Eagle Cap Wilderness Loop

Eagle Cap Wilderness Loop
From East Eagle trailhead, follow Trail 1910 toward Horton Pass; seven miles in, just before climbing the pass, take the unmarked trail 1.8 miles to Hidden Lake, and camp on its lonely shores ringed by spiky peaks. From Horton Pass on day two, make the 90-minute round-trip up trailed 9,572-foot Eagle Cap for its 360-degree vista of the range. Continue on Trail 1910 to descend into the Lakes Basin and pick up Trails 1806 and 1820 to sweeping views of the wilderness from Glacier Pass and Hawkins Pass. Complete the loop via Trail 1816, Cliff Creek Trail 1885 (where the larch foliage pops in early October, as it does along Eagle Creek), and Trail 1945.

The wildflowers, lake panoramas, and fall colors make this loop a photographer’s dream. Save space on your memory card for: Mirror Lake reflecting Eagle Cap Peak; Glacier Lake laced by rocky peaks cloaked in snow; and the view down the South Fork Imnaha River Valley from Hawkins Pass. Hit the lakes in the early morning for calm, reflective waters. To see blooming Indian paintbrush, sego lilies, bluebell, and other wildflowers (best at Hawkins Pass and along Cliff Creek), go in July.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 68.5

Waypoints

New East Eagle Trailhead

Location: 45.047882, -117.327578

Little Kettle Creek Junction TR 1945

Location: 45.055382, -117.321151

Road Crossing

Location: 45.057015, -117.32275

View Up Valley

Location: 45.093336, -117.299215

Meadows

Location: 45.100423, -117.298184

A Stream

Location: 45.111212, -117.296208

Cairn Marks Hidden Lake Junction

Location: 45.138879, -117.302395

Moon Lake

Location: 45.137744, -117.320594

Rocky Trench

Location: 45.139333, -117.322543

Nice Campsites

Location: 45.139987, -117.326207

Small Pond

Location: 45.138643, -117.328979

Downed Trees

Location: 45.140758, -117.328963

Meadows at Hidden Lake

Location: 45.141065, -117.331023

Eagle Cap and Glacier Peak Reflected in Hidden Lake

Location: 45.141263, -117.330193

The solitude found at the vast meadows at the West end of Hidden Lake are worth the side trip. The camping possibilities are vast.

Large Stream

Location: 45.141605, -117.305063

Junction – Sharp Right!

Location: 45.146935, -117.310634

Wooden Post in Cairn

Location: 45.147318, -117.310103

Stream At Switchbacks

Location: 45.160099, -117.319089

Approaching Horton Pass

Location: 45.160949, -117.317441

That Stream Again

Location: 45.164977, -117.319577

Talus Gully

Location: 45.16794, -117.322349

The Pink Passageway

Location: 45.17004, -117.321105

Big Grey Blocks

Location: 45.169794, -117.318501

Slot In Trees

Location: 45.170038, -117.317647

Horton Pass

Location: 45.170081, -117.316459

Direct Trail To Summit at Ridgeline

Location: 45.170046, -117.316491

Junction of Official and Ridge Direct Trails

Location: 45.168473, -117.314203

Summit Shrubbery

Location: 45.163262, -117.302615

15-SEP-10 4:35:28PM

Eagle Cap Summit

Location: 45.163631, -117.301707

15-SEP-10 4:37:29PM

Eagle Cap Summit Panorama

Location: 45.163684, -117.301575

Glacier Lake From Eagle Cap Summit

Location: 45.163646, -117.301573

Looking East from the summit of Eagle Cap, over Glacier Lake. Polaris Pass and Sentinel Peak are in the distance.

Official Summit Spur Trail

Location: 45.171883, -117.313774

Eagle Cap Summit Spur

Location: 45.171946, -117.313786

East Lostine/Horton Pass Junction

Location: 45.179355, -117.315265

Mirror Lake Campsites

Location: 45.179618, -117.311368

Junction

Location: 45.180358, -117.308812

Moccasin Lake Jct

Location: 45.182163, -117.301654

Glacier Pass

Location: 45.167563, -117.284848

Eagle Cap From Glacier Lake

Location: 45.163417, -117.284276

The sunlit summit of Eagle Cap, reflected in the chilly green waters of Glacier Lake.

Glacier Lake

Location: 45.163215, -117.284291

Glacier Peak From Glacier Lake

Location: 45.163357, -117.284184

Glacier Peak and Lake

Location: 45.163306, -117.284149

Hawkins Pass Junction 2

Location: 45.154962, -117.257475

Little Frazier Lake

Location: 45.152415, -117.266135

Little Frazier Lake

Location: 45.149162, -117.270727

Hawkins Pass

Location: 45.145741, -117.267441

Jackson Peak and South Imnaha River From Hawkins Pass

Location: 45.145363, -117.266779

Channel Your Inner Goat

Location: 45.14385, -117.265038

Another Nice Waterfall

Location: 45.135696, -117.270398

Stream Crossing

Location: 45.134218, -117.270972

Rocky Flats

Location: 45.11939, -117.249286

Hawkins Pass Junction

Location: 45.107992, -117.227354

Easy Ford South Imnaha

Location: 45.107791, -117.227147

Lower and Upper South Fork Junction

Location: 45.103042, -117.229309

Thighscraper Avenue

Location: 45.091701, -117.245126

Big Stream

Location: 45.088256, -117.250184

Great View Of Larches In Valley

Location: 45.082504, -117.252711

Two Nice Streams Cross Trail

Location: 45.0689, -117.265514

Nice Waterfall

Location: 45.063956, -117.270417

Junction with Lower South Fork

Location: 45.058009, -117.270647

Don’t Take Sharp Right Here!

Location: 45.058891, -117.273049

Sandy Beach Campsite

Location: 45.058831, -117.273919

Crater Lake Shoreline

Location: 45.05779, -117.27743

Flats

Location: 45.055809, -117.283159

Slide Crossings

Location: 45.056132, -117.292451

Flesh Eating Shrubbery

Location: 45.056044, -117.309146

Overgrown Section Finally Ends

Location: 45.054927, -117.310644

Last Mountain Viewpoint

Location: 45.053472, -117.314132