Hike & Paddleboard Oregon’s Alps

Nestled in the remote northeastern corner of Oregon, next to Washington state and Idaho, lie the spectacular mountains nicknamed “Oregon’s Swiss Alps.” The Wallowa Mountains tower to nearly 10,000 feet and are much more similar to the Rockies than the Cascade Mountains of Western Oregon.

Pronounced “Wal-OW-ah,” meaning “fish trap” in the Nez Perce language, this rugged and remote range shoots up around Oregon’s largest natural lake, Wallowa Lake. If you ever watched the 1975 movie, “I Will Fight No More Forever,” this valley was the home of Chief Joseph and his Nez Perce tribe. Now it’s also the home of bronze sculptors, loggers, artists, craft beer brewers, and ranchers. Vegetation and weather are similar to that found in the Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado mountains; August weather is typically dry and sunny early in the day, with potential thunderstorms in the afternoon. Wallowa Lake has an amazing natural setting, tucked in a basin between jagged peaks. This wild corner of the state features some of the most spectacular scenery Oregon has to offer, and you will get to gaze up at glaciercapped mountains from a stand-up paddleboard in the middle of the lake!

We’ll be staying at a beautiful summer camp near Wallowa Lake surrounded by trees and mountains. The camp has multiple cabins and a dining hall where delicious homemade meals are provided by the camp owners. The Wallowas are about a 7-hour drive east of Portland, and totally worth the trip. On the last day of your trip, we’ll pack up early, head back to Portland, and arrive late in the afternoon, the day before New Student Orientation begins. During the trip we will have adventures every day, including stand up paddle boarding on Wallowa Lake and spectacular hikes into the Eagle Cap Wilderness, the “crown jewel” of the Wallowa Mountains. We’ll get to enjoy gorgeous sunsets, forests, waterfalls, and a stunning lake. Of course, there will also be time to relax back at camp, swim at the beach, and to get to know the other new students on your trip. We’ll also explore the charming town of Joseph and learn more about the rich history of the area. Because there are lots of day hikes, good fitting comfortable hiking shoes or boots are important. Having lightweight hiking boots with ankle support is the best, since it helps protect you from twisted or injured ankles (low cut hiking shoes have no ankle support). As you might expect, not everyone in the group will hike at the same speed, so we’ll do what is best for the group when it comes to routes. On the average hiking day, the group expects to hike 2-5 miles wearing light daypacks.

The weather can be a beautiful 85° F at noon, and then be snowing by evening. It’s unlikely but not unheard of to have a little snow in late August up at the high lakes in the Wallowas, where we’ll be hiking some days. The camp is at 4,400 feet in elevation, just a short drive from the shores of Wallowa Lake, so expect warm sunny days and cool nights. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning can occur but tend to be fairly short. It’s rare, in this dry part of Oregon, to have a rainy period lasting several days in August, but possible.

• No experience hiking or stand-up paddle boarding required! We’ll teach you everything you need to know.
• Break in your hiking boots: If you are getting new-to-you boots for this trip, you’ll want to wear them around in the weeks leading up to the trip. New boots + long treks = painful blisters. It is very important to break in your boots by wearing them with a pack for extended periods prior to your trip.
• Get moving: It’s a great idea to walk or run this summer to get yourself into shape. This trip is rated as moderate physical rigor.

We eat well on this trip! Some examples of typical meals include: pizza, burritos, and mac & cheese, and we love delicious snacks! This trip can accommodate any dietary restrictions and allergies, as long as you let us know about them ahead of time.

For vegan and other non-medical specialty diets, there is an additional charge. There is no extra cost for vegetarian diets or medical allergy restrictions.