Hurricane Creek

This past weekend, Monica and her husband Barry hiked along Hurricane Creek in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. This is a perfect hike for beginners or someone who can't commit to an overnight trip and the views were phenomenal!  To get to the Hurricane Creek Trailhead from Enterprise you just turn on Hurricane Creek Road off of Main Street and follow it out to the trailhead, about 7.5 miles. If you are in Joseph you can head West on Airport Road for 1.5 miles, turn left on Hurricane Creek Road and follow it out to the trailhead. You have the option to camp near the trailhead or just park and make a day trip out of it. Either way the cost is $5 per day, so don't forget your cash!

Monica and Barry just hiked to Slick Rock which is about 6 miles there and back. After about .5 miles on the trail there is a side trip to the right that leads to a lovely waterfall and it's worth the extra steps! After that you can head back to the trail and move on to Slick Rock. Along the way there are some amazing views of Hurricane Creek, Joseph Mountain, the face of Sacajawea Peak and many waterfalls. At one point you do have to cross Falls Creek- but there is a sturdy log across it right now that even a beginner could use as a bridge. At around 3 miles the trail does three switchbacks and at the top you can see the gorge below and it was so pretty Monica and Barry almost stopped here for lunch but if you go just a little further you arrive at Slick Rock where you can view the gorge below and a waterfall above you and this makes a great lunch spot! You can continue on from there to Echo Lake, climb to the top of Slick Rock Falls, or call it a day and head back.

Afterwards, Barry and Monica went on to Wallowa Lake and rented a boat, road bikes, swam, did some more hiking, and spent 2 nights camping. We are so lucky to have so many activities so close to us here in Union County!