Thorp Creek Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

No recent USFS maps show the Thorp Creek Trail, but it appears on the 1990 Chief Joseph Mountain 1:24,000 USGS topographic map.

The Thorp Creek Trail is a now abandoned trail that leaves the Hurricane Creek Trail #1807 and takes you to a high mountain meadow surrounded by some of the Wallowas' highest peaks. It is the easiest route, especially if done as an overnight, to the summits of Chief Joseph Mountain, the Hurwal Divide, and Sacajawea Peak. Even if you are not interested in scrambling up these peaks, the expansive meadows at the head of Thorp Creek make an excellent destination for an overnight (or longer) backpack. In the otherwise busy Eagle Cap Wilderness, here your solitude is likely to be assured.

Although abandoned, the trail is occasionally maintained by volunteers and is not difficult to follow once you cross Hurricane Creek and the grassy meadow on the east side of the creek. Follow the Hurricane Creek Trail #1807 for just under 2 miles, turn left (east) and cross the creek either on logs (preferred if the creek is running high) or, in the water is low in late season, by wading. Once across, head southeast, cross Twin Creek, and look for the well-defined use trail as it starts up the slope about 0.5 miles from the crossing.

The trail climbs steeply for about 0.5 miles, then its gradient eases as it starts into the Thorp Creek Valley. Be prepared for an amazing view of the north ridge of Sacajawea Peak from this section of the trail. At about 2.5 miles from the crossing, you'll enter the large meadow surrounding Thorp Creek. The spring-fed creek is a good source of water and campsites abound in the meadow.

The meadow is a great place as a backpacking destination or for scrambles to the summit of Sacajawea Peak or the Hurwal Divide. You can also reach Chief Joseph Mountain from here, but be prepared for a long, waterless day.

During the summer, the meadow is swarming with a variety of rodents, so store your food in an appropriate animal-proof container.