Wallowas Ski Traverse

A ski traverse across the Wallowas is a trip of a lifetime experience.

The Wallowa ski traverse follows a classic line along the eastern edge of the Wallowa Mountains, with stunning scenery and many long ski/ride descents.  A traverse of this nature incorporates many skill sets including; winter camping, steep skiing and climbing, exposed ridgewalks and the opportunity to ski from the summits of some of the highest peaks in the range.  Guests will feel a sense of adventure and extreme accomplishment upon completion of this extraordinary traverse.

We require that all guests have an avalanche beacon, shovel & probe for our outings.

The following itinerary is subject to change, due to weather, avalanche conditions, group fitness, etc.  Your guide will determine exact camp locations and ski objectives.  

Day 0:

  • Meet Guides in Halfway, OR late afternoon
  • Head into Cornucopia Lodge

Day 1: 

  • Skin from Cornucopia, towards Norway yurt 7,000’ and then head to Blue Creek cirque
  • Make a 2,000’ descent from Blue Creek cirque to the South Fork Imnaha River
  • Establish camp alongside the South Fork Imnaha River at 6,000’ amongst a mature larch grove
  • Mileage-8.5, Elevation Gain 4,500’ Elevation Loss 3,200’

Day 2: 

  • Head up and over Marble Mountain gaining 2,400’ and drop into the S. Fork of the Middle Fork Imnaha
  • Possible ascent/descent of Cusick Peak 9,518’
  • Establish camp at the headwaters of the S. Fork of the Middle Fork Imnaha

Day 3: 

  • Leave camp and head towards the saddle of Cusick Peak
  • Ski from the saddle or continue along the ridgeline to Sentinel Peak
  • Ski the NE face of Sentinel Peak
  • Continue to just below Tenderfoot pass and establish camp

Day 4: 

  • Skin up and over Tenderfoot Pass
  • Spend the morning ski touring around Aneroid Lake
  • Ski out mid-day towards Wallowa Lake 6 miles
  • Mileage-6, Elevation Gain 292’, Elevation Loss 3,160’

Difficulty: Previous backcountry experience with ECMG required, advanced skier, good fitness

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Meeting Time: Halfway, OR Day 0 Late Afternoon

Meeting Location: Halfway, OR

What we provide:

  • AMGA trained mountain guides
  • Mega Mids for sleeping
  • Snowmobile tow
  • 3:1 ratio
  • Stoves for cooking
  • Transportation to Cornucopia Lodge
  • Breakfast and dinners

What You Need:

  • Snacks for 4 days (see meal planning guide)
  • Alpine touring equipment – rubber-soled AT boots with walk mode required, Dynafit-style bindings strongly encouraged
  • Splitboarding equipment – hard boot, “Dyna-split” style set up strongly encouraged
  • Ski Crampons, boot crampons, ice axe
  • Backcountry skiing clothing and equipment
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Down booties
  • Review the full equipment list

March 30-April 2, 2023

$1,600

Minimum 2 guests, max 6

Select persons, options, and pick a date

From: $1,600.00

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CONTACT US

503-329-6603

info@eaglecapmountainguides.com

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What our clients say about our trips

“The Wallowa Traverse was a life-changing trip for me. A big reason is that I have 100% trust in Victor and Kelly to maximize adventure while constantly assessing risk and keeping us safe. It was truly a transformational experience!”

This traverse was a big step for me and my crew as it relates to winter camping, skiing under the weight of a heavier pack and moving through truly remote wilderness terrain over a period of days.  Victor and Kelly did an amazing job of making this magical wilderness experience accessible for us.  Can’t wait to expand upon our new skills in the winters ahead with Eagle Cap Mountain Guides.

Victor and Kelly organized and guided our April 2021 Editor’s Choice trip for Backpacker Magazine. Their logistics, story-telling entertainment and professionalism exceeded our expectations. A trip with Eagle Cap Mountain Guides is sure to be a seasonal highlight for anyone!

Victor and his wife Kelly were the perfect guides for our four-day trip in the Wallowas. Victor knows these mountains inside and out, and he chose routes each day that maximized fun skiing, beautiful views, and safety. Both Victor and Kelly were quick to offer information about the range and what we would be skiing, and gave our group of five plenty of tips on how to ascend and descend terrain safely. They were also both incredibly fun to ski with, and gave us an incredible bonus by bringing their dogs Luna and Sadie along. I can’t think of a better, more well-rounded guiding experience.

I’m not the world’s strongest skier, but Victor and Kelly made me feel like I was capable of trying any line we came across. Out in the field, they answered any and all of my questions—beyond their superb back-country skills, they were super knowledgeable about the region’s terrain, wildlife, and history. Their support and encouragement left me with a lot of confidence that I’ve brought home with me. Would recommend 10/10! I can’t wait to head back to the Wallowas!

Victor has guided many group dynamics over 8 yrs of my trips to the Wallowas. He’s cool, calm, and most capable. His cliffside manner is impressive both in helping manage the over-stokers’ desire to send and encouraging those that need a little confidence boost. All the while he’s sharing knowledge and epic adventure tales.

I have been on several trips with Victor and what stands out most about his trips is his demeanor and leadership in a mountain setting. He pays exceptional attention to detail and is very attentive to all clients needs and to safety. I have never been in the mountains with anyone more knowledgable. His expeditions are always well planned and you are sure to have an amazing alpine experience with Victor and his team. I could not recommend him more strongly to guide a fun and safe trip.

Victor has an amazing talent for unassumingly putting together huge tours, confidently and safely guiding through complicated terrain.

My wife and I have had the opportunity to join Victor on 2 ski trips in the Wallowas and a climbing adventure on Mt. Goode. Whether it be hero powder skiing, graybird rain skiing, standing on a remote summit, or slogging out endless miles on the trail, our adventures with Victor has always been epic! He is organized and thorough in his trip planning and logistics. He has a high level of fitness, and he’s an incredibly capable skier, snowboarder, and climber. Victor’s professionalism, sense of humor, and character all amount to someone that you want to spend time with both on the mountain and in the hut/camp! We highly recommend Victor as a guide on your next adventure!