Eagle Creek

Oregon

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Post Office Box 907
Baker City, Oregon 97814

Designated Reach: October 28, 1988. From its headwaters below Eagle Lake to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest boundary at Skull Creek.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 4.0 miles; Scenic — 6.0 miles; Recreational — 17.0 miles; Total — 27.0 miles.

The diversity of landforms, water, color, and vegetation, which are present throughout the designated portion of Eagle Creek, is one of the most attractive attributes of the river corridor. The headwaters originate high in the glacial cirque in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. From its beginning at the outlet of Eagle Lake, the creek follows a steep gradient over small waterfalls and bouldery white water rapids as it descends from the mountains. Vegetation in the classic u-shaped glacial valley alternates between high mountain meadows and stands of subalpine fir and whitebark pine. Expansive views of the surrounding Wallowa mountains are afforded, and scoured rock outcrops create a highly diverse and dynamic landscape that vies attention with the crystal clear creek.

The valley floor becomes relatively flat and wide at Main Eagle trailhead, and for the next five miles Eagle Creek temporarily slows in its rapid descent from the high mountains. Clear blue-green pools alternate with rapids as the creek winds its way through lush green, boulder-strewn meadows and park-like forests. Vegetation and canyon walls generally limit views to the immediate foreground, except for the breathtaking views of the mountains seen from the northern end of the road.

Eagle Creek leaves a landscape dominated by glacial features below its confluence with West Eagle Creek. For approximately the next 10 miles, the valley closes in and canyon walls become abruptly steep, towering 500-1000' above the valley floor in some places. Eagle Creek resumes its fast-moving, bouldery descent through the narrow canyon, bordered by lush riparian vegetation and picturesque meadows. Dramatic rock formations extending from rim to canyon floor punctuate otherwise forested hillsides. The road paralleling Eagle Creek offers unrestricted views of the creek in the immediate foreground and surrounding hillsides.

As it enters the lower elevation basalt-dominated plateaus surrounding the Wallowa Mountains, the lower seven miles of the designated portion of Eagle Creek take on a character more typical of eastern Oregon rivers. Mixed conifer forests are replaced on drier slopes by grassy openings and park-like stands of ponderosea pine. Unusual rock formations provide visual contrast. By this time, Eagle Creek has become substantial in size from the contributions of several major tributaries, and alternates between bouldery rapids, short waterfalls, smooth swift stretches, and deep blue pools. Visitors can enjoy views of the creek and canyon from the Martin Bridge Trail, which parallels the six-mile scenic segment of Eagle Creek, and from road #7735, which parallels the lower 1-1/2 mile recreation segment.

The river area also offers cultural and historic features, as well as spectacular scenery and recreation opportunities.