By:
Submission
The Lostine River is located in northeast Oregon on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Originating from Minam Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, the river flows through a glaciated, U-shaped valley and is surrounded by mountain meadows and high mountain peaks. The upper five miles of the designated segment, within the wilderness, are classified as wild, and the lower 11 miles are classified as recreational. The river's outstandingly remarkable values include recreation, scenery, fisheries, wildlife and vegetation/botany.
Visitors can access the river in a variety of ways. The Two Pan Trailhead and provides the best hike along the upper section in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Forest Service roads provide access to most segments below the wilderness boundary. Camping along the river is available at seven developed campgrounds and several dispersed campsites. Most of the day-use trailheads and campgrounds in the corridor are fee sites with on-site payment facilities.
The river corridor supports a diversity of wildlife habitats and species, including Rocky Mountain elk, deer, black bear, wolf, mountain lion, beaver, otter, mink and other small mammals. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, indigenous to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, have been reintroduced in the Hurricane Creek-Lostine River drainage. Peregrine falcons, bald eagles and a large variety of other birds inhabit the area. The river supports spring and fall Snake River Chinook salmon (listed as threatened under ESA), steelhead and bull trout.
The unique area is home to numerous proposed, endangered, threatened and sensitive species of plants. These include 11 species of moonwart and the Northern twayblade. The rarity of finding so many moonwarts in one locality provides the opportunity for scientific research and a delight for botanists.
The Lostine River is located on the north side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness along the Lostine Canyon Corridor. The corridor is 17 miles west of Enterprise and Joseph, Oregon, and 62 miles northeast of La Grande, Oregon.
Originating at Minam Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, the Wild and Scenic Lostine River flows for 16 miles down the canyon to the Forest boundary. Inside of the wilderness, the river follows trail #1620 up to Minam Lake. Once outside of the wilderness, there are several campgrounds, forest camps, trailheads and picnic areas to enjoy by the river.
