Minam River Backpack - July 4 - 6, 2012

Beautiful weather on tap for the 4th of July weekend, so we loaded up the Beagles and headed out of town to escape the 'war zone' of fireworks blasting endlessly in the neighborhood. We made the big drive over to the Wallowa Mountains in the NE corner of Oregon, always a special trip. Traveled out I-84 to LaGrande, exited the freeway and headed for the little town of Cove and then made our way up a steep, gravel road to the Moss Springs Trailhead. Not exactly a high country hike, but the high country is still snowed in this time of year  - so this was a nice option - an area with very few visitors, dead quiet and beautiful scenery. From the trailhead, we made the downhill hike to Red's Horse Ranch, about eight miles, and set up camp just across the Minam River. 2nd day out we headed NE along the Minam and ended up spinning around after four or five miles of walking and returned to the previous nights camp. The Beagles just got too darn barky, they picked up a really strong scent of deer or elk or bear or something or another. Third day, we hiked back to the trailhead with just a few wild barking moments when a couple of horse pack groups passed by. All in all, a great escape from the working world and a chance to recalibrate the mind.

Great video that Lynne put together:

Moss Springs Trailhead

View just a short distance from the trailhead

Bridge across the Minam River

Squirrels, squirrels everywhere - might get whiplash

Meadow at Red's

Another shot of meadow at Red's

Trail along the Minam River