Alright, let’s jaw about them Wallowas, you know, the mountains up there in Oregon. Folks keep askin’ me, “What’s it like packin’ around them parts?” Well, I ain’t no fancy city slicker with all them highfalutin words, but I can tell ya a thing or two, ya hear?
First off, them Wallowas, they’re somethin’ alright. Big ol’ mountains, pokin’ up into the sky. I heard tell the highest one’s called Sacajawea Peak, and it’s way up yonder, near ’bout ten thousand feet! Can ya imagine? That’s a heap taller than my old barn, that’s for sure. They say there’s even a glacier up there. A glacier! That’s just a big ol’ pile of ice that don’t never melt, or so they say. Cold as a well-digger’s backside, I reckon.
Now, if you’re thinkin’ ’bout packin’ in there, you gotta be ready. It ain’t no walk in the park, let me tell ya. You’ll be huffin’ and puffin’ like a steam engine goin’ uphill. Them trails can be steep, and rocky, and twisty like a snake in a hot skillet. You gotta watch your step, or you’ll end up tumblin’ down the mountainside like a sack of potatoes.
Gettin’ There and Findin’ Stuff
They got towns around there, places like Baker City, Sumpter, Granite, and Unity. You can get your gas and grub there, maybe even find a place to sleep if you ain’t keen on sleepin’ under the stars. But once you get into them mountains, it’s mostly just you and the trees and the critters. And maybe a few other folks wanderin’ around, lookin’ for the same kinda peace and quiet you are.
- Baker City: They got a lot of stuff there, like gas for your truck and food for your belly.
- Sumpter: A smaller place, but you might find what you need.
- Granite and Unity: Little towns, but good for a stop if you’re comin’ from a different way.
Water and Weather
There’s this lake there, Wallowa Lake, pretty as a picture, but cold as all get-out most of the year. They say it freezes solid in the winter, and even in the summer it takes a while to warm up. You gotta be tough to jump in that water, or maybe just a little bit crazy. I ain’t judgin’. But if you’re gonna swim, maybe wait till July, and even then, you might wanna wear one of them wetsuits, unless you like bein’ a human icicle.
The weather in them mountains can change faster than a cat can lick its paw. One minute it’s sunshine and blue skies, the next minute it’s rainin’ cats and dogs, or even snowin’, no matter what time of year it is. You gotta be prepared for anything. Bring layers, they say, so you can put on more clothes when it’s cold and take ’em off when it’s hot. Makes sense, I guess.
Where Them Mountains At?
Now, where are these Wallowas, you ask? Well, they’re smack-dab in the middle of Oregon, west of a town called Enterprise, east of LaGrande, and north of Halfway. Kinda in the middle of nowhere, but that’s part of the charm, I reckon. You gotta go lookin’ for ’em if you wanna find ’em.
Packin’ Tips from an Old Gal
If you’re gonna go backpackin’ in the Wallowas, here’s a few things I’d tell ya, even though nobody asked me:
1. Wear good boots. Your feet will thank ya later. Them rocks ain’t soft, let me tell ya.
2. Bring plenty of water, or somethin’ to purify the water you find. You don’t wanna be drinkin’ no funny stuff and gettin’ the bellyaches.
3. Pack light, but pack smart. You gotta carry everything on your back, so don’t be luggin’ around stuff you don’t need. But don’t forget the important stuff neither, like a warm jacket and a good map.
4. Tell somebody where you’re goin’ and when you expect to be back. Just in case. You don’t want folks worryin’ about ya, or worse, not knowin’ where to look if somethin’ happens.
5. Leave no trace. Pack out everything you pack in. Don’t be litterin’ up them mountains. They’re too pretty to be covered in trash.
So there ya have it. A little bit of info about backpackin’ in the Wallowas, from someone who’s seen a thing or two. It ain’t easy, but it’s worth it if you like fresh air, pretty views, and a good challenge. Just be prepared, be careful, and have fun. And don’t forget to take a few pictures, so you can show folks back home what you’ve been up to.
Tags: [Wallowa Mountains, Backpacking, Oregon, Hiking, Eagle Cap Wilderness, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Tips, Pacific Northwest, Mountain Lakes, Sacajawea Peak]
