{"id":54005,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54005","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54005"],"author":"50","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-12 17:20:58","date_utc":"2025-12-12 22:20:58","modified":"2026-05-11 10:46:55","modified_utc":"2026-05-11 14:46:55","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/volunteer-vacation-trip\/eagle-cap-alpine-adventure-hikers-paradise-or\/","rest_url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-json\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/54005","title":"Eagle Cap Alpine Adventure- Hiker’s Paradise, OR","description":"

Backpacking among Oregon\u2019s Glacial Lakes and Wild and Scenic Rivers!<\/p>\n

Join this popular backcountry backpacking project in the stunning Eagle Cap Wilderness! The Eagle Cap Wilderness lies in the heart of the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.<\/p>\n

The East Fork Lostine Trail is a popular route used to access the Lakes Basin Management Area in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Backpackers, day hikers, and horseback riders enjoy the sights of thick forests, cascading creeks, glacial valleys, steep scree slopes, and a striking view of this area\u2019s namesake peak.<\/p>\n

The 2026 project will focus on restoring a segment of the trail to Eagle Cap Summit which has been damaged by extensive erosion and heavy foot traffic. Volunteers will take part in hands-on rock work, including the installation of water bars and check dams, signpost and cairn installation, as well as tread stabilization along steep rocky terrain.<\/p>\n

The worksite sits above Mirror Lake and Upper Lake, offering incredible views of the Lostine Valley and Lakes Basin. Each day will include meaningful elevation gain\u2014up to 1,000 feet\u2014as the crew hikes to and from the work site(s). In addition to the erosion restoration, there is an opportunity to rehabilitate braided trail sections, install and repair Restoration Site signage in impacted areas, and install water control features such as check dams, French drains, and water bars on Trail #1661 near Ivan Carper Pass by Upper Lake. Other opportunities may include fire ring deconstruction and campsite restoration at Upper or Mirror Lakes.<\/p>\n

This project gives volunteers the chance to protect a beloved and highly trafficked Wilderness route, preserve fragile alpine landscapes, and directly improve trail safety and sustainability for years to come.<\/p>\n

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation!\u00a0<\/b>Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it\u2019s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Avg. Temperature:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of around 75\u201380\u00b0F and lows of 45\u201350\u00b0F. Early August in northeastern Oregon\u2019s Wallowa Mountains offers warm, dry days, cool nights, and generally light, infrequent showers.<\/p>\n

Land Acknowledgment:<\/strong><\/p>\n

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Nez Perce, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.<\/p>","excerpt":"","slug":"eagle-cap-alpine-adventure-hikers-paradise-or","image":{"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5.jpg","id":54285,"extension":"jpg","width":2074,"height":1556,"filesize":935053,"sizes":{"medium":{"width":550,"height":413,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":44457,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5-550x413.jpg"},"large":{"width":800,"height":600,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":95709,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5-800x600.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"width":300,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":18058,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5-300x300.jpg"},"1536x1536":{"width":1536,"height":1152,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":399695,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5-1536x1152.jpg"},"2048x2048":{"width":2048,"height":1536,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":718599,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5-2048x1536.jpg"},"rta_thumb_no_cropped_1920x9999":{"width":1920,"height":1440,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":633372,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/eagle-cap-5-1920x1440.jpg"}}},"all_day":true,"start_date":"2026-08-08 00:00:00","start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"08","hour":"00","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"end_date":"2026-08-15 23:59:59","end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"15","hour":"23","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"utc_start_date":"2026-08-08 04:00:00","utc_start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"08","hour":"04","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"utc_end_date":"2026-08-16 03:59:59","utc_end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"16","hour":"03","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"timezone":"America\/New_York","timezone_abbr":"EDT","cost":"","cost_details":{"currency_symbol":"","currency_code":"","currency_position":"","values":[]},"website":"","show_map":true,"show_map_link":true,"hide_from_listings":false,"sticky":false,"featured":false,"categories":[],"tags":[],"venue":{"id":38423,"author":"22","status":"publish","date":"2018-11-16 13:09:09","date_utc":"2018-11-16 18:09:09","modified":"2024-01-03 12:22:43","modified_utc":"2024-01-03 17:22:43","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/eagle-cap-wilderness\/","venue":"Eagle Cap Wilderness","slug":"eagle-cap-wilderness","address":"88401 Highway 82","city":"Enterprise","country":"United States","province":"Oregon","state":"OR","zip":"97828","stateprovince":"OR","json_ld":{"@type":"Place","name":"Eagle Cap Wilderness","description":"","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/eagle-cap-wilderness\/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"88401 Highway 82","addressLocality":"Enterprise","addressRegion":"OR","postalCode":"97828","addressCountry":"United States"},"telephone":"","sameAs":""},"show_map":true,"show_map_link":true,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=38423","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=38423"]},"organizer":[{"id":33159,"author":"22","status":"publish","date":"2017-12-05 11:03:10","date_utc":"2017-12-05 16:03:10","modified":"2018-11-16 13:06:03","modified_utc":"2018-11-16 18:06:03","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/host\/forest-service\/","organizer":"Forest Service","slug":"forest-service","json_ld":{"@type":"Person","name":"Forest Service","description":"","url":"","telephone":"","email":"","sameAs":""},"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=33159","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=33159"]}],"custom_fields":{"_ecp_custom_3":{"label":"Project Rating","value":"Strenuous"},"_ecp_custom_4":{"label":"Trip Accommodations","value":"Primitive Tent Sites"},"_ecp_custom_5":{"label":"Accommodations Description","value":"The base camp for this project will be in a backcountry setting. Volunteers will carry all personal camping gear, while group gear and food will be transported via pack stock. Volunteers should be prepared for a backpacking-like experience with a few extra amenities in the camp kitchen such as coolers, roll-up tables, and a four-burner propane stove. Volunteers will practice \"Leave No Trace\" camping skills by using cat holes or a temporary latrine to dispose of human waste. The Forest Service will provide water filters to collect potable water for cooking and drinking. Volunteers need to bring their own backpacks, tent and personal camping gear; water filtration, sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; towels; and personal cup, bowl, mug, and eating utensils."},"_ecp_custom_6":{"label":"Area and Attractions","value":"The spectacular Eagle Cap Wilderness takes in most of the high country in the remote Wallowa Mountains of Northeast Oregon. The largest wilderness area in the state. The Eagle Cap encompasses over 350,000 acres of breathtaking mountain scenery. There are 52 glacial lakes, 4 wild and scenic rivers, and over 500 miles of trail in this rugged area. Volunteers will have plenty of time to relax, soak in the views and explore the surrounding area on this backcountry trip!"},"_ecp_custom_9":{"label":"Minimum Age","value":"18"},"_ecp_custom_10":{"label":"Maximum Group Size","value":"10"},"_ecp_custom_11":{"label":"Travel Details","value":"Lewiston Nez Perce County Airport in Lewiston, ID is the closest airport. Airport pickup is not provided but carpooling can be arranged upon confirmation of the trip. Volunteers may choose to drive their own vehicle or be transported in a Forest Service vehicle from the meeting location to the trail head. Two Pan Trailhead is about 25 miles from our meeting location in Enterprise, OR and is accessible by passenger vehicle, though the Lostine River Road is gravel for 12 miles. Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged. \r\n\r\nWe will plan to meet in Enterprise on Saturday afternoon and hike to base camp on Sunday. We will hike out the following Saturday, which may take most of the day. Folks should plan their drives and flights knowing that we may not be out of the woods until late Saturday afternoon."},"_ecp_custom_23":{"label":"Project Access","value":"Volunteers will hike from the Two Pan Trailhead approximately 7 miles to basecamp with about 2000 feet of elevation gain. The trail is primitive but well-travelled. There is one water crossing that may require folks to get their feet wet. Volunteers will need to carry their personal gear ONLY. From basecamp, volunteers will hike 1-3 miles to reach the worksite each day, with elevation gain up to 2000 ft."},"_ecp_custom_32":{"label":"Hike Type","value":"Backpacking"},"_ecp_custom_33":{"label":"Registration URL","value":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/civicrm\/event\/register\/?id=379&reset=1"},"_ecp_custom_34":{"label":"Trip Length","value":"Full (week long)"},"_ecp_custom_37":{"label":"Volunteer Age","value":"Adults age 18 and up"}},"json_ld":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Event","name":"Eagle Cap Alpine Adventure- Hiker’s Paradise, OR","description":"<p>Backpacking among Oregon\u2019s Glacial Lakes and Wild and Scenic Rivers! Join this popular backcountry backpacking project in the stunning Eagle Cap Wilderness! 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