Backpacking 40 Miles Alone in the Oregon Wallowas
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- IG: @radishuprooted
The Wallowas are a hidden gem of a mountain range located in North Eastern Oregon, on the border with Idaho and Washington. They are geologically considered a sub range of the American Rockies, and are surprisingly different from the Oregon Cascades, just a few hours away. At some turns seeming like the Colorado Rockies, at others seeming like California's Sierra Nevada, and sometimes like the Pacific Northwest Cascades, the Wallowas are full of surprises. My route starts and ends at the Lake Wallowa Trail Head outside of Joseph, and clocks in at 40 miles over 4 days and 3 nights. The route starts up the East Fork of the Wallowa River to Aneroid Lake, up and over Tenderfoot Pass and Polaris Pass, crossing the West Fork of the Wallowa River, past Frazier Lake to Glacier Lake. From there, it continues up and over Glacier Pass into the Lakes Basin before heading down and out via the West Fork of the Wallowa River to the trail head. Happy hiking!
What a fantastic trip you took us on. Did you film the trip by setting your camera then having to back track to pick it up? If yes, thanks even more. Super peaceful to watch. And I loved the no talking aspect of your filming.
Thanks for the kind words! Indeed that’s how I filmed it, which added a surprising amount of mileage, but made for a fun project!
I'm jealous. I'm getting older but still fit. I told my wife this year I want to go to the Wallowas.
Not sure I could do the trip you did, but I am so there.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Signed,
Life long Oregonian.
Heck yeah, keep getting after it! Thanks for sharing!
New sub ! Liked 😆✌️👍😊
This is awesome! What month was this?
Thanks! This was from the second week of July in 2022.
Very nice vid. Doing similar style. If u make it to the Olympics let me know. I’ll buy u a beer
Thank you for such an inspiring video. It didn't go unnoticed how many redundant miles you hiked having to set the camera and retrace. I didn't realize how "wet" the crossing could be and I'll keep that in mind when I do my loop. Also, I intended to go from Anaroid Lake to Frazier Lake via Polaris Pass but now I know I can reach Polaris via Tender Foot Pass.
I plan to do this in mid-September and in addition to hiking poles, I might bring a Yak-Trak device (rather than full crampons) if snowfields warrant them.
Thanks for the kind words! You’ll have a blast on this loop in September. I doubt you’ll have to worry about river crossings or a need for traction devices that late in the season. This was filmed in June, just as the thaw was melting the majority of the snowpack. Have a great time!
Sept is great time. Zero bugs, maybe 1 out 10 years you would need traction add ons. Tempts are ideal and 100% yall have fun, those things would needed if push in june, as goes the water crossing as well.
Wow
Any chance you could add a link to your route (all trails, Gaia, etc) to the video description? Thanks and loved the cinematography in this video.
No problem-it was something similar to this AllTrails route. You can at least use it as a place to pull inspiration from to create your own!
East Fork to Glacier Lake to West Fork Loop on AllTrails
www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/east-fork-to-glacier-lake-to-west-fork-loop?sh=s7nqve
@@RadishUprooted thank you 🙏
Fantastically captured surroundings, thumbnail is gorgeous here my friend.🔥🥾🥾
Nice video and beautiful scenery. Mountain goats close at 9:50 & 11:50. Did this in June. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the wonderful video. We did the exact trip many years ago, except later in the season so we had no snow or water crossing issues. OMG, how I remember the trail off of Polaris Pass down to the west fork. Rough. That trip still ranks as one of our best and favorites. I knew every lake and spot you hiked past. It was great to relive it through you.
Such a beautiful area! We did a similar route last year except we just came up and down the west fork side, though the east side does look amazing. Such an unreal mountain range! Can’t wait to go back. Awesome video!
This video is phenomenal! You timed this perfectly. Just a touch of snow as winter has released its grip and pre fire season it looks like or am I wrong?
Thank you! And you’re correct, I hiked this in early July 2022. The snow was still continuous at upper elevations, but the melt was in full effect and the wildflowers were popping up at mid elevations. Lower elevations were already pretty hot!
Thanks for sharing! I am hoping to complete the trail next month. Do you have any advice?
Enjoy it! By then there’ll be little snow on the trail, and much less bugs to terrorize you than I had. The river crossing at the West Fork of the Wallowa River should be much lower by then too. The only place I saw to be careful and watch your footing was the west side of Polaris Pass. It has pretty steep and loose scree for about a mile.
Thank-you! Your video brought me peace and joy.
Thanks for the kind words Janet!
Thank you 🙏
I did the lakes basin area and Ice Lake in late August. I spoke with a few hikers that had done Polaris Pass in the same direction you did it. They mentioned that if they were to do it again they’d go up & over Polaris the other direction next time - basically mentioning it would feel easier/safer. Would you agree with this assessment?
That way would probably feel safer I agree! It wasn’t too spicy, but climbing scree is usually less sketchy than descending. But I really enjoyed the direction of the loop overall, and would do it again in a heartbeat.
@@RadishUprooted - thanks for the feedback. Several years ago I hiked in the East Fork trail to Aneroid Lake. Gorgeous hike. I was unable to continue due to a knee issue that I was having. Really want to get back up there. May just have to put your route on the ever growing to do list!
Super epic. 💚💚.
Thank you!
@@RadishUprooted Yes, we have gone back and enjoy your style, watched several last night...excited for more!
Another great video
🏳🌈