This is a trail that can be made short or long as you like and offers great views of Wallowa Lake within the first mile.

Take the West Fork trail at the Wallowa lake Trailhead and continue to the Chief Joseph Trail junction about 1/4 mile ahead. Go left upriver to the bridge and after a short distance the trail switchbacks to the north where you’ll find views of the lake. At a little over a half-mile you’ll encounter BC Falls, which used to have a bridge (until it was washed out). Depending on the water flow this may or may not be where your journey ends. If not, the trail continues on for another 6.5 miles to a meadow in a saddle at the base of Chief Joseph Mountain at 7620’.

Be on the lookout for Pica, Mountain Goats, Mule Deer and the occasional Elk. Rubber Boa's and Western Toads are often found on the lower trail as well.

This is an extraordinary spot with possibilities to explore or summit. Wildflowers abound in mid-June and the alpine setting will have you feeling like you should be singing in a musical. The views are awesome making it very hard to leave.

Download a home-printable pdf map of this area

• Trailhead Trailhead
• Sign Sign
• Trail Trail
• Footing Footing
• Intersection Intersection
• Sign Sign
• BC Falls Trail BC Falls Trail
• CJ Main River Trail CJ Main River Trail
• Bridge Bridge
• West Fork West Fork
• Trail Trail
• River View River View
• Flora Flora
• Rock Rock
• Lake View Lake View
• Mountain Views Mountain Views
• Trail Trail
• BC Creek BC Creek
• Mountain Views Mountain Views
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