Matterhorn/Sacajawea Traverse Date: July 24-26, 2015 Leader: Chris Salaz, 503-871-0288 cell, salaz82@yahoo.com Climb Leader Sponsor: Mike Rudy ,503-428-1133, michaelrnclimber@yahoo.com Assistants: Route: Wallowa Lake trail to Ice Lake Matterhorn Elevation: 9826’ Sacajawea Elevation: 9838’ Elevation Gain: ~ 5200’ Distance: ~ 17 miles round trip The Matterhorn and Sacajawea peak are the two highest points in the Wallowa Mountains. The majority of the Wallowas are located within the Eagle Cap wilderness of Oregon. One of the largest wilderness areas in the state. Know for their rugged yet scenic beauty, we will enjoy views of alpine wild flowers, glacial lakes and tarns, vast peaks, and deep canyons of the region. Route Description Day One: From the Wallowa Lake Trailhead 4500’ we venture out onto the West Fork Wallowa River Trail 1820. We proceed 2.5 miles gaining elevation until we reach the trail junction with the Ice Lake Trail 1808. On the Ice Lake Trail we gain significant elevation and traversing many switchbacks reaching our camp for the evening at Ice Lake 7849 at 6.6 miles. Day Two: From our camp at the south east side of Ice Lake we will make our way to the north end where we find the climbers trail. We follow the climbers trail and cairns up the east side of the Matterhorn 9826’. After some photos, snacks, and a quick rest we make our way north on the ridge between the Matterhorn and unnamed peak 9775’. From the unnamed peak we proceed north again following the ridge to Sacajawea peak 9838’. This is the intimidating part of the climb! We will be doing some class 3 scrambling over and around the gendarmes on the ridge. (See links provided below.) Once past the gendarmes it is smooth sailing to the summit of Sacajawea peak. Photos, snacks, and rest to be had before the journey back to camp. Our return back to camp retraces our steps back across the ridge with the gendarmes to the unnamed peak. We take a slightly different decent following a separate climber path/ goat trail down the ridge and slopes back to Ice Lake. Round trip for the day is roughly 5 miles with approximately 2000’ gained and lost. Day Three: Return to the Wallowa Lake Trail head via our route of approach from day one. Meet at Mutiny Brewery in Joseph for Lunch and Summit Certificates. Make our way home from there. Driving Information Link to Googlemaps directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Salem+Motor+Pool,+1100+Airport+Road+Southeast,+Salem,+OR+9 7301/Wallowa+Lake+Trailhead,+Power+House+Road,+Joseph,+OR+97846/@45.1503779,122.4660743,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x54bfff33a0ad007f:0xc6585fa9200e1837!2 m2!1d-123.002663!2d44.922545!1m5!1m1!1s0x54a40f188c034efb:0xba9aea8513d7f324!2m2!1d117.212888!2d45.266985 From Salem: North on I-5 to I-84 East Exit 104 East on I-84 to OR-82 Exit 261 OR-82 to Power House Road. Suggested mileage reimbursement for carpoolers is $69.30 (Round Trip 770 miles @ 9 cent/mile) Drivers should work this out with car poolers before hand. Itinerary Friday, July 24, 2015 5:45 AM – Gather at the State Motor Pool (Salem) 6:00 AM – Depart State Motor Pool 8:30 AM – Stop at Biggs Junction, OR for gas and to stretch legs 11:00 AM – Brief stop to stretch legs or restroom break. 1:00 PM – Arrive at Wallowa Lake Trailhead 1:30 PM – Depart Trailhead 3:30 PM – Junction for Ice Lake Trail 6:00 PM – Arrive at Ice Lake Saturday, July 25, 2015 6:45 AM – Wake and Eat Breakfast 7:30 AM – Depart Ice Lake camp for the Matterhorn 9:00 AM – Matterhorn Summit 9:30 AM – Depart for Sacajawea Peak 11:30 AM Arrive at Sacajawea Peak 12: 00 PM – Head back to camp 2:00 PM – Arrive back at Camp Sunday, July 26, 2015 6:45 AM – Wake, Eat Breakfast, and Break down camp. 7:30 AM – Depart from Ice Lake 10:30 AM – Arrive back at trailhead 11:00 AM – Depart Wallowa Lake 11:15 AM - Meet at Mutiny Brewing CO. in Joseph for lunch and summit certificates 12:30 PM – Head back to Salem 4:00 PM – Pit stop at Biggs Junction 6:30 PM – Arrive back at the State Motor Pool Gear Food & Water food & extra food water bottles, 2-32oz. collapsible Water jug (96 – 128oz) Clothing base layer pants(synthetic) base layer top (synthetic) boots gaiters gloves hat, sun hat, warm nylon/polyester shorts (optional) pants, waterproof/breathable pants,fleece parka, waterproof/breathable socks, liner socks, thick wool puffy jacket (down or synthetic) Climbing helmet pack trekking poles (optional) 10 Essentials/Personal Items Topo map & compass first aid kit head lamp sunglasses/sunscreen bug repellant pocket knife fire starter whistle tissue paper GPS (optional) altimeter (optional) bandana camera (optional) cell phone (optional) duct tape lip balm (optional) two large garbage bags Water filter or way to purify Extra batteries Camping Gear (shared with tent mate *) Tent * sleeping bag sleeping pad stove* cooking pot, utensils * fuel (8oz per person/day, 4oz backup) 3 large canisters should be enough* Group Gear 1 rope 50m (emergency use only) Radios (Channel 10 code 5) will be carried by Leaders and assistants, and optional/encouraged for climb members Climb Roster 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Chris Salaz 503-871-0288, salaz82@yahoo.com Permits Parking Permit: Northwest Forest Pass Climbing Permits: Self issued at the trailhead Emergency Contacts Wallowa County Sheriffs Office – 541-426-3131 Eagle Cap Ranger District 88401 Highway 82 Enterprise, OR 97828 (541) 426-4978 Note: I will be carrying a SPOT Rules Drugs/Alcohol/Firearms are not permitted Each member must sign the Chemeketan Release and Liability form Notes Our campsite will be located above the timberline. Water will be available but will need to be boiled or filtered . If anyone has questions related to gear requirements please email or call me. For anyone that is a fisherman Ice Lake is also know for its brook trout. There may be time after our return on day 2 to make a couple casts Useful Links My alltrails.com map: http://alltrails.com/maps/matterhorn-to-sacajawea-traverse Loomis Adventures blog of the same trip: http://loomisadventures.com/blog/climbing-matternhorn-and-sacajawea-peak-wallowa-mountainsoregon http://loomisadventures.com/blog/ice-lake-backpacking-and-fishing-eagle-cap-wilderness-oregon Summit Post links: http://www.summitpost.org/matterhorn-oregon/150682 http://www.summitpost.org/sacajawea-peak/151103 75 Scambles of Oregon: Sacajawea Peak Pg 192-194 Matterhorn Pg 181-184 Weather http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Howard-Oregon http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-117.28244&lat=45.23774#.VR4pG-FMezk
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