Horseshoe Lake — Attraction in Enterprise

The most popular hiking area in the Eagle Cap Wilderness is the Lakes Basin Management Area which offers the most spectacular views of the scenic alpine terrain and granite peaks. The basin is home to numerous alpine lakes such as Horseshoe, Unit, Lily, Razz, Lee, Douglas, Crescent, Moccasin, Mirror, Sunshine, Pocket, and Glacier. With all of them known for their beauty, Horseshoe Lake is highly recommended destination.

The hike to Horseshoe Lake starts at the Wallowa Lake Trailhead on the West Fork Wallowa River Trail #1820. The trail begins at the right of the trailhead message board starting at an elevation of 4645 feet and climbs steadily 905 feet for 2.8 miles where you reach the junction to the trail for Ice Lake. At this point you can head up to Ice Lake for another 4.7 miles and 2300 foot gain or just continue on the main West Fork Wallowa River Trail for another 3.3 miles and 490 foot gain until you reach the aptly named Six Mile Meadow at an elevation of 6040 feet. So far you will have hiked 6.1 miles over a very modest gain of 1300 feet. These 6.1 miles cover a rather rough and rocky terrain. Continue on after Six Mile Meadow for another 3.1 miles on trail #1810 with an elevation gain of 1095 feet to catch a glimpse of Horseshoe Lake where you will reach a junction. To the right, trail #1810 (which you have been on) veers to the right where you can bypass Horseshoe and head to Unit or Razz Lake. However, if you want to continue to Horseshoe, veer left (you will be on trail #1821 now) and after about a quarter of a mile of hiking along the right side of the lake you can select the perfect campsite and finally relax and enjoy the views at 7135 feet.

The water is pristine and it is surrounded by majestic granite peaks including a close-up view of the namesake of the area, Eagle Cap. At a junction beside Moccasin Lake, you can turn left across a scenic isthmus between the lakes two parts where you see a sign to Glacier Pass. This will take you to Glacier Lake if you choose. The trail climbs 2.7 miles and gains 1100 feet through Glacier Pass and then down a short distance to Glacier Lake. From Glacier you can continue the loop back to your car at the Wallowa Lake Trailhead, but it is a 12 mile hike which you can break up by either staying at Frazier Lake or Six...

Horseshoe Lake is a nice lake in the Wallowas. It offers excellent swimming and camping. It is a bit of a climb up to the lake but the views are beautiful of the mountains. This is a good base camp for exploring other areas of the...

Such a breathtaking view when you reach Horseshoe lake!!! The lake itself is almost always still and quiet, the water crystal clear!!! (And quite cold!) So worth the 9 mile...