West Eagle Meadows Trailhead

Area Status: Closed

The West Eagle Meadows Trailhead is one of the 'late season' trailheads to open in the early summer due to the area's heavy snow accumulation and high elevation. Located near West Eagle Creek and meadow, this site is frequented by hikers and equestrians alike who want to enjoy a day or extended trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness area. The combination trailhead and equestrian camp offers parking facilities for both stock and non-stock users, and has hitching rails, a loading ramp and feed bunks.

The West Eagle trail provides access to Echo, Traverse, Diamond and Tombstone lakes as well as a beautiful trip along the Minam River. You can also access many other destinations in the wilderness from this trail. Fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities abound as you travel through diverse landscapes of meadows, lakes, and mountains.

Adjacent to the trailhead is the West Eagle Meadows Campground with tent and walk-in campsites and a picnic area.

A printable map and additional information about the area.

At a Glance

Reservations:	This site is not reservable.
Area Amenities:	Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking
Fees:	$5/vehicle/day, or Northwest Forest Pass, or any form of the America the Beautiful National Pass. (The nearby West Eagle Meadows Campground is a separate fee site.)
Permit Info:	All visitors to the Eagle Cap Wilderness must obtain a Wilderness Visitor Permit before entering the area. Only one permit is required per group and there is no fee for the permits. Registration and Permit boxes are located at each trailhead near the information board. The permits are self-issued.
Open Season:	May
Usage:	Light
Restrictions:	General rules of use and restrictions apply for this developed recreation site. Wilderness Regulations apply within Eagle Cap Wildernes. Motorized vehicles, bicycles, carts, hang glider and other mechanical equipment is prohibited in the Wilderness area.
Closest Towns:	La Grande, Oregon (43 miles); Baker City, Oregon (34 miles)
Water:	No
Restroom:	Vault Toilet
Passes:	Recreation Passes may be used as a form of fee payment. You will need to display a valid day pass (or annual pass) for each day your vehicle is at a recreation site where a fee is required.
Operated By:	Forest Service
Information Center:	For trailhead and facilities info contact the La Grande Ranger District. For trail info contact the Wallowa Mountains Office.

General Information

Directions:

From La Grande, Oregon, travel south on State Highway 203 for about 14 miles to Union, Oregon; In Union turn left on East Beakman Street and continue on Highway 203 for 14 more miles to Catherine Creek Summit; At the summit turn left on Forest Road 77 and follow it for 15 miles to the campground entrance on your left side after the West Eagle Creek crossing.

From Baker City, Oregon head north on Interstate 84 for 5 miles to exit 298 (State Highway 203); Turn right off Interstate 84 to State 203 Highway and travel 18 miles to Medical Springs, Oregon; In Medical Springs turn right on Big Creek Road and go 1.5 miles to Forest Road 67; Turn left on Forest Road 67 and go about 14 miles to Forest Road 77; Turn left on Forest Road 77 and go about 5 miles to the campground entrance which is on your right before the West Eagle Creek crossing.

Advisory: Forest Road 77 is graveled, and the last 4 miles are extremely rough and not recommended for passenger cars or trailers.

General Notes:

Beginning at West Eagle Campground, trail #1934 wanders, river-grade, along West Eagle Meadows and West Eagle Creek for a few miles and then heads toward pristine mountain lakes.