Comments on: Wallowa River Loop Backpacking Guide

By: Ian Krammer

Ian Krammer — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 22:54:37 +0000

In reply to Alex Schoe. We love to hear that! Thanks for the feedback. How were the fall colors?

By: Alex Schoe

Alex Schoe — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:45:32 +0000

Just got back from this trip this week and used this guide extensively to plan our time. Just wanted to say thank you! Late September in the Wallowas was absolutely perfect in terms of weather and views.

By: Kelli B

Kelli B — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:17:42 +0000

Curious if dogs are allowed on this hike? Will check in with a ranger too. Thanks!

By: Dave Collins

Dave Collins — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 19:10:32 +0000

In reply to Richard Davies.

Yup, I think you should be good to go.

By: Richard Davies

Richard Davies — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 03:36:32 +0000

Are there enough trees at the various campsites for a hammock or should I use a tent instead?

By: Dave Collins

Dave Collins — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 18:26:34 +0000

In reply to Kim.

Yup, that's possible, but it depends on your fitness and experience. We hiked it in three days, but we tend to hike longer miles than most, and biting off more than you can chew is a fairly common beginner mistake, so I'd make sure you know that you're up to the task. Miles and elevation gain are probably the two most important factors to look at. Have a great hike!

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 02:59:38 +0000

Is it possible to do this hike in three days, 2 nights? We would like to go next weekend but only have three days. Thanks for the helpful website!
Kim

By: Erik

Erik — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:58:55 +0000

In reply to Ksenia.

Ksenia, Just did most of this loop last weekend, skipped the lake basin area due to time though. I would call the east side very hard, granted I am not a fan of heights at all. Very thin trail, sometimes tough to put both feet next to each other, loose rock, and at least one switchback that I had to sort of lower myself down to make the turn. We encountered snow on the way up the other side that didn’t have any signs of travel and had to just make "steps" to go across. Hopefully the link works but this is a screen cap from my gopro on one part, it’s a little crooked but I think it gives an idea of the terrain coming down?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6SznvWMK0t2QnNDTkdtdlJKR3c/view?usp=sharing

By: Ksenia

Ksenia — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 20:57:06 +0000

In reply to Erik.

Erik, the best I'd recommend looking up Joseph, OR on weather.com and calling the ranger at the Wallowa Ranger Station. Generally it will be in the 80s and 90s that time of year. It's a gorgeous place -- hope you have a great trip!

By: Ksenia

Ksenia — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:22:28 +0000

Hi Dave — I know your name from your YouTube series, so it was cool to find your site pop up as I searched for some info on Polaris Pass. I couldn’t find any dates in this post. Can you tell me when these photos were taken and how "sketchy" Polaris Pass was? The ranger said "it’s a bit sketchy, and there may be some snow on the ground." From what I’m seeing the problems are on the descending, east side. Is it just long and hard, or actually particularly dangerous? As a side note, a couple of years ago we did the East Eagle – Imnaha Loop (from Doug’s book) with all of the recommended side trips and I highly recommend! (In early-ish July there were very few people there).