Discover Wallowa County 2025 by EOMediaGroup

Welcome

Venture out to the far side of Oregon — and discover what’s so special about Wallowa County.

There is so much to see and do here in the top right corner of Oregon. Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway to the top of Mount Howard — or lace up your boots to explore the alpine meadows and granite peaks of Oregon’s largest wilderness area, the 361,446-acre Eagle Cap. Hit the slopes at Ferguson Ridge Ski Area — or cheer on the mushers during the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race. Paddle a clear-bottomed hybrid kayak on the crystal waters of Wallowa Lake — or pedal your own two- or four-person railcar on the Joseph Branch. Tour a bronze foundry, visit an art gallery — or make your own art in a class at the Josephy Center. Wallowa County can be a little hard to get to, but we think you’ll agree it’s worth the trip.

Contributing

Wallowa County

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Wallowa County

The number 82 has a special meaning throughout Wallowa County: Oregon Highway 82 is the main thoroughfare that connects the county to the outside world. And that’s why this list contains 82 suggested things to do in Wallowa County.

In fact, Highway 82 — about 71 miles from start to finish — doesn’t even begin in Wallowa County: It starts in La Grande. Only about half of the route is in Wallowa County, but you can sense something special happening when you get to Minam and enter the county.

Of course, there’s a lot more to Wallowa County than just Highway 82. That’s why this list will frequently take you away from the highway — to give you a chance to explore unexpected parts of the county.

So consider the list as a starting point — kindling, if you will, to fire up your imagination and curiosity. Because 82 things is just scratching the surface of what you can do in Wallowa County.

Ready? Let’s start, because Minam is just ahead ...

#11. Drop-camp at the Lakes Basin

Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop

Entering Wallowa County at Minam

1. Float the Wallowa River

The Minam Store has your needs covered for floating the Wallowa River or casting a line for fish. The store offers guided rafting, fly fishing and upland bird hunting on the Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers, the lower Salmon River and the Snake River through Hells Canyon. The store also operates a riverside fly shop and offers camping and rafting gear, ice cream, an espresso bar and a food truck. minamstore.com, 541-437-1111.

2. Pedal a railrider in Minam

Historic railroad tracks connect the main towns in Wallowa County and run to Minam, and since they aren’t currently used by typical trains, you can safely play on the rails thanks to the Joseph Branch Railriders. A railrider is a small pedal car that runs along the railroad tracks. There are two starting points in the county — one in Minam and one in Joseph (learn about Joseph later in this list). There are three trip options departing out of Minam ranging from three to four hours in length. Two of the trips follow along the Wallowa River to a quaint picnic spot on the river’s edge, and one takes you all the way out to the Grande Ronde/Wallowa River confluence in Rondowa, an old logging town. There is an opportunity to see all sorts of wildlife including deer, elk, many kinds of birds, foxes, snakes, bears and much more. Look for signs of old settlements on the trip to Rondowa. A guide will accompany you, and trips run from May to early October. Minam trips require advance reservations at jbrailriders.com. Learn more by calling 541-786-6149, or email jbrailriders.com for more information.

3. Hike the Bear Creek Trail

It’s a bit off the beaten path — almost 20 miles off Highway 82 — but the climb to Standley Guard Station is scenic and relatively easy, just 4.8 miles with less than a quarter-mile of elevation change. To get to the trailhead, turn south off Highway 82 a mile east of Minam onto Big Canyon Road, or USFS Road 8270. Follow the road for 10 miles, then turn left on USFS Road 50 and drive 7 more miles to the trailhead. The Guard Station itself is an old cabin that was the site of range studies in the early 1900s. The cabin is in good condition, but it’s not for public use.

#8. Visit Tamkaliks

Photo by Roger Averbeck

4. Watch Wallowa’s Fourth of July Parade

The county is full of Independence Day celebrations, and a great place to start the party is in Wallowa at the Fourth of July Parade. It’s an oldfashioned celebration that includes all your traditional parade favorites, including dozens of floats, marchers, horses, veterans, fire engines and more. The parade is a big deal in little Wallowa.

5. Visit the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitor Center

A good display of Nez Perce history can be found at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitor Center. The Wallowa Band was the group led by Chief Joseph that retreated toward freedom in Canada. The Wallowa Band of Nez Perce inhabited the entire Wallowa Valley, within and beyond county lines. The Nez Perce people (comprising more than a dozen bands) inhabited 14 million acres across modern-day Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Wallowa Band tribal members were dispersed to the Colville Reservation in Nespelem, Washington, the Nez Perce Reservation in Lapwai, Idaho, and the Umatilla Reservation near Pendleton, although some tribal members live off-reservation as well. The visitor center includes displays about the Wallowa Band of Nez Perce, their lives in the Wallowas and the Nez Perce War of 1877. The center is located at 209 E. Second St. in Wallowa and is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday or by appointment from the beginning of May to the end of September. Call 541-886-3101 or go to the website wallowanezperce.org.

6. Hike the Homeland Trail to the top of Tick Hill

On the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland grounds is a 4-mile trail that includes the summit of Tick Hill; from the top of the hill, you can take in a view of the entire valley. Interpretive markers are posted along the way. The Homeland is at 70956 Whiskey Creek Road in Wallowa.

7. Explore the Tamkaliks pedestrian bridge

Another element of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland in Wallowa is the Tamkaliks footbridge at the end of South Pine Street. This bridge crosses the Wallowa River and leads to the Homeland Project’s dance arbor and the rest of the Nez Perce Homeland site. Signs along the way explain Nez Perce history, customs, and the significance of culturally important species like salmon and lamprey.

8. Visit Tamkaliks

Take in more Native American culture and history at the annual Tamkaliks gathering, always held the third weekend in July (July 18-20 in 2025). This free three-day event features traditional songs and dances, as well as a walasit service and friendship feast. It’s an opportunity to learn about and meet members of the Joseph Band of Nez Perce. For more information about Tamkaliks, go to the website at wallowanezperce.org/tamkaliks.

9. Try a huckleberry milkshake

Little Bear Drive-In is big on taste, especially when it comes to burgers and shakes. Huckleberries are a summertime favorite and make exceptional milkshakes. Little Bear, which has been family owned and operated for decades, also builds tasty burgers made with homegrown beef from the nearby Baremore Ranch. It’s at 102 S. Madison St. in Wallowa. The phone number is 541-886-3161.

10. Hike to Maxwell Lake

The Maxwell Lake hike provides a climb into the mountain air right in the middle of the Wallowas. The trailhead is close to 18 miles south of Lostine on Upper Lostine Road. Be ready for a two-part adventure on this trek. The first 3 miles of this 4-mile hike are a cakewalk compared to the last mile, which may at times feel more like a climb than a hike as you reach the lake’s elevation of 7,749 feet. Be sure to be careful on the trip down! Great scenic views and good fishing if you bring your rod, reel and license.

11. Drop-camp at the Lakes Basin

Want to camp in the Wallowas but don’t want to put in the effort of hauling your camping gear in and out? Make some arrangements to have it packed in for you. Both Del Sol Wilderness Adventures and Wallowa Mountain Outfitters are local packers who will haul your gear into camp and can give you a horse ride to and from your destination with a little planning. This service is provided at the Two Pan Trailhead, which is at the very end of the Upper Lostine Road. The main trail takes you just over 7 miles into the Lakes Basin. Contact Del Sol at 541-398-2088 or delsolwildernessadventures.com, or reach Wallowa Mountain Outfitters at 503-750-2913 or wallowamountainoutfitters.com.

12. Visit the Blue Banana

Take your picture in the blue banana outside this quirky coffee shop, and when you order your beverage of choice, savor every drop while sitting inside the back end of the Volkswagen Beetle that “crashed” into the side of the building. You’ll find the Blue Banana at 143 Highway 82 in Lostine. The phone number is 541-569-2400.

Enterprise

13. Stop by the Wallowa County Chamber

Start your Wallowa County journey at the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, 101 W. Main St. in Enterprise. The chamber is your one-stop shop for all the details you need about visiting the county. Step into the visitor center and access a wealth of information — whether you’re looking for a local restaurant recommendation, family-friendly activities, cultural attractions or hiking trail information, the knowledgeable chamber staff is ready to help. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The website is wallowacountychamber.com.

14. Winter ice skating

If you’re visiting Wallowa County in the winter, check out the Wallowa Valley Community Ice Rink at Enterprise City Park on Depot Street. The outdoor rink is free and open for adult hockey and just about every other kind of ice-skating fun. Weather permitting, the rink is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, except for adult hockey sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 and Saturday mornings from 9 to 11.

15. Explore Sunrise Iron

Erl McLaughlin has spent almost four decades accumulating farming antiques, and they are all on display at Sunrise Iron, 65708 Sunrise Road just west of Enterprise. His display room has a range of tractors, plows, cultivators and more, and the collection includes steam-powered machinery, with some of the equipment dating back almost two centuries to the 1830s. If you’re in the county on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, you can check out the museum because it’s open to the public on that day. If you can’t make it on Aug. 2, don’t despair: Call 541-263-0755 or 541-426-4407 to set up an appointment. There is no admission fee, although donations to cover future displays are always welcome.

16. Cycle through the county

For the best information on where to cycle in the county, visit the Chamber of Commerce at 101 W. Main St. in Enterprise to pick up a map of bike routes in the region. Want to hit the trails but didn’t bring a bike? Visit Outlaw Motor Sports, 504 NW First St., or call 541-426-3491. (The website is outlawmotorsportsinc.net.) The shop is not only a prime location for a new set of spokes, but also a good place to get a repair job done. For additional information, check out the Wallowa Mountains Bicycle Club at its Facebook page or growing website (wallowamountainsbicycleclub.com).

More to do in Enteprise

17. Tour a bronze foundry

While there is plenty of bronze to be found in Joseph (we’ll get to that in the Joseph section of “82 Things”), Enterprise is no slouch when it comes to the metal, with a pair of highly respected foundries. Parks Bronze Foundry, 331 Golf Course Road, is a full-service bronze casting and molding foundry. Tours are available. Call 541-426-4595. TW Bronze Foundry, 202 Golf Course Road, is another full-service foundry with personalized tours of the gallery and foundry. Call 541-398-0380.

18. Fish at Marr Pond

This waterhole on the southwest edge of Enterprise is a great location to cast a line for stocked trout. For those who don’t want to fish but still want to take a walk without wandering into the Wallowa Mountains, the area also has plenty of trails. Marr Pond, once the site of a log pond and lumber mill, now is an easy-to-access ecological refuge that is also a great place to introduce people to fishing. To get there, drive south on Depot Street in Enterprise. Turn west onto West Alamo Street and stay on the road until it turns into Marr Pond Lane. At the end of the lane, hop out of your car and take the short walk straight ahead to the pond.

19. Make your own glass sculptures and cups

Glassblowing is a lost art in many places, but not in Wallowa County. Moonshine Glass Art in Enterprise not only has a variety of gorgeous glass art and more traditional pieces but offers classes and other opportunities to let you make your own artisan glassware. Call 541-398-1108, or stop by 624 S. River St. The website is www.moonshineglassart.com.

20. Go antiquing

Enterprise has an antique shop with everything a person could imagine — Favorite Finds on Main Antiques, located at 300 W. Main St. Sondra Lozier has an impressive collection of traditional quality antiques, country collectibles, primitives, hand-pieced quilts and vintage linen, and a large selection of books on the history of Wallowa County and the region. Follow on Facebook or call 541-426-3229.

Enterprise also offers the Soroptimist Thrift Shop at 105 NE First St. If you’re in Lostine, check out Second Hand Antiques/Antique Store at 126 Highway 82.

21. Visit the Bookloft

Books. Coffee. Snacks. Chocolate. Everything a book lover could want is at the Bookloft at 107 N. Main St. in Enterprise. It’s the ideal bookstore, with books about the history of the county, natural history, foods, and fiction and nonfiction pieces that will satisfy any reader. The Bookloft also houses the Skylight Gallery, the oldest in the county The gallery features selections from local photographers, potters, glass blowers, fiber artists, jewelers and others. Call 541-426-3351, or visit bookloft.org.

22. Golf

A nine-hole course just northwest of Enterprise, Alpine Meadows Golf Course has a pristine look and is a great escape for anyone wanting to get in a round. Take in the view of the Wallowas while you attempt to dodge sand traps and stay out of the water. Open from mid-April to mid-October. 66098 Golf Course Road. 541-426-3246, golfalpinemeadows.com.

23. Visit a Carnegie public library Enterprise is home to one of the relics of the early 1900s, a Carnegie Library. The Enterprise Public Library has been restored in detail and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 101 NE First St., 541-426-3906.

24. Visit Liza Jane’s Farmstand

It doesn’t get more local and fresh than Liza Jane’s Farmstand. The stand contains garden-fresh produce, grass-fed meats, baked goods, raw honey, eggs and much more. It all originates from the 6 Ranch, which has been in the county for 140 years and has been in the family that entire time. The farmstand is at 87161 Highway 82, about two miles west of Enterprise. For more information, go to the website 6ranch.com/local#farmstands.

25. Check out (or get) an animal

Adopt (or just pet) a kitty and shop to support the Wallowa County Humane Society. The society’s ReTail Boutique, 119 E. Main St. in Enterprise, across from the Wallowa County Courthouse, includes an enclosure where you can meet cats and kittens available for adoption, as well as high-end pre-owned clothing and many other items.

26. Make prints from digital photos

So you captured a dazzling photo and don’t want to wait till you get home to make it a print? Swing by Central Copy at 110 S. River St. in Enterprise. The staff can print photos from your cellphone or digital camera in a snap or can turn those photos into large-format prints. You can also get documents printed there. 541-426-2679.

27. Visit a quilt shop

Quilters won’t leave Wallowa County disappointed. Prairie Creek Quilts carries a large selection of fabrics and patterns. The “notion wall” carries sewing and quilting supplies and accessories you may have left at home or need to add to your collection. You can sign up for a class. The address is 107 NW Second St. in Enterprise. The phone number is 541-426-3900. The website is prairiecreekquilts.com.

28. Try an elk burger. Buffalo, perhaps? Beef?

You can only hunt elk in the fall but can bite into a scrumptious elk burger anytime in Wallowa County. Not into elk? How about buffalo? No? Want just a good burger? You’ll find what you’re looking for at Heavenly’s Restaurant in downtown Enterprise, 500 W. North St. Buffalo and grass-fed beef burgers are also on the menu at Terminal Gravity Pub, 803 SE School St. in Enterprise.

29. Walk with a Doc

Most every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., Dr. Emily Sheahan gathers a small group outside Wallowa Memorial Hospital, 601 Medical Parkway in Enterprise, and hosts a brief discussion on a health topic. Then everyone heads out on the half-mile walking path that surrounds the hospital campus. The walk is free and open to everyone and is a great way to get some exercise and meet new people.

30. Try a guided fishing tour

This is a great opportunity for new and advanced anglers alike. Veteran anglers can seek out a guide to help them find the best watering holes for hauling in fish. The newbies can learn the basics from a local pro. The Minam Store (541-437-1111, minamstore.com) offers guided fishing trips. If you’re interested in a guided trip along a 2-mile stretch of the Wallowa River that’s been restored for improved fish habitat, birds and wildlife, check out the tours offered by the 6 Ranch at 6ranch.com/outings.

31. Tour the bronze statues

Scattered throughout downtown Joseph are 18 iconic bronze statues representing the culture of Wallowa County. From Chief Joseph and other members of the Nez Perce Tribe to bucking bronc riders to animals (cougars and eagles among them) to women of the West, there is plenty to take in on a stroll through town.

Favorite Finds on Main

32. See the Wallowas by air

The Wallowa Lake Tramway (which shows up later in this list) offers perhaps the most well-known, up-close look at the Wallowas, but pilot Joe Spence can provide an unparalleled view from above with his flights over the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon. Want to camp in a highly remote, beautiful location? Spence can fly you in and back out. Contact Spence Air Service at 541-426-3288.

33. Tour Valley Bronze

After you’ve seen all the statues, Valley Bronze of Oregon invites you to tour its production facility and see how an artist’s masterpiece is cast into metal. Tours are available once a day, at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday at 307 Alder St. in Joseph. Cost of the tour is $15 per person, with children 10 and under free. Reserve a spot by calling 541-432-7551.

34. Shop the farmers market

Downtown Joseph comes alive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday for the farmers market. Farm-fresh produce, crafts, meats, recipes and more are available for purchase. In addition, the market features handcrafted items, artisanware and music. The market is open from Memorial Day weekend to October.

35. Visit Josephy Center exhibits

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St., is the art center of Wallowa County. Named for World War II combat journalist Alvin Josephy, the center showcases regional artists and offers art classes for youth, adults and families. The center has a variety of displays and thematic art shows throughout the year. The museum features the work of local artists and artisans, and a large selection of books. Want to learn more about the Nez Perce Tribe? Wander upstairs to find a display about Chief Joseph’s band — Wal’ma Nimiipuu — as well as the Josephy Library and a lending library about the tribe, its culture and its history. The website is josephy.org.

36. Take a Josephy Center class

If you feel inspired after seeing the art, photos and more on display in the Josephy Center, sign up for a class! The center offers classes on painting, drawing and photography. You can also learn printmaking, attempt to make a wood sculpture, or try out night-sky photography. For more details, visit josephy.org.

37. Explore the Wallowa County Museum

On the other end of Main Street in Joseph is the Wallowa County Museum (110 S. Main St.), which is rife with history on nature, the West, cowboy lore, and exhibits featuring the history of the Nez Perce and pioneers in the county. There is even animal history on site. The museum is open from the last weekend in May through the end of September. The museum also offers private tours for groups and schoolchildren and has a digital archive for family history research. The museum is closed during the winter, but visits can be arranged by emailing the curator at wallowacountymuseum@gmail.com. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and older) and $2 for students. Children 6 and under are free. 541-432-6095.

38. Visit Wallowology

It’s hard to say, but fun to explore. First off, it’s pronounced “wal-owOL-ogy.” It’s a natural history center for all ages featuring exhibits about animals, land, ecology and more. Exhibits include information on salmon, lamprey, sturgeon, forests, geology and pollinators. There is also an activity room for children of all ages featuring microscopes, fossils, rocks, plants, bugs and more. Check out the center’s store, which has maps, books, magnifying glasses, nature-related toys and other items. The website is www.wallowology.org. The address is 508 N. Main St. in Joseph.

#32. See the Wallowas by air

Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop

More to do in Joseph

39. Go for a Discovery Walk

Among the features Wallowology provides are free Discovery Walks led by local nature experts by appointment. Other Discovery Walks will be scheduled throughout the year; keep an eye on wallowology.org for information about those. The website also will offer information about outings, half-day adventures with scientists and science and culture presentations at Wallowology and the Wallowa Lake Lodge. The website wallowology.org has all the details, including dates and times.

40. Tour art galleries in Joseph

The Josephy Center is not the only center for art in Joseph. In fact, the town includes several art galleries, most of which feature work from wellknown local and regional artists. The galleries include Valley Bronze (307 W. Alder St.), the Phinney Gallery of Fine Art (17 S. Main St.), Stewart Jones Design jewelry studio (hours by appointment; text 541-786-7159), the Element Art Gallery (2 S. Main St.), Aspen Grove Gallery (602 N. Main St.) and others. Valley Bronze features bronze (and other) sculptures, as well as paintings and photographs. Phinney’s display includes ceramic art, sculptures and paintings, and much of the work was created by owner Malcolm Phinney. Aspen Grove’s walls are lined with oil paintings, watercolor paintings, sculptures and more. The art is primarily by owners Mark Kortnik and Carol M. Kortnik, though work by other artists is on display.

41. Visit Stein Distillery

Looking for a taste of adventure in town? Discover Stein Distillery, 604 Main St. in Joseph. For over a decade, Stein has been crafting spirits from grains grown exclusively on its farm in Wallowa County. Dive into its lineup of cordials — rhubarb, raspberry, blackberry and elderberry — plus handcrafted cocktails. Stop by the visitors’ room for tastings of its pioneering bourbon whiskey, authentic rye whiskey, and smooth SteinShine moonshine. Tours available with advance notice. Call 541-432-2009 to plan your visit.

42. Pedal the rails in Joseph

There are several rail-bike trips out of the Joseph Branch Railriders’ location in Joseph, including a new “Golden Hour” evening trip offering great opportunities for amazing photos. There’s only a handful of the evening trips available, so if you want to be on one, snatch up a spot quickly. These trips are 75 minutes long. Daytime trips include one about an hour long and one about two hours long. These trips offer views of the pristine Wallowa Mountains, dense forests, local wildlife and much more. A guide will accompany you on your trip. A bonus of riding out of Joseph is the Railriders have electric assist, and there are also a couple of four-person cars available. Trips run from May to early October. Visit jbrailriders.com to learn more and book tickets; call 541-786-6149 for automated info.

43. Get the fishing scoop

Rainbows, steelhead, bull trout — the Joseph Fly Shoppe has the right fly for you. In business for more than 30 years, owner Rob Lamb has helped hundreds of people get started in the sport. Nobody knows the local streams and lakes better. Visit the shop seven days a week, May through December, at 203 N. Main St. in Joseph. Check out the store’s website, josephflyshoppe.com, or call 541-432-4343.

44. Corral the right gear

The Sports Corral, 401 N. Main St. in Joseph, is a mecca for folks looking to get an authentic feel for Wallowa County. The store has an array of fishing gear, sporting gear, Western gear and clothing. It’s also the place to go for firearms and ammunition. Call 541-432-4363 or visit sportscorral.com.

45. Go to Arrowhead Chocolates

If you are a chocolate fan, Arrowhead Chocolates is a must-stop location. The store has an array of handcrafted chocolates and has twice won the national Good Foods Award for its huckleberry and espresso truffles. Arrowhead carries milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and interesting and unique flavors, like a habanero-lime caramel truffle with lime fresca sea salt. It’s also a great place for a cup of coffee on the way to explore the town. Its location at 4 S. Main St. in Joseph has a laid-back feel. For more information, visit arrowheadchocolates.com.

46. Get customized leather

footwear

Established in 2011, Alkahest Leather is a homespun, one-man show specializing in custom-made leather footwear, hip and shoulder bags and other accessories. Each pair of shoes or boots is entirely customized, beginning with a tape-casting of the foot. You choose the colors, buttons, soles, designs and so forth. For footwear, it simply doesn’t get more personalized and healthful than this. The fit feels like a second skin, like a moccasin — molding to the feet and allowing them to move, behave and operate as they were meant to. For questions, call Dustin Lyons at 509240-0603 or email alkahestleather@yahoo.com. You can also check out the website www.alkahestleather.com or come by the workshop at the foot of Chief Joseph Mountain (61111 Ski Run Road, Joseph).

47. Uncover hidden treasures — and take them home

Strike it big on a unique mine cart-inspired panning sluice at Minecart Panning, 501 W. Alder St. in Joseph at the foot of the glorious Wallowa Mountains. Tap into your inner rockhound, paleontologist, or prospector as you pan for raw gemstones, fossils, petrified wood, gold and more. Panning is a fun, memorable and educational experience that keeps you coming back for more. You’re guaranteed to find amazing treasures, and you get to take home everything you uncover, so there’s keepsakes for everyone. Panning isn’t just for the kids; adults find the activity soothing and rewarding. Who doesn’t like finding hidden treasures? Minecart Panning is affordable, fun for all ages, and is wheelchair-friendly. Operating from May to October. Visit minecartpanning.com for the schedule and more information.

#42. Pedal the rails in Joseph Photo by JB Railriders

At Wallowa Lake

48. Keep an eye out for Wally

Wally is the region’s version of the Loch Ness Monster, lurking somewhere in the depths of Wallowa Lake. Tales of sightings of the mythical creature date back more than 130 years — with a story in one of the earliest editions of the Chieftain detailing an encounter. According to legend, the Nez Perce Tribe avoided venturing out on the lake after it caused the death of their chief’s daughter. There have been strange encounters reported off and on in the years since. Is he out there? And can you find him?

49. Paddle Wallowa Lake in a clear kayak

Joseph Oregon Paddle (JO Paddle) offers an opportunity to kayak on Wallowa Lake while seeing everything above, around and even below you while riding in clear-bottomed hybrid kayaks (part canoe, part kayak). These transparent watercraft, made of polycarbonate, give you the chance to not only take in the scenic Wallowa Mountains directly around the lake, but to peer through the bottom of the kayak into the depths below. They can be rented and delivered ready to launch on the north end of Wallowa Lake. Stand-up paddleboards also are available. Guided nighttime tours are available Thursday through Sunday, and a guided morning tour is available on scheduled days. Reservations for tours or daily rentals can be made four days a week, Thursday through Sunday. Visit jopaddle.com for more details. Or visit Joseph Oregon Paddle’s storefront at 9A South Main St. in Joseph. You can also call directly for reservations or questions at 541-886-0086.

50. Ride a gondola to the mountaintop

For more than half a century, the Wallowa Lake Tramway has been offering an easy way to feel like you are on top of the world — or, at least, near the top of the Wallowa Mountains — without the strain of hiking there. The tramway provides a quick trip to the top of Mount Howard in a gondola. Hop in at the south end of Wallowa Lake, and in a matter of minutes you’ll be transported 3,700 feet to the summit of Mount Howard, taking in the breathtaking views of the lake below and the mountains surrounding you. The Summit Grill — at an elevation of roughly 8,150 feet — numerous hiking trails and the crisp, thin air of the mountains await once you reach the top of the peak. Couples have even exchanged their vows at the top of Mount Howard. The season runs from mid-May through September. Visit wallowalaketramway.com for more details or for tickets.

51. Horseback rides

Want a different way — other than by foot or by air — to explore the Wallowa Mountains? How about on horseback? Or want the use of a pack mule to do the heavy lifting while you take in the scenery? The Wallowa Lake Pack Station offers rides for all ages and skill levels, including rides around the property, mountain trail rides and half-day and all-day rides to Aneroid Lake. The company also offers gear drops and deluxe camping adventures. For more information, including prices and locations, visit https://www. wallowalakepackstation.com. The phone number is 541-432-7433 (RIDE).

52. Visit the shops at Wallowa Lake Village

Coffee, gifts, souvenirs, snacks, ice cream and even dinner are available throughout the village, and all the shops are within walking distance of the campground and vacation locations.

53. Rent a kayak, paddle boat or paddleboard

If you can’t resist getting out on the water, paddleboards, kayaks and paddle boats can be rented at the Wallowa Lake Marina to get you on crystal-blue Wallowa Lake. For reservations or for more information, call the marina office at 541-432-9115 or visit wallowalakemarina.com. You’ll find the marina on the south shore of the lake, in Wallowa Lake State Park.

#48. Keep an eye out for Wally

Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop

More to do at Wallowa Lake

54. Photograph the lake and its surroundings

Wallowa Lake — and really, most locations throughout the county — provides views of the region’s breathtaking beauty that should be appealing to any photographer’s eye. The north end of the lake is among the best spots, with the lake and the peaks of the Wallowa Mountains in the background.

55. Play disc golf at Wallowa Lake State Park

A nine-hole disc golf course was installed in 2019 at Wallowa Lake State Park, at the south end of the lake between the campground and the Wallowa River. It’s a short course — the longest hole is 280 feet and the entire course is just 2,000 feet, according to pdga.com. You can bring your own discs or get some provided by the park.

56. Hike Iwetemlaykin

The “Place by the Lake” or “at the edge of the lake,” as the Nez Perce word translates to, is a state heritage site that, according to the Oregon State Parks website, was part of the Nez Perce Tribe’s homeland and is a sacred place for the Nez Perce and other area tribes. During the summer and fall they harvested sockeye salmon as they made their annual return to the lake. The trails lead to and beyond nearby ponds and, if you are careful, quiet and fortunate, could provide an opportunity to spot wildlife.

57. Play a round of mini-golf

The area around Wallowa Lake offers mini-golf courses, including Eagle Cap Chalets at 59879 Wallowa Lake Highway and Mountain Pines Adventure Golf in the Matterhorn Village, 59950 Wallowa Lake Highway. There’s also a mini-golf course at Wallowa Valley Karts at Wallowa Lake. Each course offers its own fun challenges.

58. Wet a line

World-record kokanees and mackinaws have been harvested at Wallowa Lake. In fact, the Wallowa County resident who holds the record for the largest mackinaw — a 36.5-pound behemoth — hooked multiple 30-pluspounders recently. Fishing is a way of life in Wallowa County, and while a lot of the attention focuses on the lake, that’s just one of countless water bodies in the county where individuals can cast a line. Fishing gear and boats are available for rent at the Wallowa Lake Marina on the south end of the lake, where you can also buy fishing licenses.

59. Take a spin in a go-kart

Rev it up at the go-kart track at Wallowa Valley Karts at Wallowa Lake. Single-rider and double-rider go-karts are available — along with minigolf, ping-pong, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball. 541-432-9285.

60. Swim in the lake

During the heat of the summer, Wallowa Lake has safe places to take a brisk swim and cool off. On the north end, visit the Wallowa Lake Park outside Joseph, and on the south end, go to Wallowa Lake State Park. A word to the wise: The lake is fed by mountain water, and even in the summer it will be colder than your typical swim.

61. Visit Old Chief Joseph’s grave

Old Joseph (Tiwi-teqis) was the father of the famed Chief Joseph of Nez Perce War repute. He died in January 1871 — six years before his son led the Nez Perce people in their running fight against the U.S. Army forces — and is buried along the northwest side of the lake at Nez Perce National Historic Park. His bones were exhumed in August 1926 and a month later were reburied at their current location. An interpretive sign tells more about the man who led the Wallowa Nez Perce before you take the short trail to where he is interred.

62. Attend “Shake the Lake”

If you are in Wallowa County on Independence Day, the “Shake the Lake” fireworks show is a must. The entire county turns out for this annual fireworks extravaganza and party, so get to Wallowa Lake early, find a good spot to park and enjoy the festivities. The fireworks, which start at dark, are set off from a barge located at the north end of the lake. (Increasingly, attendees are bringing their own fireworks and igniting them on the shores of the lake in what amounts to an opening act.) The dazzling show not only lights up the night sky, but also booms off the surrounding Wallowa Mountains.

63. Check out a rodeo

Rodeo culture runs deep in Wallowa County; in fact, the biggest single event each year is \Chief Joseph Days, which brings thousands of folks to the town of Joseph. The 2025 Chief Joseph Days is scheduled for July 24-27. (The website is chiefjosephdays.com.) If you can’t make Chief Joseph Days, consider an earlier rodeo, the 20th annual Mountain High Broncs and Bulls, scheduled for June 2025. Admission to Mountain High Broncs and Bulls is free. (The website is mountainhighrodeo.com.) Both rodeos take place at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave. in Joseph.

#62. Attend “Shake the Lake”

Photo by Roger Averbeck

Flora/Troy

64. Joseph Canyon Overlook

The county gives access to Hells Canyon, Imnaha Canyon and a third, less well-known but also stunning gorge — Joseph Canyon. The canyon of Joseph Creek is part of the Nez Perce Homeland and holds the cave where Chief Joseph was born. The canyon is about 4,500 feet deep, and the overlook offers information about the canyon and the Nez Perce. The U.S. Forest Service viewpoint is about 30 miles north of Enterprise on Highway 3.

65. Visit Troy

Troy is well off the beaten path — the county’s northernmost town is roughly an hour away from Enterprise, less than 7 miles from the Washington state line. But the town sits right at the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Wenaha rivers, and has a tavern, restaurant, hotel and a vacation rental. The Troy Trailhead to the west of town provides access to several somewhat lengthy routes in the Umatilla National Forest, and Grizzly Flats Campground is just west of the town. To find Troy, head north on Highway 3 out of Enterprise past the Joseph Canyon Overlook. Take a left on Flora Lane, follow it until you pass through Flora, then take another left and continue to follow the road to Redmond Grade Lane. This windy road eventually takes you across the Grande Ronde River. You can either cross the river and then take a left into Troy, or follow the Redmond Grade to Country Road, then hang a right and make your way to the town.

66. Check out the Flora School

This school has been closed since 1960, after an early 20th-century boom in the tiny town dwindled. The massive school building, which opened in 1915, is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been partially restored, and is the centerpiece of June’s Flora School Days. This event is a fundraiser for school restoration and an opportunity to teach visitors about the pioneer lifestyle. The 2025 edition of Flora Days is planned for June 21 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features in-person demonstrations, competitions, town and school tours and more. Previous Flora School Days have featured blacksmithing, wool dyeing, dutch-oven cooking and spinning, weaving and sewing. The Flora School Library is open Thursdays or by appointment. For more details, visit https://floraschool.org.

#64. Joseph Canyon Overlook

Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop

More in-county adventures

#68. Hike the Hurricane Creek Trail

Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop

67. Take in a concert or musical performance

It seems just about every week during the summer there is music in the air. The Courthouse Concert series in Enterprise runs from June through August and has performances every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Attend an all-day music event such as the Juniper Jam, which specializes in original music by a variety of performers. Keep an eye out for the monthly Tunesmith Night, which features singer-songwriters performing their songs in a round-robin format. Or take in Oregon’s Alpenfest in late September. And keep an eye out for local and regional musicians performing at locations like the Josephy Center, Terminal Gravity, the Range Rider and the Summit Cafe atop Mount Howard.

68. Hike the Hurricane Creek Trail

Here is an opportunity for an easily accessible hike that also happens to be an exceptional one. Where Hurricane Creek Road (USFS Road 8205) ends — about 7.5 miles out of Enterprise — the trail begins. A short 3-mile hike takes you to Slick Rock and a waterfall rolling over the cliff. The jaunt also gives a great view of Hurricane Divide and Sacajawea Peak, which at 9,843 feet is the highest point in the Wallowa Mountains. You can either call it there and return to the trailhead for a good 6-mile adventure, or venture further in. The full distance of the trail, 12 miles, eventually connects to the Lakes Basin trails. U.S. Forest Service data shows the total hike in from the trailhead to the Lakes Basin has an elevation gain of close to 2,600 feet. This single trail offers plenty of other opportunities, including fishing, other trails to hike, wildlife viewing, camping and more. Don’t forget your Northwest Forest Pass for trailhead parking and remember to fill out a wilderness permit at the trailhead.

69. Explore Oregon’s highest lake

Crater Lake in the Cascade Mountain Range is known for its depth, but Legore Lake boasts a different distinction — it’s the highest lake in Oregon, at 8,950 feet. This hike is a steep challenge — both literally and figuratively — with 4,000 feet of elevation increase in 4 miles. To start this hike, turn off Hurricane Creek Trail a quarter-mile from the trailhead onto Falls Creek Trail (1807A). The rugged footpath takes you past the defunct Legore Mine, and could lead to an encounter with mountain goats or bighorn sheep. You’ll definitely feel you’ve accomplished something if you reach the summit, but should the hike prove to be too much, there are plenty of breathtaking views to stop and take in along the way as consolation prizes.

70. Camp at Hurricane Creek Campground

A small campground along Hurricane Creek that, indeed, offers true camping: No crowds, no camp hosts, no reservations. But there are just eight campsites on the grounds. If you can find an open site, it’s a worthwhile, quiet escape from the rest of the world. To get there, drive west from Joseph on Airport Road to Hurricane Creek Road. Drive an additional 4 miles to the U.S. Forest Service boundary, where the campground is located.

Aspen Grove GALLERY

Discover 82 things to do in Wallowa County

Even more in-county adventures

71. Explore Zumwalt Prairie Preserve

The Nature Conservancy owns about 33,000 acres of the Zumwalt Prairie. This part of the preserve is not only used for rare, raffle-won guided hunts, but is a great area to hike and explore. It’s about 15 miles north of Enterprise on Zumwalt Road and is covered in wildflowers in May and June. There are numerous hiking trails. Wildlife abounds, so keep your eyes peeled for elk, coyotes, hawks and more. You’ll likely see plenty of cattle, too, as they graze on the preserve lands. To get there, travel from Enterprise to Joseph, and about 3 miles down the road turn left onto Crow Creek Road. After 5 miles, turn right on Zumwalt/Buckhorn Road. Go 14 more miles to the junction of Zumwalt/ Buckhorn and Duckett roads.

For help exploring, find a map of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve in Enterprise at the Nature Conservancy’s office at 906 S. River St. You can call the office at 541-426-3458, or visit nature.org and search for Zumwalt Prairie. You’ll have to leave your four-legged friends at home for this trip.

72. Hike Harsin Butte

One trail on the Zumwalt worth considering is the Harsin Butte Trail. It’s a short trail that’s worth the trip. To get there, once at the above-mentioned Zumwalt/Buckhorn and Duckett junction, turn right on Duckett. Travel to the next road junction, then take a right on Road 676. Just a quarter-mile ahead is the trailhead sign. The Nature Conservancy’s website says this hike is just 0.8 miles in and out, has a 700-foot gain in elevation and is “a bit of a scramble.” But the trip ends at the top of an extinct volcano and offers a stunning view of the Wallowa Mountains and the Seven Devils range in Idaho.

73. Visit Buckhorn Overlook

This is a trek further north into the county, but a worthwhile one with a stunning view. Travel about 25 miles past the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve — about 40 miles out of Enterprise — until you reach Forest Service land. At that point, the road becomes USFS Road 46. Continue about 8 miles until you see a sign for the Buckhorn Overlook. Turn right onto USFS Road 780, and drive about another mile to the overlook. Not only do you get views of the Imnaha River Canyon, the Wallowa Mountains and the Seven Devils Mountains, but you may catch a look all the way to the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho.

74. Visit the fire tower at Red Hill

Complete the loop back to Enterprise by heading from Buckhorn back onto USFS 46. The road heads north, then turns south and west. About 20 miles past Buckhorn is an inactive fire tower that is a good place to visit and also has a lookout. Jump back on USFS 46 and stay on the road until it meets Highway 3, then proceed 12 miles back to Enterprise.

75. Hike the Tenderfoot Trail

A trip down USFS Road 39 provides access to many hiking adventures in the southeast corner of the county. This has everything from easy day trips to lengthier treks for those who want to stay in the forest and camp while they explore. For this first one, head east out of Joseph on Highway 350, then turn onto Forest Road 39 and drive about 14 miles to USFS 100 (which is a sharp right turn near Big Sheep Creek); the trailhead is near the end of the road. The hike itself is about 5 miles, but it starts at a higher elevation, so reaching the top of the Wallowas isn’t nearly the challenge it is from elsewhere in the county.

76. Camp along the Imnaha River

For a backwoods adventure deeper in the forest, stay on USFS 39 and, after navigating some curves, twists and turns, you’ll come upon the Imnaha River or one of its many offshoots in the Wallowas (including Gumboot, Blackhorse and Dry creeks). Ollokot and Blackhorse campgrounds are both right along the Imnaha, and both only about 35-40 miles away from Joseph.

77. Hike to Blue Hole and the Imnaha headwaters

If you pass Ollokot Campground, you can take a turn onto USFS 3960 to venture even further into the mountains. (You can also access this road from USFS 140, or Cloverdale Road). This route takes you to either Hidden Campground or, near its end, Indian Crossing Campground, both also along the Imnaha. At the latter campground is Indian Creek Trailhead, which leads you to Trail 1816 back upstream along the Imnaha. Two miles up the trail is Blue Hole, a blue pool in the river with sheer rock walls around it. The trail can take you all the way to the Imnaha River headwaters at Hawkins Pass, some 20 miles away.

78. Visit Hells Canyon Overlook

We promise, this is the last adventure off of USFS 39 that we’ll mention here (though there are plenty more). Stay on the road past Ollokot Campground for about 3½ miles, then take a left onto Forest Road 490. A couple of miles farther takes you to the Hells Canyon Overlook for yet another view of the gorge.

79. Visit the Imnaha Store & Tavern

If you decide to stay on Highway 350 rather than venture into the forest, you’ll make your way to the small town of Imnaha, about 26 miles from Joseph. This is one of the routes to access the northern end of Hells Canyon, but along the way, the historic Imnaha Store & Tavern is worth a stop. The tavern, which opened in 1904, is one of the oldest continuously operated businesses in the county. The kitchen is famous for its frog legs and chicken gizzards. There is a veterans’ wall, which a vet can sign and get a free beverage for their service, and you can learn about the tradition of pinning dollar bills to the ceiling — and do so yourself. Every couple of years, the money is split between the winner of a drawing and the local school.

80. Visit Hat Point Overlook

Hat Point is the highest portion of Hells Canyon on the Oregon side, at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet. However, the trek there from Imnaha is not a simple one. It’s more than 20 miles of winding, narrow gravel roads, full of potholes and washouts to be mindful of. A four-wheel-drive vehicle with good clearance is advised. But the trip is worth it. There are several grand vistas along the way, and at the end of the drive, another top-notch view of the country’s deepest canyon.

81. Travel the Imnaha Trail

This is another trip you will definitely want a reliable rig to make, as it is about 28 miles on mostly gravel roads. Drive north from Imnaha on the Lower Imnaha Road, and about 6 miles in take a left on Fence Line Creek Road. Then take a right on Fence Line Road and onto USFS Roads 975, 46 and 780. The road takes you through narrow passageways through the Imnaha River Canyon and leads to the trailhead. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a must. The trail leads to Hells Canyon and Eureka Bar on the Snake River, just 4.5 miles down the trail.

82. Explore Dug Bar

Just downstream from Eureka Bar is Dug Bar. This location has some historical significance, as it is where Chief Joseph’s Band crossed the Snake River as they eluded U.S. Army forces in 1877. Travel from Imnaha as if you were going to Eureka Bar, but about 6 miles in, rather than hanging a left, turn onto Dug Bar Road, or USFS Road 4260. Your destination is about 23 miles away on the Snake River. Like the route to Eureka Bar, this is one you’ll want a four-wheel-drive vehicle for. While there are at least three different hiking trails available, it’s also a popular spot to cast a fishing line or get on the water in a boat.

#81. Travel the Imnaha Trail

Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop

2025-26 Calendar of Events

April 2025

Wallowa Valley Youth Arts Festival

April 12-21, 2025

This annual event features a display of artwork, lots of award ribbons, hands-on activities, and musical performances by area youths. Art from Wallowa County youth from kindergarten through high school will be on display at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N Main St. in Joseph. Website: josephy.org.

May 2025

Eagle Cap Excursion Train

May 6-Oct. 25, 2025

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train runs on the Wallowa Union Railroad and offers scenic trips along the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers. The 2025 schedule starts May 6 and runs through Oct. 25. A full season is planned, with a variety of themes. For more information, call 541-437-3652 from 9 a.m. until noon weekdays, or visit the website at eaglecaptrainrides.com.

Hurricane Creek Half-Marathon

May 24, 2025

Joseph City Park, 8 a.m. to noon. Kick off summer with a half-marathon, 5 mile, 5K or 1-mile kids run. Registration at www.runnersofthesage.com. The races start at Joseph City Park and run toward the Hurricane Creek Trailhead. This is also an opportunity to donate to the Wallowa Land Trust. Website: www. runnersofthesage.com

June 2025

Courthouse Concert Series

June 25-Aug. 28, 2025

For the 19th consecutive year, the Wallowa County Music Alliance presents this concert series on the lawn of the Wallowa County Courthouse, 101 S. River St., Enterprise. Each Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the community gathers for a free 90-minute performance by local and regional musicians in a variety of genres, including classical, folk, jazz and rock. 541-426-3390. Email: info@wvmusicalliance.org.

Flora School Days

June 21, 2025

Flora School Education Center, 80974 College Lane, Flora. This annual fundraiser for the Flora School Education Center showcases old-time pioneer skills, including a blacksmithing contest that starts at 7 a.m. with other activities beginning at 9 a.m., a Dutch oven lunch at noon and a 2 p.m. auction. Contact Vanessa Thompson, 541-828-7010. Website: www.floraschool.org.

Mountain High Broncs & Bulls

June 21, 2025

This annual free rodeo, scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. on June 21, celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2025 and promises big names and big fun. It’s held at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave. in Joseph. Contact: Lee Daggett, 541-426-5380. Website: mountainhighrodeo.com/.

Wallowa Mountain Cruise Car Show

June 20-21 2025

The county’s first car event races to Joseph on June 20, with the Ragman Memorial Cruise, and live music at a Friday night dance near the Joseph Community Events Center and again on Main Street on Saturday near the cars. Website: wallowamountaincruise.com.

Woodlands and Watershed Festival

June 27, 2025

After 18 years of putting on the Watershed Festival and 14 years of putting on the Maxville Gathering, Wallowa Resources and Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center are combining efforts once again to present the Woodlands and Watershed Festival. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St. in Enterprise. Website: wallowaresources.com/index.php/what-we-do/ education/watershed-festival.

Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas

June 29-July 5, 2025

Learn how to play the dulcimer during a weeklong adult music camp that draws students from across the country. Instructors are nationally known and teach all levels of students. Contact Heidi Muller at 304-382-9422 or email walllowadulcimer@gmail.com. Website: wallowadulcimer.com.

Wallowa Old Time Fourth of July Parade

Photo by Roger Averbeck

Check out Go! Eastern Oregon

Published weekly in the East Oregonian, GO! EO is a good source of updated calendar information and can be accessed at the Wallowa County Chieftain’s website, wallowa.com.

July 2025

Lostine River Run

July 6, 2025

Run along the picturesque Lostine River into the town, with 10K, 5K and 1 mile options. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wallowa County. Information: www. facebook.com/RotaryClubofWallowaCo/.

Wallowa Old Time Fourth of July Parade

July 4, 2025

This annual event brings out the whole town. The highlight is the parade through the city of Wallowa at 11 a.m., followed by a citywide barbecue at the Wallowa Fire Hall. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 541-886-2422 for information. The website is cityofwallowa.weebly.com.

Shake the Lake fireworks show

July 4, 2025

The jewel of the Wallowa Mountains, Wallowa Lake, makes a perfect setting to view this classic Independence Day event featuring a spectacular fireworks show. Fireworks begin after dark. It all takes place around the lake.

Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Workshop

July 6-11, 2025

The Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Camp was begun in 2005 with the goal of offering affordable group instruction for individuals and families in a relaxed weeklong camp format. Participating in a musical community through music and dance has resulted in the addition of instruction in other stringed instruments as well as techniques of ensemble participation. Website: wvmusicalliance.org/wftc-2025/.

Summer Fishtrap 2025

July 7-14, 2025

Come to Wallowa Lake and get some writing done at the 38th Summer Fishtrap gathering of writers. Workshops, craft talks, panel discussions, readings and more take place under the pines at Wallowa Lake Lodge and include some of the best writers and teachers in the West. Website: fishtrap.org.

Wallowa County Fly-in

July 11-12, 2025

The Northeast Oregon Aviation Foundation is sponsoring a fundraising dinner with live music at the Joseph Airport, 83838 Airport Lane, at 5:30 p.m. July 11. The annual fly-in and air show are scheduled for July 12. For more information and to order banquet tickets, go to the website wallowacountyflyin.com/.

Courthouse Concert Series — Photo by Roger Averbeck

2025-26 Calendar of Events

33rd Annual Tamkaliks Celebration

July 18-20, 2025

Each July, the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland becomes a place of reunion for descendants of the original inhabitants of Wallowa County. Year after year, participants are treated to three days of singing and dancing. The celebration climaxes with a walasit religious service and friendship feast. Descendants, locals and visitors attend together. Big-ticket raffle items include a buffalo hide and a Pendleton blanket each year. The address is 70956 Whiskey Creek Road in Wallowa. 541-886-3101. Free camping. Recreational vehicles and tents are welcome. Website: www.wallowanezperce.org/.

Chief Joseph Days Ranch Rodeo

July 22-27, 2025

An action-packed PRCA rodeo and six days of Western entertainment are featured at the annual Chief Joseph Days. The little town of Joseph swells during the event, welcoming more than 10,000 visitors over the six-day celebration. Highlights include the Grand Parade down Main Street, the Nez Perce Friendship Feast, and music and dancing after the rodeo. Most events take place in the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave. in Joseph. Website: chiefjosephdays.com/.

August 2025

Wallowa County Fair

Aug. 1-9, 2025

It’s an old-fashioned county fair in Enterprise, and a showcase for the county’s 4-H clubs. Highlights include a dog show, a horse show, a livestock and small animal herdsmanship show and the annual Fat Stock Sale. Info: 541-426-4097. Website: extension.oregonstate.edu/wallowa/fair.

Sunrise Iron Open House

Aug. 2, 2025

Every year, wheat farmer Erl McLaughlin opens the huge doors on his showroom for one day to share his collection of over 100 tractors, plows, cultivators and other agricultural machinery from the early 1900s. Erl also has artwork made from steel wheels and other antique pieces. Open house hours on Aug. 2 are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tours can be arranged by reservation on other days. The address is 65708 Sunrise Road in Enterprise. Contact McLaughlin at 541-263-0755. Website: www. sunriseironllc.com/.

OK Fest

Aug. 1-2, 2025

The OK Fest returns with a lineup of stellar performances to celebrate the refurbishment of the OK Theater. Details are yet to be announced, but fans of historic theater buildings might want to save the dates (Aug. 1-2) to see what is in store at the OK Theater. Additional performers are also scheduled throughout the summer (dates yet to be determined). The OK Theater is located at 208 W. Main Street in downtown Enterprise. Website: www.theoldok.com.

Main Street Show & Shine

Aug. 15-16, 2025

This annual car cruise is based in Enterprise, at 303 W. North St. The weekend begins Friday with registration, a cruise to Imnaha Store and Tavern, and music in Warde Park. On Saturday the Enterprise Elks will serve breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. in front of Main Street Motors. Vehicles will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with awards announced at 2:30 p.m. and a cruise by area senior residences. Contacts: Doug Crow, 541-426-2100, and Candy Bunn, 541-263-1369. Website: mainstreetshowandshine.com.

Juniper Jam Music Festival

Aug. 30, 2025

This festival puts the emphasis on original songwriting (although performers have been known to sneak in a cover tune or two) and usually features artists from a variety of musical genres. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the gate; children 12 and under get in for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Gates open at 11 a.m. and music continues to around 10 p.m. It takes place at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St. in Enterprise. Website: juniperjam.com.

September 2025

Hells Canyon Mule Days

Sept. 5-7, 2025

This annual event draws mules and muleskinners (their drivers) to the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St. in Enterprise, on the weekend after Labor Day. This year’s show includes three days of events that include classes for every age group and skill level. It’s a family event: Youngsters enjoy competing and showing their mulemanship abilities as much as the older contestants. The event features artisans and exhibitors, cowboy poetry, a non-motorized parade, pit barbecue dinner, a private treaty mule sale, a concert and a Dutch oven cook-off. Contact: Sondra Lozier, 541-426-3271. Website: hellscanyonmuledays.com.

Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts

Sept. 19-22, 2025

The annual festival is the largest fine art exhibition in Eastern Oregon. A highlight is the opening night artists’ reception at the Josephy Center for Arts & Culture, 403 N Main St. in Joseph. Contact: Cheryl Coughlan: 541-432-0505. Website: www.josephy.org.

Oregon’s Alpenfest

Sept. 23-28, 2025

This annual Swiss-Bavarian cultural festival features local bratwurst, Terminal Gravity brews, live music, dance performances, free polka lessons and art, craft and gift shopping. The ceremonial tapping of the first keg takes place at Terminal Gravity, 803 School St. in Enterprise. Other events take place at the Joseph Community Events Center, 102 E First St. in Joseph. Website: www.oregonalpenfest.com.

October 2025

Witches’ Paddle

Oct. 25, 2025

Dress up in your finest witch attire and meet at Wallowa Lake as other “witches” meet to paddleboard on the lake. Launch is 11:30 a.m. Afterward enjoy hot cocoa, tea and treats.

Chief Joseph Days

Photo by Roger Averbeck

November 2025

Jingle Thru Joseph

Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 4-5, 2025

The annual Jingle Thru Joseph Holiday Bazaar typically takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving and is happening again this year at the Joseph Community Events Center, 102 E. Second St. in Joseph. The halls will be decked out as Main Street businesses throughout Joseph compete in the annual lighting contest. A Christmas light parade will begin as the town will be humming with shopping, music, lights, open houses, Santa sightings and more. A second round of festivities takes place Dec. 4-5 at the same location.

December 2025

Winterfest Celebration

Date TBA

Downtown Enterprise becomes a winter wonderland for this all-day winter festival. Shop for gifts, meet and take a photo with Santa, listen to (or sing along with) carolers, stay warm at one of the burning barrels and try a roasted chestnut. The day caps off with a lighted winter parade through downtown Enterprise.

Your weekly guide to Eastern Oregon Arts, Entertainment & Events GoEasternOregon.com

Wallowa County events updates

The Wallowa Chamber of Commerce also features a frequently updated calendar of events on its website at wallowacountychamber.com

January 2026

Polar Plunge

Jan. 1, 2026

Participants in this annual tradition greet the new year with a quick dip in the chilly waters of Wallowa Lake. Bathers gather at the north end of the lake and dive (or gingerly wade) in at 10 a.m. sharp.

Eagle Cap Extreme Dates TBA

Oregon’s only Iditarod and Yukon Quest qualifier, the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race runs through the rugged Wallowa Mountains in Northeastern Oregon. After a day of veterinary checks, the races begin at Ferguson Ridge Ski Area, about 9 miles southeast of Joseph. Fans can line up on the side of the starting chute. Parking is provided nearby, with a shuttle providing transportation to the starting site, about a 5- or 10-minute walk from the parking area. The weekend also includes a banquet at the Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise.

February 2026

Winter Fishtrap 2026

Feb. 13-16, 2026

Fishtrap, the Wallowa County organization that focuses on good writing and clear thinking about the West, hosts this event. It’s a weekend of lively and important conversations, presentations and workshops designed to help people come together — even when they disagree. At press time, 2026’s theme had not been announced. Website: fishtrap.org.

Some events had not announced their dates by the time this edition of “Discover Wallowa County” went to press

Juniper Jam

Photo by Roger Averbeck

Lodging in Wallowa County

Joseph

Wallowa | Troy | Minam | Flora

Wallowa Lake

Imnaha

Dining in Wallowa County

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Kirk Makin

Stunning Custom-Built 2,426 sq ft Home on 5.47 Acre outside Joseph. Built in 2002 w/3 bedrooms & 3 baths. Primary suite, walk in shower/jet tub & sauna. Fireplace, kitchen w/granite & island. In-floor heating. Detached studio & she-shed. Two-car garage. 3,640/ft. barn built in 2022. Second 1,180/ft home on a separate 0.36-acre tax lot.

MLS# 287146616 $1,750,000

Four Bedroom home on 1/3 Acre in Enterprise Charming early 1900’s home in quiet area of Enterprise. Many recent updates in this 2,142 sq. ft. home including: floor covering, windows, siding, roofing, chimney liner and wood stove. Spacious fenced lot with extra parking area. 700 sq. ft. garage.

MLS# 24518305 $410,000

Charming Cottage at Wallowa Lake Enjoy a large yard, a nice picnic area with plentiful seating. With views of the surrounding mountains, and easy access the activities on the resort side of the lake. Open floor plan with two levels.

MLS# 599450184 $381,000

21+ Acre Imnaha Property! Great canyon and river views from this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home. Paved access and peaceful setting. Impressive 36’x48’ galvanized steel shop. Carport, detached garage with finished space, and full service RV hookup. Lots of recreational opportunities nearby!

MLS# 24485402 $750,000

Charming Updated 1907 Victorian on 1.32-acre Corner Lot! 2,272 sq. ft. with 4 beds and 2.5 baths in Lostine. Large primary suite, gorgeous kitchen w/island, dining room, office, and a charming front porch. Updated plumbing and electric, forced air furnace and free-standing propane stove. 1,300 sq. ft. deck & beautifully landscaped yard. 832 sq. ft. car carport w/shop. Barn & hoop-house.

MLS# 24589056 $549,000

Corner-lot Home with Stunning Mountain Views! Spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with 2,544 sq. ft., nestled on a corner lot. Features include a bright living room, full basement with wood stove, fenced yard, two-car garage, and RV parking, Enjoy stunning Wallowa Mountain views. Conveniently located near Enterprise schools.

MLS# 540048863 $389,500

Double Your Pleasure and Income!

Two charming cabins on a large dividable lot with recent remodels and great vacation rental history. Close to activities and a short walk to Wallowa Lake, great year around access. Furnishings are negotible. MLS# 23165456 $679,000

Light Filled, Remodeled Manufactured Home! Spacious 1,512 sq. ft. home, has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, vaulted ceilings, new laminate plank flooring, and custom cabinetry. Primary bathroom features a jetted soaking tub. The large mostly level lot has ample room for gardening, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful mountain views.

MLS# 24655267 $349,000

Rare .85 Acre with Cabin on Creek in Wallowa! 432 sq. ft. rustic dry cabin with 1 bedroom and outdoor toilet sitting a stones throw from Bear Creek. Comes furnished and ready to enjoy. Only 2.5 miles of gravel road to get from paved road to cabin. Surrounded by 3,700 acre parcel used for timber and grazing.

MLS# 24175503 $189,000

Perfectly Old and New! Updated 1895 Craftsman-style farmhouse with solar panels on 1.23 acres (5 city lots) in Wallowa. Charming 3 bed, 2 bath features cherry and pine wood floors, new siding, metal roof, and stainlesssteel appliances. Outside seating to view Green Hill and new privacy fence.

MLS# 24146608 $489,000

Large Craftsman Home in Enterprise This 3,828 sq. ft. home includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms and sits on a large corner lot near the heart of downtown Enterprise. This home has a lot of potential for remodeling to keep the craftsman charm!

MLS# 24146104 $350,000

Kirk Makin

Owner/Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com Broker Cell: 541-398-1297 diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Little Sheep Creek Runs Through It! Live water, trees, and peek-aboo view of

Owner/Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Own 300’ of Prairie Creek Frontage in Enterprise! Fish, relax, enjoy mountain views or play in the yard. Charming 1948-style house has space for family, friends and favorite projects. The 3 bed, 3 bath home includes a full basement, oversized garage and large parking area.

MLS# 24467124 $455,000

Custom Built Home in Joseph with High Quality Materials! 1,542 sq. ft. with 3 beds and 2.5 baths built in 2009. Kitchen w/island, granite counters, 9’ ceilings and wood floors. Forced air and propane fireplace heat. Primary bedroom suite with walk-in closet. Utility room with half bath off the 624 sq. ft. attached garage. Yard with garden, firepit, patio w/ pergola and privacy fence. Covered front porch.

MLS# 24608532 $449,000

Affordable 912 sq ft 2-Bedroom, 1 Bath Home Great home with large yard, vegetable garden and 10 fruit trees! Originally built around 1916 and located in Enterprise. It has a cozy propane fireplace. Kitchen with dishwasher, range and refrigerator. Laundry room with washer and dryer included. 160 sq.

Owner/Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Diane Daggett Broker Cell: 541-398-1297 diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

$575,000

Kirk Makin

Anette Christoﬀersen

Owner/Principal Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Diane Daggett Broker Cell: 541-398-1297 diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Classic Log Home on One-Acre in the Lostine Canyon! Built in 1988 with locally harvested logs. 2,666 sq. ft. on the main and upper level, plus a full basement. Three beds and two baths. Large covered deck. Detached twocar garage. Private well and septic system. New metal roof on house and garage in 2021. Parklike settings with mature trees, situated close to the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Lostine River. MLS# 24346393 $539,000 World Class Views! Enjoy seeing the 7 Devils Mountains, Wallowa Mountains,

Daggett

Diane Daggett

Anette Christoﬀersen

Michele Baird

541-398-1297

Anette Christoﬀersen

541-398-1297

Diane Daggett

Anette Christoﬀersen

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148

Anette Christoﬀersen

Michele Baird

Anette Christoﬀersen

Lindsey Chrisman

Michele Baird

Anette Christoﬀersen

Michele Baird

Lindsey Chrisman

Michele Baird

Lindsey Chrisman

Kate Crawford

Deidra Ripsom

Lindsey Chrisman

Kate Crawford

Broker 541-398-1297

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148

Kate Crawford

Deidra Ripsom

Joe Dawson

Deidra Ripsom

anette.realtor@gmail.com

Makin Owner/Principal Broker 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

anette.realtor@gmail.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

3 Dwellings on 20 Acres Breathtaking timber framed home with 4 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. Attached 1 bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room, fireplace, laundry and patio, 2 bedroom detached apartment with kitchen, laundry. Garage attached to home plus detached shop/RV storage. Amazing views and privacy from this hilltop 20 acres. Dwellings all have high end beautiful finishes.

MLS# 24156246 $2,100,000

Residential or Commercial Lot in Enterprise This nearly half-acre lot in Enterprise offers stunning mountain views and easy access. Zoned commercial with a 2021 conditional use permit for residential. Perfect for stick-built, manufactured, or modular homes. Build your dream home or business in this beautiful location!

MLS# 24417057 $99,000

with County Zone permit and zoned for vacation rental as outright use. Utilities available near the lot. Located near the trailhead into the Eagle Cap Wilderness, marina, mini golf, gocarts, horseback riding, restaurants and more. MLS# 24073192 $299,000

Commercial Zoning-Beautiful Building

A beautifully remodeled 1920 craftsman with 5,174 sq.ft with lovely offices, beautiful and spacious client waiting area, receptionist desk, storage rooms and unfinished basement. The building has a handicap ramp from the paved parking lot with 17 spaces on .59 acre.

MLS# 24411514 $950,000

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Kate Crawford Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Great Location and Views on S. Rock Creek Ln, in Haines, OR. 39.83 acres for your new home or fix up this 1994 manufactured home with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths, 1680 sf. New metal roof. Outbuilding with work shop/barn and finished studio/ storage. Well, septic, RV, Irrigation water right, underground power to site.

MLS# 24403748 $449,000

The Hard Work has Been Done for You! Over 1.5 acres in three Imnaha River Woods lots with water, power and septic already installed. Build your dream home or camp when you please. Imnaha canyon views and plenty of elbow room

MLS# 24371490 $127,495

Buildable Lot in the Imnaha River Woods Subdivision Power and sewer are installed. Short distance from the Imnaha River. Personal property that could be included are a king size cab camper, as well as an auxiliary fuel tank.

MLS# 23422559 $85,000

The Oldest Building in Enterprise, Originally a Bank It’s 1,500 sq. ft with four offices, a break room and a bath. Updated wiring, heating, roof, windows and paint; while saving the

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Kate Crawford Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Broker

Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Principal Broker Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Large Views, Large House, Large Lot in Enterprise This 3 bd, 2 ba house has so much to offer. Large living and storage spaces, great mountain views and a large fenced backyard. Nicely appointed kitchen with newer appliances. Basement features an exercise area, additional living space and another bath.

MLS# 7621921366 $395,000

422+ Acres of Top Native Grass Grazing Land 2Four spring fed year-round ponds in Enterprise. Big, panoramic views of the Wallowa Mountains. Great deer and elk hunting with landowner preference tags. Property is fully fenced.

MLS# 22553608 $450,000

Top of Alder Street In Wallowa Enjoy spacious living on a one-acre lot with great views from Greenhill. Enjoy views of the valley, city and mountains. Build your dream house and settle in. Seller to install road, water, sewer, and power to east edge of Alder Street. (Lot 1)

MLS# 23260522 $134,000

Kate Crawford Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Broker

Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Broker

Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Kate Crawford Broker Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Deidra Ripsom

Broker

Joe Dawson

Broker Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Historic House in Joseph With Incredible Mountain Views! Originally built in 1900. The 2,377 sq.ft home with 4 beds & 3 baths is situated on a double corner lot. Primary suite on the main floor. Living room with fireplace. Attached twocar garage. New roof, exterior paint, back deck and heat pump w/mini-splits.

MLS# 670343306 $595,000

Slope Irrigated Ranch with Gorgeous Views of the Wallowa Mtns, Seven Devil Mtns and Wallowa Valley Approx 154 acres under sprinkler irrigation with priority water rights. 40 acres of merchantable timber. Alder Slope Ditch, Spring Creek and Alder Creek flow through the property. Deer & elk hunting with LOP tags. Parcel is not buildable.

MLS# 24474067 $1,089,000

Joe Dawson Broker Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Joe Dawson Broker Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Joe Dawson Broker

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

sewer and power to east edge of Alder Street. (Lot 2) MLS# 23612107 $139,000

Broker Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com kate.crawford.realtor@gmail.com

Broker Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Buildable 20 Acres! Stunning views of the Wallowa Mountains, Wallowa Valley and The Seven Devil Mountain range. Underground power and water (community system) to the property. End of road privacy. Native grass for livestock grazing.

MLS# 24283049 $269,999

from

Ave. Electricity is on-site, with water and sewer available. Whether you’re ready to build now or later, this property presents a great opportunity in a highly desirable location.

MLS# 622201546 $198,500

game with an abundance of elk, deer, upland birds, turkey & bear. Chesnimnus & Pine Creeks frow through, private 2.5 mile stream frontage.

MLS# 23484119 $2,775,000

Buildable Lot Near Wallowa Lake This gentle sloping .22-acre lot, surrounded by mature trees, offers year-round access

Forest Dell

Premiere 2,220 Acre Cattle & Hunting Ranch! Tremendous

Alder

One Acre View Lot in Wallowa Build your dream house and enjoy your pets on this large lot with city, mountain and valley views. Seller to install road, water,

Two Adjacent Lots (15,000 sq.ft) at Wallowa Lake! The lots are relatively flat with mature trees. Each lot is buildable

Hiking with the kids

Story by Ann Bloom

The Wallowa Mountains have some of the best, most spectacular hiking trails anywhere. Summer is a particularly popular time for hiking or backpacking in the high country. But if you have children, and are new to hiking with them, you may be wondering how to go about making it a pleasant experience, one they’ll talk about for months, maybe even years, versus a meltdown on the trail.

Two words: Planning and preparation. And a lot of both.

There’s plenty of good advice about hiking with children on the internet. For instance, www.mountaineers.org offers three main tips for parents with young first-time hikers.

First, get them excited about the idea of going on a hike. Talk about your own experiences hiking as a child (assuming you have some). Describe what they might see on the hike. Try to make it clear from the beginning that hiking is a fun family activity.

Second, stop often and have a snack. Hiking is a physical activity that burns calories. Children need fuel and they need it frequently, or they will get cranky and will not be shy about letting everyone know about it. Snacks should be nutritious and high in protein.

A combination of items, often called trail mix or “gorp” in the hiking world, can be made up into individual snack bags containing an assortment of nuts, dried fruit, M&M’s (which don’t melt into a chocolaty mess), and whole wheat snack crackers. This provides protein and complex carbohydrates that will keep their blood sugar level, avoiding any spikes. Several websites list recipes for this mix.

Water is also extremely important. Everyone should have his or her own water bottle and take a drink often. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. This is especially important in hot weather.

Third, sometimes children adapt better and have a better time in a new environment or with a new experience if they can bring a friend along to share it.

Another popular website that offers more than three dozen hints and tips for parents of young hikers is www.walkingthparks.com. They advise starting out small and being flexible. It’s all about the journey, not the destination. In other words, you don’t need to get to the waterfall. Just getting to the big mossy rock for a snack may be enough during one outing.

Choose a kid-friendly destination for your hike. Children may be happy with a big field to run around in and not so impressed with the beautiful lake, or prefer climbing on big, cool rocks to gazing at the distant snow-covered mountains. Choosing kid-friendly places will encourage desire in children to take future hikes.

Get them involved before you go. Show them a map of where you’ll be hiking, including the trail. Talk to them about what they might see, including animals, birds and waterfalls or lakes. Take along guidebooks so you can identify wildflowers, birds and trees. A pair of binoculars and a magnifying glass will also enhance the nature experience for your children.

Providing children with a disposable camera is also fun for them. After they return home, the pictures they take can be made into an album or scrapbook. This will enable everyone to relive the memories of the family’s hike.

A word about comfort — it’s important, and not enough can be said about it. A blister on a heel, a wet shirt or pair of socks can ruin an otherwise wonderful hike.

Providing children with a camera is also fun for them. After they return home, the pictures they take can be made into an album or scrapbook.

Planning and preparation can make any trek a more positive experience

Take extra clothing — a dry pair of socks and a dry shirt or sweatshirt — and dress for the weather. The weather in the Wallowa Mountains can change in a matter of minutes from sunny and warm to cool and rainy, so prepare for all types of weather. If it is cool, pack a hat and gloves. Dress in layers so you can adapt to changing temperatures, removing outer layers as it gets warmer.

Also, pack things like insect repellant, sunscreen (even when it’s overcast, sunscreen is necessary), and a simple first aid kit with Band-Aids, tweezers for splinters, moleskin for blisters and an EpiPen if anyone in your party is allergic to insect bites or bee stings.

Next to a pack, probably the most important piece of gear is shoes. They should fit properly. Break them in by taking short walks around your neighborhood, increasing the distance with each walk. Younger children are probably OK with a pair of good-fitting, supportive walking or tennis shoes. However, as they get older, and you take more hikes with them, you will want to invest in a pair of hiking shoes.

Everyone should carry their own pack. Children can carry their water bottle and snacks in their pack and perhaps their camera. As they get older, they can carry more and more gear. By their pre-teens they should be fully responsible for carrying all their own gear such as extra clothes, a flashlight, and a mini-first aid kit in addition to their snacks and water bottle.

Parents should teach and embrace the “leave no trace” mantra to, and for, their children. This means, simply, that if you pack it in, you pack it out. Children will emulate what they see their parents doing in terms of protecting the environment for future generations.

No one wants to think about what could happen if a child is separated from their parents on a hike, but it does happen. Therefore, teach your child

what to do if this occurs. Children will want to explore on their own, and this is natural. They should know a few simple rules of the trail to make sure everyone can be reunited.

Dress kids in bright colors so they stand out; think neon green, not camo. Attach a whistle to a lanyard they can wear around their neck. Tell them it is not a toy and is to be used only in case of an emergency. If they should become separated from you, instruct them to stay put and not try to backtrack to find you — you’ll find them. They will be scared, so make sure they understand this — you will come to them. Tell them that if they can’t see you for the count of 10, blow the whistle three times, wait and listen. Then blow the whistle again, wait and listen.

Appreciate the silence in nature. The sounds of nature can take everyone to a peaceful place, including children. Most children can, and will, hike quietly for periods of time. Use breaks to make a game of quiet listening by asking, “If we sit quietly for two minutes, what do you think we can hear?” Then discuss what everyone has heard.

Finally, one of the greatest gifts you as a parent can give your child is spending time with them and teaching them to appreciate nature. There is no better way to establish a lifetime of memories than hiking with your children.

And there is no better place to do that than in the Wallowa Mountains.

Serenity in the Wallowas

Serenity.

That’s the primary commodity being offered by Zen House Kominka, a guest house and tea room that opened in the spring of 2024 just north of Enterprise.

The business is owned and operated by Kiyomi Koike, a certified life coach and founder of Sei Mee Tea, and her husband, Bill Oliver.

“The people who were here last weekend said it was the serenity (they appreciated most),” Bill said. “The voices of serenity in a world that’s a little bit crazy right now.”

The word “kominka” describes a traditional, timber-framed Japanese country house. While prized for their craftsmanship, many of these homes have been torn down in recent years to make way for new construction in rapidly urbanizing parts of Japan.

A movement is underway, however, to save these beautiful structures. Bill and Kiyomi found the kominka that was to become Zen House not far from where Kiyomi grew up in Seto, Japan, on Honshu, the country’s largest island.

Although guests can rent time at the kominka through Airbnb — for a little extra fee — Kiyomi said she also wants to cater to locals for a portion of the year.

“I am not going to use this kominka as just an Airbnb, but for the serenity and (life) coaching sessions,” she said.

“The first shipping container from Japan arrived at our site on Oct. 19, 2022,” Kiyomi said. “To commemorate this, we’ve decided to dedicate the last two weeks of October each year to local residents by blocking (Zen House) Kominka’s booking calendar for local use.”

Tea ceremony

Kiyomi’s Sei Mee Tea, in which she’s the purveyor of green Japanese tea, is central to another major feature of the kominka.

The first portion of the building set up on site was a separate tea room in which Kiyomi conducts a traditional, ritual tea ceremony for guests.

She first sets out lemon-flavored sweets on rice paper to go with the slightly bitter tea. But you have to wait until she directs that it’s time before eating the sweets.

“I’m going to tell you when it’s ready and, until then, you just stare at the sweets,” she said as she prepared the tea. “You are not supposed to eat the sweets until I say.”

It’s best to use a seasonal bowl with a color that reflects the season, Kiyomi said. This time it was yellow to go with summer.

“You want to get it nice and frothy,” Bill said as he watched his wife.

Then it’s time to drink.

“You turn the bowl twice to avoid drinking tea from the front,” and presumably from where another person has drunk, Kiyomi said. “It’s just a ritual.”

Matcha has been used in the ceremony since the 1600s. It’s a dark green tea ground into a fine powder.

Though American, Bill has learned a bit about Japanese tea.

“There are all kinds of grades of matcha, and in the tea ceremony, you only use the ceremonial grade,” he said. “Even in the ceremonial grade, there are lots of different variations.”

Most tea is brewed from loose leaves, but matcha has been ground with a stone mortar and pestle.

“It’s almost like instant tea,” Kiyomi said. “It’s dried and ground.”

The tea leaves get green because of the sunlight increasing the amount of chlorophyl.

It doesn’t replace coffee, “but it does have caffeine,” she said.

The ceremony has its roots in a conflict between samurai warriors and Buddhist monks.

“In the 1600s, both the samurai warriors and the Buddhist monks used matcha to enable them to continue in martial exercises and meditations. … There is a substance in green tea that is a natural relaxant, L-theanine. It’s used in medications for people with ADHD and insomnia who need to chill, and it works.”

The couple said the tea ceremony brought peace between the samurai and the monks.

“Samurai warriors would do a gambling game where they would try to identify where the tea came from, and they’d bet money on it,” Bill said. “And people complained to the emperor about that, so probably their wives got after the emperor about that and decided, ‘We’ve got to stop this.’”

“The monks, they don’t like the samurais’ behavior, so the monks started to make this a ritual that led to the tea ceremony,” Kiyomi said.

In the ceremony they also use a silk cloth called a fukusa to “purify” utensils like a chashaku (a bamboo scoop) and a natsume (a tea caddy).

Even the entrance to the tea room is reflective of how the ceremony was intended to bring peace between the samurai and the monks. The doorway is only about half the height of a normal door, although it’s bigger than the entry to an authentic Japanese teahouse.

“When you come into a real teahouse in Japan, the doorway’s about 2 feet square and you have to go down on your hands and knees to get in,” Bill said. “If you have your samurai swords on, you have to take those off. … So you come in and meditate and think about things that aren’t so bad after all.”

Story & photos by Bill Bradshaw

Left: Kiyomi Koike uses a silk cloth called a fukusa to “purify” utensils at the beginning of a tea ceremony at Zen House Kominka.

A traditional Japanese home finds new life as a guesthouse near Enterprise

Kiyomi Koike sits where she’ll conduct a tea ceremony.

Main building

The bulk of the main building is about 90 years old, dating to the early days of Emperor Showa (Hirohito). Japanese emperors have the name they use in life and a posthumous name to designate their era. Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who retired in 2019, will be known as Heisei after he dies.

The kominka was part of a farm that mostly grew rice or vegetables. There’s little livestock there, Bill said, and there’s no tea growing in the area of Obu, where the kominka was.

“When we first were talking about this, they kept referring to this as the ‘Obu house,’” Bill said. “I thought that was the family name, but it turned out to be the city name.”

Obu is about as far from Kiyomi’s hometown of Seto as Wallowa is from Enterprise, but takes twice the time to drive because it’s so much more populated. Bill said there are about 7 million people in an area the size of Wallowa County, with its 7,500 residents.

The kominka they have is actually only the top portion of the building that was in Japan. The lower portion was demolished and the upper portion dismantled and stored for someone who might want it, like Bill and Kiyomi.

Bill said the upper floor that they bought was in “pretty rough shape,” but it was salvaged and restored. The traditional roof of a kominka is thatched, but that allows insects in. The one Bill and Kiyomi bought had a metal roof designed to look like tiles, thus they don’t have to worry about the insects here.

In addition to a master bedroom, there is furniture in the tea room that provides several more beds, as well as a loft.

The main building also includes a bathing room with a feature not seen in Western bathrooms. There’s a shower head one uses before getting in the deep tub that seats two. The floor is slightly sloped toward an inconspicuous drain. Once seated in the tub, a large window gives a grand view down the bluffs below the house.

A separate room is set aside for the toilet, something the Japanese prefer.

Kiyomi said she “felt uneasy” using a toilet in the same room as the tub.

Off the master bedroom is a deck from which guests also get a view of the hills below. The morning sun comes in the window, but blinds allow one to close it off when desired.

A compact kitchen with small, modern appliances is not unlike what’s found in Japan.

Local craftsmen helped with some of the work, Bill said. Dick Stangel helped with the railing on the deck outside the master bedroom, and Jim Zacharias provided the wood for the deck, which is made with western larch.

As it turned out, the local help outstripped any out-of-towners when it came to quality.

“A crew from Portland came to do the plastering work on the inside and they were going to send a second crew to finish it up, but they decided it was too far to come so they bailed,” Bill said.

So he got the idea of putting his wife to work.

“I said to Kiyomi, ‘You’re pretty artistic, so why don’t you try?’ So we got a guy from Lostine to teach her.”

She started in the bedroom closet, where if any mistakes were made, they wouldn’t show much.

“By the time she got into the bathing room, she was a pro.”

“You don’t have to be artistic,” Kiyomi said. “You just have to be strong.”

The building is constructed of rough-hewn logs of Japanese cyprus with mortise and tenon joints. They are crafted so precisely they can be reused numerous times — and likely have been.

“This (post) has been repurposed here, though it may not be the first time it has been,” Bill said. “It could be the second or third time. … We don’t know how many times it has been used.”

“The beams were used when they built the new house,” Kiyomi added. “So the beams themselves were about 200 years old.”

Zen House Kominka

What: Japanese-style guesthouse and tea room

Who: Owned by Kiyomi Koike, founder of Sei Mee Tea, and Bill Oliver

Where: Off Dunham Road, 6 miles north of Enterprise

Phone: 541-398-1104

Cost: $300 per night, with special rates available; includes Japanese or American-style breakfast

Mail: P.O. Box 276, Enterprise, OR 97828

Email: zenhousekominka@gmail.com

Online: KominkaLifeCoaching.com

A taste of Asia has come to Wallowa County with the Zen House Kominka, owned and operated by Kiyomi Koike and Bill Oliver. The couple purchased a portion of a traditional Japanese home, which was disassembled and shipped to the United States, then reassembled just north of Enterprise.

The main building also includes a bathing room with a feature not seen in Western bathrooms. There’s a shower head one uses before getting in the deep tub that seats two.

Going forward

Bill and Kiyomi have a business plan for their kominka that largely involves offering it as a place to stay and soak up some Oriental culture in Wallowa County. With views of the Wallowa Mountains and agricultural fields — but no rice or tea growing — it fits right in.

Kiyomi does her life coaching for anyone interested. She even offers to help people find their ikigai, a Japanese concept that means “reason for being” or “purpose in life.” It represents the intersection of four elements:

• What you love (passion)

• What you are good at (profession)

• What the world needs (mission)

• What you can be paid for (vocation) When these elements align, you find your ikigai — a fulfilling and meaningful life where your passions, talents and contributions to the world come together harmoniously.

Guests can book a stay for about $300 a night, breakfast — Japanese or American — included. They can book it directly on the Kominka website or through Airbnb.

Museums of Wallowa County

Steeped in history, rich in tradition, culturally vibrant and blessed with an abundance of natural wonders, Wallowa County has so much to explore — including a wonderful assortment of museums. Add these to your list of travel destinations for a rewarding learning experience.

Wallowa County Museum

The Wallowa County Museum has something for everybody. The museum, located at 110 S. Main St. in Joseph, is housed in the former First Bank of Joseph building, built in 1888. Constructed of locally made brick in the High Victorian Italianate commercial style popular at the time for city structures, it has been at times a private school, a hospital, city hall, ranger station, fire hall and library. What makes the museum unique is that all the pictures, artifacts, documents, and memorabilia were donated by people in Wallowa County.

The museum is the oldest building in the county, with one room entirely devoted to the culture of the Nez Perce tribe. Other rooms are devoted to the ranching and farming culture of the county or showcase the everyday resourcefulness of the county’s citizens.

If people are interested in family history and think some of their descendants may have come from Wallowa County, the curator may be able to research whether the person has ancestors from the county.

The museum is open from the last weekend in May (Memorial Day weekend) until the end of September, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Monday; the museum is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and older) or $2 for students (7-17). Children 6 and younger are admitted for free. For more information on the museum, email the curator at wallowacountymuseum@gmail.com.

Wallowology

Across the street from the Josephy Center, at 508 N. Main St. in Joseph, is Wallowology, a natural history discovery center where visitors can explore Eastern Oregon’s lands and waterways through a series of exhibits and learn about conservation efforts. For more information on the center, including days and hours of operation, check its website, www.wallowology.org.

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture

Located at 403 N. Main St. in Joseph is the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday beginning May 29 until Sept. 4, the center features art exhibits and music fests, and is an intimate venue for musicians of all types. The center offers art classes ranging from collage-making to painting and ceramics, showcases a variety of art and cultural exhibits by local and regional artists, and has an active youth program. The center also houses the Alvin Josephy Library. There is no admission fee, but donations are always welcome. For current hours and a calendar of upcoming events, check out the center’s website at josephy.org.

Nez Perce Visitor Center

At 103 N. Main St. in Joseph you’ll find the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center. The center tells the story of Maxville, a oncethriving logging town located about 15 miles from Wallowa. The town was home to about 400 residents, many of whom were African American and worked side by side with their white counterparts.

The Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center features many photos, documents, and artifacts from the town, as well as a video of oral history. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. For more information, call 541-263-8895, email info@maxvilleheritage.org or visit the center’s website at maxvilleheritage.org.

Wallowa History Center

The Wallowa History Center, located at 602 W. First St. in the town of Wallowa, tells the story of the town through documents, manuscripts, and journals. The center has plans to expand its current location, the former Bear-Sleds Ranger District headquarters, to a museum which will house artifacts and displays further depicting the history of Wallowa. Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, or by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, call 541-886-8000, email info@ wallowahistory.org or visit the website, wallowahistory.org.

Located at 209 E. Second St. in Wallowa, the Nez Perce Visitor Center details the history and significance of the Nez Perce people to the Wallowas and surrounding area, and the important contributions the tribe has made and continues to make to the county. The center features photographs, exhibits and displays of Nez Perce tribal culture. Each July the Wallowa Homeland holds a special celebration, Tamkaliks, to honor the original inhabitants of Wallowa County. It is three days of dancing and drumming, culminating in the Friendship Feast. All are welcome and invited.

The center is open from May through September, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday or Fridays by appointment. For more information on the center or to make an appointment, call 541-886-3101 or visit the tribe’s website at info@wallowanezperce.org. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

For the aficionado of tractors, there is the Sunrise Iron tractor museum, located outside Enterprise at 65708 Sunrise Road. There, visitors will find over 35 restored tractors. The museum also includes antique sewing machines, washing machines, butter churns, lithographs depicting early 20th century domestic life and other memorabilia collected by Erl McLaughlin, the museum’s curator and owner. The museum generally is open by appointment only. Admission is free, though donations are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 541-263-0755.

Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center

Sunrise Iron

Wallowa County’s Geology

The pilgrimage to our iconic Wallowa Lake and its glacially formed moraines is the first stop for many visitors to Wallowa County. But don’t stop there. For this is Yellowstone country.

No matter which way you arrive, you’ll have driven, cycled or hiked through ancient eruptions of the giant supervolcano that lurks beneath Yellowstone National Park. Almost wherever you go in Wallowa County, ancient Yellowstone’s eruptions are there, too.

Drop into the Wallowa River Canyon on Oregon Highway 82 and you’ll see layer upon layer of basalt rise above you. Travel Rattlesnake grade and similar basalts greet you everywhere. Take the narrow, winding route along the U.S. Forest Service 39 Road from the south, and dark brown basalt columns and bright red tuffs peer from roadcuts at every turn.

To understand how Yellowstone erupted in Wallowa County, we need to hop into our DeLorean DMC-12 time machine and go back about 55 million years.

Pacific Ocean waves broke on beaches where Portland, Salem and Eugene are today. Offshore a series of underwater volcanoes erupted from the seafloor, building seamounts and ocean crust. The source of these lavas was a hotspot — a stationary plume of hot basalt that rose (and still rises) from deep in the Earth’s mantle. We know it today as the Yellowstone hotspot.

The North American continent was moving westward, pushed by the widening Atlantic Ocean. Like an unyielding juggernaut, the continent collided with the Yellowstone hotspot‘s islands — and kept going. Today, those Yellowstone hotspot basalts make up most of the Oregon Coast Range and Olympic National Park.

North America overrode the Yellowstone plume of basalt, shutting down its eruptions, like putting a lid on a boiling-over pot of water. But there were times when the hotspot basalts shoved the lid aside, worked their way to the surface, and erupted. They include the volcanic rocks at Cape Perpetua, Cascade Head and the Tillamook Highlands, Smith Rock and the Strawberry Mountains.

Drop into the Wallowa River Canyon on Oregon Highway 82 and you’ll see layer upon layer of basalt rise above you. To understand how Yellowstone erupted in Wallowa County, we need to hop into our DeLorean DMC-12 time machine and go back about 55 million years.

Story & photos by Ellen Morris Bishop

Columbia River basalt flows, erupted when the Yellowstone hotspot was located beneath Eastern Oregon 17-14 million years ago, compose much of Wallowa County’s landscape. The basalts in the Imnaha River canyon are among the oldest. More than half of the Columbia River basalts erupted from vents in and near Wallowa County.

When Yellowstone erupted in Northeastern Oregon

The Yellowstone Hotspot was saving its most astonishing eruptions until Wallowa County and northeastern Oregon moved over it. Here, the hotspot produced its most spectacular contributions to geology: the Columbia River basalts. They cover 81,000 square miles of Oregon, Washington and Idaho real estate, and they are the product of the same volcanic hotspot that today powers geysers, malodorous thermal pools— and a future eruption at Yellowstone.

You can see the basalts produced by the Yellowstone hotspot throughout Wallowa County. In the Wallowa Mountains, red-brown stripes of basalt called dikes mark the linear fissures (vents) through which the basalts erupted. Drive the Imnaha Highway (OR 350) west from Joseph and on a downhill curve at about mile 11 you’ll find the red and yellow tuffs and broken basalts produced by an explosive eruption. (There’s a pullout on the south side of the road, but watch and listen for traffic before crossing the highway.) Continue to Imnaha and you’ll witness some of the oldest of the Yellowstone plume lavas here. Findley Buttes on Zumwalt Prairie are small volcanic vents about 16 million years old. Even Wallowa County’s venerated courthouse is built of stone produced in the Yellowstone hotspot’s explosive eruptions.

As North America kept moving west above the stationary plume of basalt, Yellowstone’s hotspot etched North America’s westward path into the crust, creating Idaho’s Snake River Plain. Today Yellowstone’s plume rests fitfully beneath Yellowstone National Park. But you don’t need to go all the way to Wyoming to see its wonders. Some of Yellowstone’s best and most awe-inspiring work is right here in Wallowa County.

Top illustration: About 11 miles west of Joseph along the Imnaha Highway (OR Highway 350) a roadcut on a sweeping turn exposes part of an eruptive vent of a 16.2 million-yearold Columbia River basalt flow. It reveals an explosive, steam-driven eruption that may have sent a plume of ash into the stratosphere.

The dark red-brown streaks (dikes) exposed in the Wallowas (red arrows) are the remnants of long fissures, or vents, that erupted basalts derived from the Yellowstone hotspot. Here, at Slick Rock Falls along Hurricane Creek, a hard, resistant dike is at the top of the falls.

RED ROOSTER CAFE

The soundtrack of Wallowa County

In many ways, the sound of summer in Wallowa County is the sound of music: Dances in the street, music festivals, a weekly series with musicians performing for audiences gathered on the lawn of the county courthouse.

A nonprofit organization, the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance, is behind much of the county’s growing music scene. The alliance, which celebrated its 20th anniversary as a nonprofit entity in 2024, organizes the summer music series, Thursday evenings at the courthouse. It’s the force behind the Juniper Jam, an annual music festival. Lately, it’s been branching out with musical theater productions for children and a nascent chamber music series.

And it makes sense that Janis Carper, one of the founders of the alliance and its executive director, is a musician herself.

Playing music was “just part of life as a kid” growing up on a cattle ranch in Eastern Washington. “We played for all the Kiwanis Club events and talent shows and whatnot.”

She moved to Wallowa County from Seattle in 2001 and eventually started filling in at a weekly activity for youths that was operated by Fishtrap, the Enterprise-based nonprofit that focuses on writing about the West. (Carper works now as Fishtrap’s media coordinator.) Some of those activities for the youths focused on poetry, Carper recalled, and some involved songwriting.

Story by Mike McInally

And that’s when Rich Wandschneider, a co-founder of Fishtrap and a longtime county resident, took notice — and stepped in to do some introductions. Wandschneider introduced Carper to Syd Tate, a Boise businessman who owned property in Wallowa County and a “recreational cello player,” as he called himself.

Wandschneider sat Carper and Tate down at a kitchen table and offered these instructions: “Here, talk amongst yourselves,” as Carper recalls.

The idea that emerged “was to build a musical Fishtrap, which wasn’t literary, but a similar type of organization,” Carper recalled — and that led to the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance.

Some of the early organizers of the alliance had plans to build a barn-type structure specifically for musical performances, but Carper — who bills herself as “a pretty frugal person” — helped to dial those plans down. Let’s work on programming first, Carper said, before putting a bunch of cash into a structure.

The alliance received its nonprofit status in May 2004. And Carper found a house on River Street — the Woodshed — that the alliance refurbished and used for years as a place for musicians to gather and play and teach lessons. Eventually, it became lodging for visiting musicians, a boon to the alliance in that it didn’t have to pay for hotel or motel bills.

Nonprofit Wallowa Valley Music Alliance shapes the musical landscape

The alliance launched an ambitious chamber music series that proved to be not sustainable (although classical music is now back on the program). It helped start an annual summer fiddle camp which still is going strong, and launched the courthouse music series on summer Thursday evenings.

Along the way, Carper started one of her favorite events, the monthly Tunesmith Nights, in which three singer-songwriters share their songs in a round-robin format for appreciative audiences in Enterprise’s Odd Fellows Hall.

The Juniper Jam — billed as the only Oregon music festival that puts a premium on original music — followed in 2009. There had been a previous music festival at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, Carper said, but the organizer, burned out after years of handling that festival, handed the event over to the alliance, which wasn’t quite ready to take on the effort at the time. But after another nonprofit organization, Wallowa Resources, led an effort to build a new stage for the fairgrounds, Carper saw it and thought, “Oh, man, we have to do something on this new stage.”

The effort to put on the Juniper Jam can be exhausting, she said. “But it’s worth every bit of effort, because when I walk around the fairgrounds and see how happy everybody is when the music’s on, it’s pretty cool.”

Lately, the Music Alliance has branched out, with plans to revive chamber music concerts featuring local talent. And Amy Fairchild, a member of the alliance’s board of directors, has started writing musical productions for county youths. (The first such productions, held over the holidays at the OK Theatre in downtown Enterprise, drew standing-roomonly audiences; more shows are in the works.)

“It’s just been really satisfying to watch how our early work has woven into the community and sort of supported everything else that’s come since,” Carper said — even musical events that don’t fall under the Music Alliance’s umbrella, such as the Josephy Fest, a two-day celebration of music and movement that was launched recently by the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph.

“It’s exciting to have been part of that,” Carper said. “Some people try to give me all the credit. And that’s, to me, a little embarrassing, because I’m just doing my job, and I love my job. I love working with musicians. If I felt like this was an uphill battle all the time, I probably wouldn’t still be doing it after all these years.”

Facing page photo: Wallowa Fiddle Tunes @ M Crow. — Photo by Roger Averbeck

Photo below: The Whateverly Brothers perform folk classics as part of the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance Courthouse Concert Series. — Photo by Paul Wahl

The Wallowa Lake Tramway

For more than half a century, the Wallowa Lake Tramway has ferried visitors from the head of Wallowa Lake to the top of 8,150-foot Mount Howard. The tramway’s 19 cable cars run every 90 seconds during the season, with four-person cabins that effortlessly carry passengers to the top in a 15-minute ride that offers spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also dine at the Summit Grill.

When constructed in 1970, it was the steepest tramway in the U.S., rising 3,700 vertical feet. The line was initially owned by a stock corporation known as High Wallowas, which was later forced to sell. Today the operation is run by another corporation, with Mike Lockhart and Bill Whittemore as the principal owners.

“It started with a bunch of dedicated people who wanted to build an attraction that would be special, which this is, in my opinion,” Lockhart said.

He and three others bought the attraction. In 1984, he said, he and Bill Whittemore bought out the other two partners and became co-owners.

“We’ve been operating it ever since,” he said.

Keeping the tramway going

Perhaps the primary goal Lockhart and Whittemore have for the tram is to continue to maintain and upgrade it. The attraction operates from late May through September, and some people would like to see the season expanded. But that’s unlikely, since the “shoulder seasons” of late fall and early spring are taken up with maintenance work.

Lockhart estimated the tram would cost about $10 million to replace.

However, he said, “it isn’t worth $10 million, and that’s why we’re doing everything we can to restore it to keep the place operating safely. There’s very little here that dates back to 1970.”

He said he and Whittemore are continually on the lookout for parts they can use on the tram — or have made new.

“A lot of the parts we have right now we have to have made ourselves” at a local machine shop, he said, but “there are still parts around” that can be purchased.

“We started a very aggressive maintenance program. We’ve taken every assembly off,” Lockhart added. “In addition to that, we’re replacing all the wheels.”

Safety is key

The owners’ efforts to keep the tram operating safely have proven successful, according to Lockhart.

“Back in the day, almost the very first year, a bullwheel bearing went out and we had to evacuate three cabins,” he said.

A bullwheel is the big wheel that drives the cable, easily visible at each terminal.

The sheave wheels that support each cabin cost about $1,000 each. Lockhart didn’t know the cost of the bullwheels.

“We have to keep track of our rates to keep up on this,” he said, adding that replacing the entire tramway is unlikely. “That’s probably not feasible because of the cash flow. So it’s important that we do this maintenance. We are the No. 1 attraction in Wallowa County, and there’s a lot of people who factor that into when they come to Wallowa County. We’re finding that out, as any accommodation person will tell you. It’s a common question they get asked when making reservations (for lodging).”

Once, they had to evacuate the top because of high winds.

“It’s all about safety, for every operation we have — from the lift to food service to everything else,” he said.

Evacuation is no easy task. Under the seats of each car is a cord that can be used to let a rope down; in an emergency, passengers can be strapped into a harness and lowered to the ground. Then they either walk to the terminal or, “if necessary, we bring a helicopter in,” Lockhart said.

Wallowa Lake Tramway

Where: 59919 Wallowa Lake Highway

Phone: 541-432-5331

Email: info@wallowalaketramway.com

Online: wallowalaketram.com

Season: Mid-May through late September or early October

Hours: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Cost: Day passes available for $44-$50

He said the tram works with local first responders when necessary. But such calls are rare.

“We haven’t had one in 20 years,” he said.

The only mishaps on the tram have been minor injuries, such as a rider slipping upon getting into or out of one of the cabins. Lockhart said no injury claims have been filed in his time as a tram owner.

One thing that tram riders often wonder is how supplies reach the summit, particularly the Summit Grill. Outside are two large propane tanks that would hardly fit in a tram cabin. Lockhart said there is a road up the back side of Mount Howard that comes up near the Ferguson Ridge Ski Area. Large items can be brought up that way. Most supplies, however, are brought up on the tram via a “boxcar” — an open, yellow car.

A road accessible only by all-terrain vehicle provides access to each of the towers that carry the cable.

Story & photos by Bill Bradshaw

A scenic gondola ride whisks visitors to the top of Mount Howard

Improvements

In recent years, the owners have done some extensive remodeling, Lockhart said.

They’ve also made some additions to the attraction. When they bought it, there was only the terminal at the summit. Riders would go up, hike around, enjoy the view and ride back down. But the current owners poured a concrete slab, added a patio and opened the Summit Grill, which offers a bistro-style menu.

“We don’t want people to feel they have to go someplace else to eat, so we’re pretty competitive,” Lockhart said.

The owners are considering expanding their offerings in other ways as well. Already the tram does some catering to skiers.

“We take people up in the spring and they hike over to East Peak and do a mountaineering type of skiing,” Lockhart said.

In the 1990s, they considered adding ski runs down the back of Mount Howard that would end near the Ferguson Ridge Ski Area. However, that proved unfeasible.

Lockhart hopes to be able to add interpretive tours of the mountaintop, including the history of the moraines, if they can find the right guide.

“But that’s a special person we’d have to find,” he said.

There also has been discussion of adding campsites in the area, but those would depend on the market, the economy and what the U.S. Forest Service says of the ideas, since two-thirds of the tram is on USFS land.

The future?

Lockhart has hopes for the future of the tram.

“There’s things we would like to see happen,” he said. “There’s a possibility someone besides me could think (more) about winter sports.”

But for now, Lockhart and his partner just want to keep improving what’s there.

“We’ve been going (more than) 50 years, and we’d like to add a few more things,” he said. “We don’t know what the life of the lift is, so we’ll have to see.”

The crystal-blue waters of Wallowa Lake are easily visible on a clear day from the Wallowa Lake Tramway

Local literature

Story by Mike McInally

If you can’t get to Wallowa County, the next best thing might be reading about it.

And if you can get to Wallowa County, bringing along a book about the area guarantees a deeper and richer experience.

It’s no secret anymore: Wallowa County is one of Oregon’s hotspots for terrific writing. The county has inspired any number of great books, all of which would be excellent companions on your next trip — even if it’s a trip from the comfort of your reading chair.

We consulted a variety of experts in compiling what is, by necessity, an incomplete list of essential books about Wallowa County. Our experts come from an Enterprise bookstore, a Joseph museum and an Enterprise nonprofit organization devoted to good writing about the West. All three are spots that book lovers will want to check out during a visit to the county:

• The Bookloft, 107 E. Main St., a beautifully curated bookstore in downtown Enterprise. The store’s website, bookloft.org, features a much lengthier list of books about Wallowa County.

• Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St. in Enterprise, offers readings from local writers and also hosts an annual summer workshop, Summer Fishtrap, on the shores of Wallowa Lake that attracts nationally known writers to lead workshops during the day and read from their works during the evenings. (The 2025 edition of Summer Fishtrap will be held July 7-13) Find out more at fishtrap.org.

• The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St. in Joseph, offers artwork from local artists in a series of imaginative exhibits and hosts classes, concerts, lectures and more. It also houses the Josephy Library of Western History and Culture, which is run by Rich Wandschneider, a longtime county resident and a fine writer himself. Find out more about the Josephy Center at its website, josephy.org. The center is open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Here are some of the books that our experts recommended. Happy reading:

• “Temperance Creek,” by Pamela Royes. Royes beautifully recounts her story of coming to Wallowa County and falling in love with a man and the place together. It’s a great portrait of riding the canyonlands, and a requiem of sorts for a specific moment in the 1970s.

• “Home Below Hells Canyon,” by Grace Jordan. This memoir, set in the 1930s, follows the Jordan family (Les, his wife Grace and their three small children) as they move — in the heart of the Great Depression to a sheep ranch in the Snake River gorge just below Hells Canyon.

• “Massacred for Gold,” by Gregory Nokes. A glimpse into our darker history, this book tells the story of the murder of 34 Chinese gold miners in 1887 in Hells Canyon and helps put into perspective the brutality and racism of early pioneer life.

• “Winterkill,” by Craig Lesley. Danny Kachiah, the protagonist of Lesley’s novel, is an aging rodeo rider, a Nez Perce who has never connected with his tribal culture. But when his ex-wife dies in a car accident, leaving him a son whom he barely knows, he begins to recall the stories that his father, Red Shirt, had told him. Lesley returns to Kachiah’s story in a follow-up novel, “River Song.”

• “Chief Joseph and the Flight of the Nez Perce,” by Kent Nerburn. An engaging biography of Chief Joseph and the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce, who were chased from Wallowa County in 1877.

• “Stories of Wallowa Lake,” by Rita Ehrler and Ellen Morris Bishop. A well-researched and well-written collection of stories and photos that build a picture of the people, places and nature that make up the communities of Wallowa Lake.

• “Nez Perce Country,” by Alvin Josephy. Many books focus on the War of 1877 when it comes to Nez Perce history. This book offers a concise introduction to the greater history of the Nez Perce people. Josephy, by the way, was an American historian who specialized in Native American issues; he and his wife, Betty, owned a ranch in Joseph and hosted a camp for Nez Perce children. The Josephy Center was founded in his name. If you want a deeper dive into Nez Perce history, consider an earlier Josephy book, “The Nez Perce Indians and the Opening of the Northwest.”

• “Four Lines a Day,” by Janie Tippett. Every day for 60 years, Mary Marks wrote four lines in her journal. Her friend, Janie Tippett, took this collection to create a wonderful picture of the tough and rewarding job of ranching in the wilds of the Imnaha country.

• “The Prairie Keepers,” by Marcy Houle. Houle came to the Zumwalt Prairie in 1979 to study hawks. Based on that time, she has written an engaging personal story of how land stewards from radically different perspectives can coexist peacefully and effectively.

• “Into the Minam,” by John and Donna Skovlin. A history of the Minam country by a former forest ranger and his wife. This book gives readers a good grasp of the people who have lived, worked and recreated in — and protected — this special part of the world.

• “Hiking Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness,” by Fred Barstad. This is Falcon Guide’s comprehensive and well-researched guide to the hiking trails in the wilderness by Barstad, a local mountaineer.

• “Homesteading the North End Ridges and Benches, Volume I,” by Linda Bauck. Bauck has collected hundreds of stories from the homesteaders who populated the North End of the county.

The Litch Hotel

Story by Bill Bradshaw

The historic Sam Litch Building in downtown Enterprise is once again open for business under a new moniker: the Litch Hotel.

The complex of 13 units for visitors to Wallowa County is intended for them to enjoy bits of Wallowa County’s history.

“We wanted to feature things people might not know about,” said Andy McKee, who owns and restored the building with his brother, Todd.

The units

In the hotel’s lobby at the corner of Main and River streets is a giant map created by John Michener.

“It’s the largest map of the Eagle Cap Wilderness anywhere,” Andy McKee said, noting that it shows various points of interest around the area.

McKee said he’d wanted to have a map of the entire county, but it turned out to not be practical.

Also in the lobby is a large painting showing the Wallowa Mountains towering over the valley floor.

At first glance, the spaces in the Litch Building resemble storefronts — which many were at one time. But on closer inspection, each is a separate unit with a unique story.

The wide-open windows initially appear to give little privacy, but they have blinds that lower electronically.

The individual units come in different sizes that sleep different numbers of guests — about 45 total.

On the ground floor are four one-bedroom units, two two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. The second floor features five two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit.

All feature king-sized beds, have full kitchens with quartz countertops, tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers and custom high-end finishes throughout.

McKee said the units have “proven really popular for the people who have stayed here. Many are return guests.”

The largest unit boasts a Wallowa Lake theme and shows numerous scenes from around the lake, as well as activities one can take part in there.

There’s also the Nez Perce Unit, named for the original inhabitants of the valley. In addition to paintings and photos of tribal members, walls are decorated with painted depictions of camas plants — a primary source of food for the tribe — and one wall that shows the many horses the tribe is noted for raising. The sale of horses to settlers was once a major source of income for the tribe.

A bison robe adorns another wall.

“We wanted it to be like a walking museum,” McKee said, “not just with pictures of Chief Joseph.”

Other units boast themes based on camping and the wilderness, the mountains, a ski unit to focus on the Ferguson Ridge Ski Area, an aviation unit upstairs, a lumber mill unit because of the importance of the lumber industry in the county and the Rexall Unit, in what was a former Rexall Drug Store.

There’s also a train unit because much of the county’s early settlement was facilitated by the railroad.

“It really opened things up in the county,” McKee said. “Before that, folks had to take everything in and out by stagecoach. The train was running seven days a week.”

What: Vacation rentals

Where: Corner of River and Main streets, Enterprise

Phone: 541-426-1155

Email: support@eaglecaprealestate.com

Online: www.eaglecap-vacationrentals.com

Litch Hotel

Photos from top: This 1920s photo of the Litch Building shows what it looked like then. Not only were there storefronts on the street level, but apartments and professional offices were on the second floor. — Photo courtesy of Andy McKee

The newly opened Litch Hotel stands at the corner of Main and River streets in downtown Enterprise. — Photo by Bill Bradshaw

Historic building in downtown Enterprise celebrates the county’s heritage

A nighttime shot of the new Litch Hotel in downtown Enterprise shows the renovated building in all its glory. — Photo by Andy McKee

Renting a unit

McKee said the best way to rent a unit is to go online to https://www. eaglecap-vacationrentals.com/locations. There, guests can select the unit and the length of time they desire.

Guests also can go online to Airbnb or VRBO, but those sites tack on a fee.

“It saves you about 10% if you go directly through us,” McKee said.

Prices for guests vary according to the seasons. The smaller units are about $100 a night during winter, while the larger one is $300 a night. Rates go up during the tourist season when there’s greater demand.

But most of the year it’s at the lower rate.

“We have about eight months of winter here,” McKee laughed.

Prospective guests also can reach the hotel by calling 541-426-1155.

When calling, guests will reach Andy or Todd. The McKees want to make sure customers know they’re reaching them and get a familiar feel when calling.

“We want them to connect with us and ensure them we’re not just some big corporate conglomerate,” Andy McKee said.

The building

In fact, the McKees did most of the work on the Litch Building. The original building was constructed in the early 1880s as a one-story wooden structure, according to the Oregon Historic Sites Database. Over its lifetime, it has housed a saloon, a general mercantile store, an antique store and other incarnations.

A fire in August 1902 destroyed that original building, which was replaced the following year by another wood-frame building. In 1907, according to the website, Samuel and Ella Litch bought a partial interest in the building for $10,000. In 1909, Sam Litch announced plans to construct a stone building on the site and a second story was added.

More than a century later, the McKee brothers — who hail from Colton and who have lived in Enterprise about a dozen years — started a restoration project in 2017 with the goal of turning the building into a hotel. According to a 2019 Chieftain story, they received a $200,000 matching Main Street grant through Oregon’s State Historic Preservation Office.

Through bank and private financing, the brothers came up with another $525,000 for the project. When all is said and done, Todd said, the project will cost close to $2 million.

By keeping Sam Litch’s name on the hotel they’re paying tribute to an early developer in the county.

“He was a visionary,” Andy McKee said. “He was one of the first … to have a farm that had electricity.”

The restoration project involved considerable work.

“A whole section of the building would’ve collapsed if we hadn’t come in here and put in steel beams and done this work, because this was originally a single story on the corner and they built right on top of the single story,” McKee said. “(The portion) that was built in 1909 was (Bowlby) stone, but when they put the second story on, they didn’t beef up anything, so it’s been a continual problem over the years. There were 40 broken floor joists in here, so it was really only a matter of time before the whole corner collapsed.”

Andy handled the bulk of the construction and design, while Todd did the “nuts and bolts” and business side of things, though there’s some crossover.

McKee said they have tried to retain the original look of the building.

“But we didn’t want it to look like a bunch of storefronts,” he added. “We wanted it to look period so people couldn’t tell all of what we did.”

One item they still have yet to replace is the flagpole atop the building’s front corner. A couple of years ago, they had a 25-foot aluminum pole that was supposed to withstand up to 100-mph winds. It wasn’t long before high winds bent that pole, so they’re replacing it with a steel pole Stangel Industries is constructing. This one will not only be stronger, it’ll be shorter at just 15 feet.

But the flagpole is more than just to fly the Stars and Stripes. It also serves as a lightning rod, which most people won’t notice. Andy said it’s grounded in the alley behind the building.

“A lot of the things that we did, people don’t realize until you see it for yourself,” McKee said.

Family

The brothers and their families are the chief source of labor to operate the hotel. Andy’s wife, Vanessa, and Todd’s wife, Senait, are the biggest help, as are the six kids in the two families.

“All of them don’t work, but those who can, do,” Andy said.

But the main thing is to make sure the hotel gives a unique feel that celebrates Wallowa County.

“We didn’t want to do some weird hotel that was themed about UFOs or something,” Andy said. “We wanted to show something that was really interesting about our county.”

A fire in August 1902 destroyed the original building. More than a century later, in 2017, the McKee brothers — who have lived in Enterprise about a dozen years — began restoring the building with the goal of turning it into a hotel.

Andy McKee, co-owner of the Litch Hotel in downtown Enterprise, stands before the “largest map of the Eagle Cap Wilderness anywhere” in the lobby of the newly opened hotel Nov. 26, 2024. — Photo by Bill Bradshaw

The Blue Mountains Trail

Riley Gill was cold, wet — and a little bit worried.

High up in the Strawberry Mountains, the young man from Springfield was a couple of days into an attempt to become just the seventh known hiker to complete the Blue Mountains Trail, a challenging route that connects all the major mountain ranges in Northeast Oregon in a 530-mile spiral, resembling a giant question mark, that starts in Joseph and ends in John Day.

Gill was hoping to become the first to complete the route in reverse, starting from the John Day end and hiking south to north. He was also tackling the trail earlier in the year than most might deem wise, starting in late June to take advantage of cooler temperatures rather than waiting until August or September.

His first challenge was the Strawberries, which still had significant amounts of snow in the upper elevations, especially on north-facing slopes. And after an unusually wet spring, storm systems continued through the area.

On Day 2, he had to navigate a 10-to-15-foot snow cornice in the pass below Strawberry Mountain. On Day 3, a torrential hailstorm soaked him to the skin and chilled him to the bone. But Gill, an experienced long-distance hiker, was confident that if he could just make it through the Strawberries, the rest of the trip would be manageable.

“The whole Strawberry Wilderness there was awesome,” he said in a post-hike interview. “It was beautiful — but I was making sure I got out of there safe.”

Blazing the trail

The idea of a long-distance hiking trail showcasing Northeast Oregon’s most spectacular landscapes has been around since the 1960s, according to the Greater Hells Canyon Council, the nonprofit conservation group that spearheaded the trail’s creation. Planning began in earnest in the ’70s, but it would take another half-century of work by dedicated volunteers to complete the route.

The Blue Mountains Trail officially opened in 2021. No new trail was built in the process. Instead, the organizers stitched together existing trail systems with segments of road and a few sections of hiker-tested crosscountry travel into a single route that looks like a giant backwards question mark with a few extra curves and wiggles thrown in.

The scope of the trail is breathtaking.

The route links all four of the region’s major mountain ranges — the Strawberries, Greenhorns, Elkhorns and Wallowas — as well as vast stretches of canyon country along the Washington and Idaho borders, including a dive into Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America.

It traverses seven wilderness areas — Strawberry Mountain, Monument Rock, North Fork John Day, North Fork Umatilla, Wenaha-Tucannon, Hells Canyon and Eagle Cap, the state’s largest.

It rambles through ancestral lands of the Nez Perce, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and it takes travelers through a crucial wildlife corridor that connects ecoregions of the Cascades, the Rockies, the Great Basin and the Blue Mountains.

Story by Bennett Hall | Photos by Riley Gill

Hiker is among the first to complete the 530-mile trek through NE Oregon

Riley Gill stands on a ridgetop during his 2023 thru-hike of the Blue Mountains Trail. Gill is the seventh known person to complete the 530-mile route and is believed to be the first to do it south to north.

The trail remains a work in progress. The Greater Hells Canyon Council has put out an online survey (www.hellscanyon.org/bluemountains-trail) asking for feedback from trail users as well as business owners, community members and public officials in the towns it passes through in an effort to make the Blue Mountains Trail experience better for everyone.

And while there are no plans to build any new miles of trail (roughly 45% of the route uses remote two-track forest roads), organizers hope to make the route easier to follow by signing it with the Blue Mountains Trail’s rounded-triangle logo, which depicts a bighorn sheep against a mountain-and-canyon backdrop. Meanwhile, the U.S. Forest Service and groups such as the Blue Mountain Land Trust’s Blues Crew and the Wallowa Mountain-Hells Canyon Trails Association are working with the Greater Hells Canyon Council to schedule regular trail maintenance work parties.

“It was designed as something that would bridge the gap between recreation and conservation,” Megan Keating, the council’s development director, said of the trail.

“By putting our region on the map and highlighting this amazingly diverse ecoregion, (the hope is) it would inspire people to love it and want to protect it.”

Preparing for the journey

Born in Colorado, Gill got his first exposure to Eastern Oregon during a memorable car trip when he was 13. The area’s majestic scenery made a lasting impression.

“It was such a magical landscape,” Gill recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘I’ll be back someday.’”

True to his word, Gill moved to Oregon in his late 20s, landing in

Springfield and finding work with Yogi Tea, a Eugene company that makes a line of green, black and herbal “wellness” teas.

By that time, Gill (aka “Rabbit,” his trail name) was already an accomplished hiker of long trails, and his feet were itching to do some more.

He had previously tackled the 486-mile Colorado Trail and had his eye on the Continental Divide Trail, which follows the crooked spine of the Rocky Mountains for 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada, before the COVID-19 pandemic scuttled that plan.

Since arriving in Oregon, he had completed the 40-mile Timberline Trail loop around Mount Hood and the 60-mile Corvallis to the Sea Trail.

And last year, he and a friend traversed 500 miles of the 750-mile Oregon Desert Trail before cutting their adventure short in the face of a major heat wave.

“It was getting life-threatening at that point,” Gill said.

But that trip set the stage for his Blue Mountains Trail hike. Renee Patrick, the Oregon Desert Trail coordinator and a long-distance hiker who goes by the trail name “She-ra,” had a hand in designing the Blue Mountains Trail and became the first person to do the whole route solo in 2020, a year before its official opening.

Gill credits Patrick with providing him much of the background information and firsthand trail intel he needed to plan his Blue Mountains Trail adventure.

“She helped me a lot with logistics, maps and stuff,” he said.

The Blue Mountains Trail by the numbers 530 — Length of the Blue Mountains Trail, in miles 7 — Number of wilderness areas the trail goes through 3 — Number of national forests traversed by the trail

Baldy Lake, near Mount Ireland in the North Fork John Day Wilderness, was one of Gill’s favorite spots on his Blue Mountains Trail thru-hike.

The Imnaha River flows through some of Northeast Oregon’s wildest and most remote terrain.

This was Gill’s view during his descent into the Imnaha River Canyon in the Hell’s Canyon Wilderness, one of seven wilderness areas traversed by the 530-mile Blue Mountains Trail.

Making it work

As with most long-distance hikes, the logistics of trekking the Blue Mountains Trail can be daunting. There is a limited number of places along the 530-mile route where stocking up on supplies is practical, meaning hikers have to carry everything they need on their backs between those points.

Gill chose four resupply points, starting with Austin House, roughly 100 miles into the trek, where he mailed his first box of supplies. Other resupply points were at Sumpter, La Grande and Troy. After Troy, though, there’s really no practical place to restock along the route until the terminus in Joseph — a distance of 182 trail miles.

“That last section is huge,” he said. “That’s an eight-day carry.”

Gill started the journey on June 23 and finished on July 23, taking a couple of “zero days” (when he stayed in town and slept in a hotel bed) along the way and averaging around 19 miles a day.

Like many long-distance hikers, Gill has adopted a “fast and light” strategy, keeping the weight of his gear to a minimum in order to be able to cover long stretches of ground each day. He carries an ultralight backpack from ULA Equipment, keeps the rest of his gear as light as possible and doesn’t carry anything he doesn’t really need.

His base weight — the weight of his pack and its contents, not counting food and water — is 13½ pounds.

“That last section, from Troy to Joseph, with eight days of food, was the heaviest my pack’s ever been,” Gill said. “I’d say it was 27 to 30 pounds after resupply.”

‘What’s your Y?’

Gill was able to get the time he needed to hike the Blue Mountains Trail because Yogi Tea was temporarily shutting down operations to install some new production equipment. The company also helped cover the costs of his journey by making him a product ambassador, paying him to create photos, videos and blog posts about Yogi’s products during his time on the trail.

At two places along the route — Blue Mountain Outfitters in La Grande and Quickhatch Provisions in Joseph — he staged tea parties, where he gave out free samples of the company’s products.

And he was never without plenty of Yogi Tea in his pack, which he happily shared with the folks he met on the trail.

“You guys want some tea?” he would ask. “I’ve got lots and lots of tea.”

Gill would also ask them “What’s your Y?,” Yogi Tea’s current slogan, which he said sparked some fascinating conversations about passion and purpose.

“I met lots and lots of cool people,” he said.

Discover the Blue Mountain Trail

Riley Gill stands on the side of South Canyon Boulevard in John Day as he begins his Blue Mountains Trail hike on June 23, 2023.

Adapt and overcome

For Gill, the toughest part of his Blue Mountains Trail adventure was pushing through the challenges of those first few days.

The initial climb from John Day to the crest of the Strawberry Mountains — about 6,000 vertical feet — was one of the biggest of the entire trip. Then came that tricky snow cornice on the second day, followed by a series of thunderstorms that dogged his steps for the better part of a week.

“I knew if I got past the Strawberries,,” he said, “I should be able to get through the whole trail.”

And he was right.

Some of the other challenges he had expected to encounter by starting so early in the season — dangerous crossings of snowmelt-swollen streams or high-elevation trails blocked by snow in the Wallowas — failed to materialize.

Other difficulties he met and surmounted as they came up.

“The trail’s really new, so a lot of it’s not as well-maintained as I would have liked,” he said. “There were lots of blowdowns. Going that early in the

season, a lot of trail crews hadn’t gotten out yet.”

There was more road-walking than he was used to, including one exceptionally long stretch between Tollgate and Troy, but that turned out not to be a problem.

“It’s kind of hard to complain when the road is, like, 60 miles overlooking a valley and you meet one person the whole time,” he said.

The trail has a few short sections that require hikers to do some crosscountry navigation, but his route-finding skills were up to the task.

He had a few days where the mercury climbed above 100 degrees, but he dealt with that by finding a shady place to rest during the hottest hours of the afternoon. Even the mosquitoes cut him a break.

“I timed it just right,” he said. “Anthony Lakes was the only place they were bad.”

Get involved

To sign up for a volunteer trail maintenance work party, go to hellscanyon.org/volunteer

Cusick Mountain is seen from Hawkins Pass in the Wallowa Mountains.

Highs and lows

And there were some truly magical moments along the way, Gill said. He turned 29 a week into the journey, shortly after his first resupply at Austin Junction, in the vicinity of Vinegar Hill in the Greenhorn Mountains.

“I celebrated by sleeping in till 9 a.m.,” Gill said. “I also found a heartshaped belt buckle that I carried with me as a spiritual talisman the rest of the trail. I still have it today.”

A few days later, he arrived in Sumpter just in time to catch the town’s Fourth of July celebration.

“I met some Squatchers,” Gill said. “They were playing drums and wind flutes and getting real spiritual about it. It was so cool!”

And the whole trail was a highlight reel of spectacular landscapes. Gill cited parts of the Strawberry Mountains, the Elkhorn Crest, Baldy

Lake in the Greenhorns and the high Wallowa peaks as some of his personal favorites.

“(But) the best experience of the whole trip was dipping down from Buckhorn Lookout into Imnaha Canyon,” he said.

The view was so expansive, and the drop from the lookout into the canyon bottom so precipitous, that he started getting vertigo.

“That was so insane,” he said. “That was my favorite spot.”

But while the rewards of thru-hiking the Blue Mountains Trail were many, he added, they wouldn’t have seemed so sweet without the obstacles he had to overcome.

“The Blue Mountains Trail is the most perfect trail, in my mind,” Gill said.

“It was so special — the ups and downs, from thunderstorms to beautiful days — and that’s the way an adventure should be.”

Early in his trek, Gill was challenged by lingering snow and torrential hailstorms as he traversed the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness in June 2023. This photo shows a view of Strawberry Lake from just below Strawberry Mountain.

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