Other Services
Drop Camps ~ Area Lodging ~ Trip Planning Resources
If you're ready to lighten your load and let a llama lug your gear into camp, then a drop camp is the perfect solution. We use a selection of campsites for our services that offer a variety of locations, scenery, and elevations. The average distance into camp is 4-7 miles as the packer and llamas must pack in gear and return to the ranch the same day. Our drop camps were featured in the May 3rd Oregonian Travel section, in 2006. Information and prices for these sites are listed below.
Please note: To promote resource protection and a quality camping experience we do not offer drop camp services into the heavily used Lakes Basin area of the Eagle Cap Wilderness. This includes but is not limited to Ice, Minam, Maxwell, Horseshoe, Mirror, Moccasin, Glacier, Frazier, Douglas and Crescent Lakes.
Campsites ~ Prices & Reservation Information ~ Packing Information
Bear Creek
A four-mile hike from Bear Creek Trailhead, seven miles from the town of Wallowa, this area is less used and easily accessed. It offers a stream side camp from which to fish, or you may enjoy three different trails that allow plenty of opportunities to explore the area in depth. This is an excellent choice for groups with young children or less ambitious hikers as well as those that like to fish or visit some lesser used areas of the wilderness.
Campsite elevation: 4400' ~ Elevation gain from trailhead: 400'
Bonney Lakes
Bonney Lakes are located about 41/2 miles from the Tenderfoot Trailhead on the northeast side of the Wilderness. This is a lovely sub alpine area with open meadows, long ridges and high peaks all around. The lakes are shallow and there are no fish, making this a lesser used area and perfect for those seeking more solitude and less trout.
Campsite elevation:Approximately 7800'
Elevation gain from trailhead: Approximately 1100'.
Brownie Basin
About 4 1/2 miles up Bowman Trail from the Bowman Trailhead in the Lostine Canyon south of the town of Lostine are several small camping areas located along Bowman Creek. The fishing is excellent at several nearby lakes. A great family camping area.
Campsite elevation: 7000'. ~ Elevation gain from trailhead: 1600'.
Notes: Hike to campsite is all uphill on well-graded trail.
Upper Hurricane
Creek
An eight mile hike from Hurricane Creek Trailhead, just past a pair of old miner's cabins there is a long meadow with several camp sites that are within day-hiking distance from the popular Lakes Basin. Small brook trout abound in the meandering head waters of Hurricane Creek and small springs bubble out along the meadow's edges.
Campsite elevation: 7100' ~ Elevation gain from trailhead: 2100'.
Other campsites accessible from the north side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness (excluding the Lakes Basin) may be possible. Contact our office if you have another area in mind and would like more information on prices and availability.
Round trip (drop off and pick up): $500 for packer and two llamas (up to 130 lbs.) ~ $100 for each additional llama (up to 65 lbs.. each)
One-way (drop off only): $250 for packer and two llamas, $50 for each additional llama
Maximum 4 llamas (260 lbs.) per party.
Drop Camp Reservations ~ Early reservations are recommended to assure you the area and dates of your choice. A $250 deposit, payable by check, is required to confirm your reservation with the balance due -cash or check- on the day of departure. Cancellations more than one month before departure receive a refund less $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations less than one month prior to departure forfeit the deposit. We regret we are unable to accept credit card payments for drop camp services.
Insurance requires that all party members sign a release form. We will send forms for each member of your party. Please have them filled out and signed for collection upon arrival at trailhead or mail to our office prior to your arrival.
Customarily, trips depart trailhead at 8:00 a.m. on the day of departure (rain or shine). You may choose to drop off your gear at our house the day before the trip. Let us know your preference at the time of your booking and we'll do our best to accommodate your schedule.
Contact our office for more details on available dates and destinations.
Drop Camp Packing Information ~ You should plan to carry your lunch, drinking water, and any items that you may need during the hike in (raincoats, cameras, etc.) in your daypack. Gear that is packed on the llamas will be inaccessible until we reach the campsite.
Each llama will carry 65 pounds of your gear. It will be packed in coated cordura bags. The average dimensions of the pack bags are 20 in. wide, 12 in. deep and 18 in. high.Each llama carries two bags, and there is additional space for your tent sleeping pads, and possibly other lightweight, bulky items on top of these bags as long as the total of your gear on each llama is within the 65 pound limit. Small, compact parcels load best in the llamas' pack bags. You should organize your gear in small (20 inch or less in length), lightweight stuff sacks or sports bags. Food can be packed in plastic bags, soft-sided coolers (30 quart or smaller), or plastic buckets. No large duffel bags or frame backpacks, please.
All campsites are located next to a stream or other water source, so you do not have to pack extra water in to your camp. You should plan on bringing a water filter (First Need and Pur are brands of excellent, inexpensive backpack-style filters) to use for drinking water.
While pack bags are constructed of coated cordura and can be covered with water resistant tarps, we do not guarantee that your gear will stay absolutely dry on a stormy day. We recommend that you line your sleeping bag stuff sack with a plastic bag to protect it during loading and unloading in inclement weather.
Depending on the hiking speed of your group your packer may or may not hike with you. Be sure to have a good topographic map of the area (see resources information below) so that you can find your campsite AND your gear!
Most trailheads also require a Trail Park Permit (fees vary), available from the US Forest Service or at a variety of retail outlets. There are party size and campfire restrictions in some areas. For more information on wilderness regulations and how best to plan your trip please see the resources information below.
Enterprise
~ Wilderness Inn (541) 426-4535
~ Ponderosa Motel (541) 426-3186
~ Best Western Rama Inn (541) 426-2000
Joseph
~ Chandlers' Inn (541) 432-9765
~ Indian Lodge Motel (541) 432-2651 / toll free (888) 286-5484
~ Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast (541) 432-6219 / toll free (866) 520-9769)
Wallowa Lake
~ Collett's Cabins (541) 432-2391 / toll free (866) 432-2391
~ Wallowa Lake Lodge (541) 432-4082
~ Eagle Cap Chalets (541) 432-4704
USFS-Wallowa Mountain Visitor's Center ~ 88401 Hwy. 82 ~ Enterprise, OR 97828 (541) 426-5546
Joseph, Oregon Visitor Information
Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
Complete backpacking, camping, tack, and sporting goods can be found at The Sports Corral, 401 N. Main in Joseph, Oregon. Owners Larry and Shirley Cook can be reached at 541-432-4363.
A selection of hiking guides and maps for the Eagle Cap Wilderness is available from The Bookloft ~ Enterprise, Oregon 541.426.3351 or visit their web site. Support an independent bookseller!
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Hurricane Creek Llama Treks, Inc.
