The Wallowa Mountains, most of which are comprised by the 580 square miles of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, extend 60 by 30 miles and contain 17 peaks over 9,000 feet high, including 9,838 Sacajawea Peak, sixth highest in Oregon. Although this part of Oregon has a fairly dry climate, the mountains receive significant snowfall in winter and some trails do not open until July. Expect to see evidence of a complex geological history, and four life zones with vegetation ranging from dry sage to alpine tundra. Wildlife includes plentiful elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, cougars, bighorn (Dall) sheep and mountain sheep. Smaller animals include coyotes, pikas, red diggers (ground squirrels), golden eagles, and grouse.
In terms of human history, the Nez Perce tribe occupied this area for thousands of years; outside contact came first from the Lewis and Clark expedition, trappers and fur traders, then cattlemen, miners, farmers, and merchants. The settlement pressure led to the Nez Perce War of 1877, after which the tribe was scattered to various reservations.
A recent movement toward reconciliation and bringing back a Nez Perce presence to the area has resulted in an annual festival — the Tamkaliks ("From Where you Can See the Mountains") Celebration — at a 160-acre site now owned by the Wallowa Tribe. The event features a symbolic Return to the Homeland on Horseback procession, social and contest dancing, and a friendship feast popular with the local community. It also raises money to carry out the long-term plans of the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Interpretive Center Coalition, including a ceremonial bath house, a cultural center, and a long house. You can visit Chief Joseph's grave between the south end of Joseph and Wallowa Lake.
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