Echo Lake Backpacking Trip
- Tina McLain
- 15 minutes ago
- 8 min read
A backpacking trip to a lake in Eagle Cap Wilderness in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
Lake Name: Echo Lake
Lake Coordinates: 45.11682, -117.45345
Lake Elevation: 7227'
Access: Trail
Total Distance: 10.93 miles (round trip)
Total Elevation Range: 5444' to 7317'
Total Ascent/Descent: +1886 ft/-1896 ft
Trail Type: In and out
Trails: West Eagle Trail #1934
Outing Type: Backpacking
Permits/Fees: Forest Service pass required for parking at trailhead. Free self-issue wilderness permit required, at trailhead kiosk.
Note: There are two Echo Lakes in Eagle Cap Wilderness, this specific one is close to Traverse Lake on the south side of the wilderness.
Location: Near Traverse Lake along the West Eagle Trail in Eagle Cap Wilderness within Wallowa Whitman National Forest in Oregon, U.S.A.
Administration: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Ranger District: Eagle Cap Ranger District
Wilderness Area: Eagle Cap Wilderness
Date Accessed: August 19-21, 2025
I wanted to do a backpacking trip really bad this summer, but it was definitely a big push with having had surgery earlier in the summer and dealing with chronic illness in general. I ended up driving to the Wallowa's with no idea if I'd be up for backpacking or not. I decided to drive near the trailhead and camp, then decided the day of if I was going to be up for doing it. Echo Lake is located on the southern side of Eagle Cap Wilderness near Traverse Lake. It is most easily accessed via the West Eagle Trail #1934. There are many ways to make this a longer trip or add day hikes from camping at Echo Lake.
Day 1 - West Eagle Trailhead to Echo Lake
Daily Distance: 5.57 miles (point-to-point)
Elevation Range: 5479' to 7317'
Ascent/Descent: +1853 ft/-82 ft
Camp: Echo Lake
Water: Multiple water sources along trail except during switchbacks. Lake near camp.
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
I woke up at 5:40am and packed up my car camping gear. I was camping at the West Eagle Meadow Campground which was near the trailhead for where I was planning on backpacking. I then worked on getting all my gear together for backpacking before driving to the trailhead. It was literally a one minute drive from the campground I stayed at. I filled out the wilderness permit, then started hiking by 7:15am. I decided to take it really easy. I was prepared to turn around with the first 1.5-2 miles if anything flared up bad with my chronic illness or seemed like it might. I took regular breaks and was able to make it all the way to the lake!
From the trailhead, the trail gradually went slightly uphill. It passed along the west eagle meadow which had a heard of cattle in it. As the trail went into the forest I saw a deer as well. The trail was quite obvious and gradually went uphill with a few fairly easy creek crossings. The "largest" stream crossing was the West Eagle Creek crossing. There was a downed log I was able to balance-beam by way across. All the crossings ended up being dry crossings.
After that the trail started to climb a bit more uphill, alternated between meadows and forest. I got my first glimpses of the towering rock mountains in the distance which were stunning. The trail eventually came to cross West Eagle Creek once again, and I nearly ended up in the water. My foot slipped off a rock on the crossing, but overall I was able to make it across dry. I took a break before the trail started to climb up the mountain side with what I learned later was 40 switchbacks.
The switchbacks initially were in the forest and passed the trail intersection for Tombstone Lake. As the trail climbed, it eventually became more exposed and started passing through rock fields with the trail getting more and more rocky. There were a few sections of trail that were eroding, but still safely passable. Near the start of the switchbacks, there is a waterfall visible in the distance to the southeast. It was a barely there trickle and the sun was always in the wrong spot to get a decent photo of it on my way in and out.
I have to by honest the last 1.5 miles sucked. I had a knee that was bugging me and the heat was getting to me since the switchbacks were all exposed to the sun. I was hungry and tired. I ended up stopping at West Eagle Creek just before the lake to eat some of my lunch and take a break. The last push to the lake was miserable for me, but it was very pretty.
I made it to Echo Lake and looked for a legal campsite. I found one empty one and went a little further to see if there were any more hidden from the trail, there wasn't one close by and I was exhausted so I backtracked and went to the empty spot. I grabbed my foam pad out and just laid on the ground for a few minutes. I then set up my tent, got some water from the lake and then completely crashed on my pad in the tent. Later in the afternoon the tent started to get hot from the sun being on it, so I went down to the lake, rinsed off and took some photos. It was so beautiful. I could hear, and even at one point see, rocks falling on the slopes on the opposite side of the lake.
I was really glad the bugs weren't bad during my hike. Near the lake there were flies, but being inside my tent made it so they didn't bother me. I only saw one other group hike past. I did have people camping on either side of me, but we were spaced out enough I didn't see them and it felt like I was alone which was really nice. At one point in the evening someones dog barked and it echoed throughout the whole area. So the name Echo Lake totally makes sense.
My favorite part of the day was as sunset neared and it was golden hour. It was so incredibly beautiful on the lake and rock cliffs. I was in awe.
Day 2 - Resting at Echo Lake
Daily Distance: Maybe 1/2 mile total, mostly stayed in camp and along lake edge.
Camp: Echo Lake (same spot as night before)
Water: Lake near camp.
Note: I didn't feel up to day hiking, but day hiking to Traverse Lake would be a do-able option.
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
I woke up after having slept pretty good for backpacking. I got by birthday breakfast and went down to the lakes edge to eat it – butter waffles with almond/hazelnut chocolate butter with some freeze-dried mango on the side. I decided I was just going to laze around camp and the lake for the day.
I realized I didn't describe the lake yesterday since I was so exhausted. The lake is on the larger side, with blue-green water and rock islands in the middle. The shoreline has trees and rock outcroppings. The shoreline near me is sandy. On the other side of the lake rocky mountains with rock fields and cliff climb up from the lake with trees scattered between, The lake is crystal clear, I can even see the bottom in the middle of the lake!
I watercolor painted for a good portion of the day which was so relaxing. My backpacking trips in recent years have been very miles based, not staying in one spot more than one night, but after this trip I plan to set up trips so I have low-key days to just be at camp or day-hike around. I really enjoyed getting to experience a place, not just see it and move on to the next place. It was so refreshing to just be in nature. It was a really wonderful way to spend my birthday. I spent some time down along the lakes edge and took pictures of different flowers. I enjoyed watching the dragon flies that were out. There were wind gusts that were loud and that were pretty cool to watch ripple across the water.
I ended up being the only person camping at the lake my second night, as far as I could tell. I made the mistake of forgetting my chapstick.... which I will NEVER do again. Out of all the things I could have forgotten it definitely wasn't the worst, but my lips were so chapped, sunburnt, and dry it was rather painful. I got desperate enough I tried rubbing olive oil from my food gear on my lips which didn't really help much unfortunately.
Day 3 - Echo Lake to West Eagle Trailhead
Daily Distance: 5.36 miles (point-to-point)
Elevation Range: 5444' to 7314'
Ascent/Descent: +33 ft/-1814 ft
Water: Multiple water sources along trail except during switchbacks.
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
I got up around 6am and packed up camp. I wanted to start my hike out as early as possible to try and avoid the sun beaming down on the switchbacks. I hiked painfully slow and was very intentional with my step to try to avoid my hips/knees flaring up. I filled up with water at the first stream crossing right before the switchbacks. I then started down the switchbacks taking it slow with frequent breaks. (Such is life with chronic illness lol). A group of 3 people came up behind me so I found a spot to stop to let them pass. I ended up talking with one of them for a little bit and found out they'd been up at Traverse Lake. I was able to make my way down most of the switchbacks before the sun was out which made for a far more pleasant hike.
I was experiencing some nerve and back pain but with my breaks and readjusting my pack I was able to keep the pain bearable. I didn't come across anyone else on the trail. During the last mile and half I was dodging cow pies which were rather fresh, but I didn't end up seeing any cattle on my way out.
I was so proud of myself when I reached the trailhead. I did a solid solo backpack and actually enjoyed myself! For only being 2 months post surgery and dealing with some low back issues I did really good.
I mentioned the physical and tough parts to really show what backpacking with chronic illness can be like, because honestly the first day, after I made it to camp, I was going WTF did I get myself into and was in a large amount of pain. I experienced dissociation but was able to ride it which was a big accomplishment for me. I slept well both nights, no staying up all night freaking out. I flared pretty bad after this trip, but I was so excited that I was able to backpack even though I definitely paid for it after. I can't backpack frequently but when I do having the ability it really makes me happy.
Coordinates
Trailhead: 45.07967, -117.47702
Creek crossing: 45.08789, -117.47889
Creek crossing: 45.09261, -117.47711
Creek crossing: 45.09382, -117.47636
Short muddy section: 45.09726, -117.47662
Water source: 45.10082, -117.47435
Water source (tiny stream): 45.10196, -117.47212
Creek crossing: 45.10615, -117.46730
Trail intersection: 45.10848, -117.46563
Stream crossing: 45.11811, -117.46263
Echo Lake: 45.11682, -117.45345
How to get there (from La Grande, OR)
Under maps below, I show the route I took to access the trailhead. There are other ways, and even a more direct way with taking Eagle Creek Road/FS 7700 from Hwy 203 instead of taking Big Creek Road/FS 6700 to Eagle Creek Road/FS 7700 like I did.
Note: some parts of the road are narrow, switchbacks on steep hillsides (FS 6700).
Maps
Driving Route
Backpacking Route
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