Joe Whittle

When I think about the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon region of Eastern Oregon, I think about clear waters winding from snowy alpine crags into rocky desert canyons at the bottom of the continent. I think about waves of evergreen forest undulating in afternoon sunlight across mountain slopes and rolling hills. I think about cold prairie winds whistling through bunch grass and aspens in places thousands of elk make their winter home. I think about wild salmon and steelhead finding their way from Pacific Ocean... More

The Wallowa Mountains, contained within Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness, include 18 peaks over 9,000 feet within 360,000 acres of wilderness in the remote northeastern corner of Oregon — the largest wilderness area in the state. Born and raised in Wallowa County, I’ve been hiking and exploring the Wallowa Mountains backcountry for 33 years. Even when… More