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Hells Canyon National Recreation Area / Eagle Cap Wilderness

Image of a scenic view of mountains.

Trail Miles
1,251

Forests Involved

 

Remarkable landscapes in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area / Eagle Cap Wilderness Priority Area are accessed by 1,251 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails. The trails wind through the deepest river canyon in North America, the remote alpine terrain of the Seven Devil’s mountain range, and over 350,000 acres in the Eagle Cap Wilderness—the largest designated wilderness in Oregon.

Regular wind events and frequent wildfires have increased degradation in the area and led to some impassible trails and public concerns about safety.

Multiple partner and volunteer groups are crucial to maintaining trails and access into this area. The Nez Perce and Wallowa Whitman National Forests are working with partner and volunteer groups to develop a maintenance plan.

Trail Maintenance Priority Area map (PDF - 2MB)

Highlights:

  • Despite large fires on the district in July leading to major closures in eastern Pasayten, the district was able to accomplish a lot of work in the central and northern Pasayten.

Examples of Trail Maintenance Needs:

  • Remove hazard trees and blowdowns

  • Remove overgrown brush

  • Conduct general trail maintenance

  • Complete trail reconstruction and reroutes

  • Improve community access to public land

  • Repair and replace drainage structures

  • Repair and replace trail bridges, puncheons, and turnpikes

Image of trail workers on a trail with tools.

 

Image of trail workers building a bridge.Image of trail workers cutting a log with a crosscut saw.Image of trail workers working on a trail.
Our Partners: 

  • American Hiking Society

  • Back Country Horsemen of Oregon

  • Blue Mountain Back Country Riders

  • County of Wallowa

  • Eagle Cap Nordic Club

  • Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative

  • Idaho Aviation Association

  • Idaho Trails Association

  • Idaho Conservation Corps

  • Montana Conservation Corps

  • Oregon Equestrian Trails

  • Sierra Club

  • Student Conservation Association

  • Twin Rivers Back Country Horsemen

  • Trail Keepers of Oregon

  • University of Idaho

  • Wilderness Volunteers

  • Wallowa County Gamblers

  • Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association

  • Wallowa County Pilots Association

Image of trail workers on a completed log bridge.

Learn More & Get Involved!

To know more about trail maintenance efforts in this priority area, contact:

Sweyn Wall, Recreation Specialist