Oregon · Hiking

Old Chief Joseph Trail

Old Chief Joseph TrailPhoto: pfly from Pugetopolis, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
2.2 mi
round trip
1,867 ft
climb
7,625 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Old Chief Joseph Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. It doesn't name Old Chief Joseph Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Old Chief Joseph Trail is a 4.3-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness, part of the Eagle Cap Ranger District of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail rises from about 6,426 feet to a high point of 7,625 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,867 feet over the course of the round trip. The climb is rated moderate, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.87 miles in, with a grade of 48 percent. The trail is a compact route that fits into a longer day in the area. The Chief Joseph Ascent and the Blowdown lie just a tenth of a mile and 0.2 miles away, so it's easy to pair with another short outing. For an overnight stay, Hurricane Creek Campground is about 4.8 miles off, and the Wallowa Mountains climbing area is roughly 4.4 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Chief Joseph AscentPhoto: pfly from Pugetopolis, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Chief Joseph TrailPhoto: pfly from Pugetopolis, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Mt. Howard summit loopPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Ice Lake TrailPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Ice Lake TrailPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors