Join Wallowa Mountain Institute for full-day and half-day naturalist-led hikes and excursions in spectacular Wallowa County. Nestled amongst the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa Mountains, world famous Hells Canyon, and the birding/wildflower paradise of the Zumwalt Prairie, Wallowa County’s landscapes are as diverse and interesting as the people who live here. Local naturalists provide expert knowledge about the County’s natural history, as well as the vast and varied human history, beginning with the Nez Perce Indians and leading up to modern day ranchers. Residents get a chance to learn more about this beautiful region we call home, and visitors will enhance their vacation experience!

Full-day trips:

Riverside Hikes: The Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest are a hiker’s paradise! Hike with your naturalist guide along mountain streams teaming with trout and other native fish. Learn about the many tree and shrub species that cling to the valley floor and mountain sides as you ascend the gentle trails. Keep an eye out for songbirds, deer, fox, elk, even mountain goats. Hikes range from five to 12 miles roundtrip, depending on group and destination. Lunch included.

Photo Tour: Join our local photographer/naturalist for a day of photographing Wallowa County’s amazing landscapes. Whether you are new to photography, are transitioning from film to digital, or are a seasoned photo veteran, this field trip will expose you to unforgettable images. Learn photographic techniques including composition, lighting, filter use, and more. Lunch included.

Buckhorn Lookout, Hat Point, or Hells Canyon Overlook: Each of these destinations provides spectacular views of the Hells Canyon portion of the Snake River, as well as the vast network of canyons that feed into it. Your naturalist will share stories of human habitation in the region, beginning with the Nez Perce Indians and leading up to modern day ranchers. Wildflowers abound on the canyon rim. You may see elk, deer, raptors, bighorn sheep, coyote, and other charismatic animals en route. Lunch included.

Half-day trips:

Birding: Long-time birders and novices alike are welcome to join us for an early morning search for our feathered friends. Hawks, and falcons dominate the Prairie, passerines (song birds) are abundant in the forests and streamsides, and waterfowl grace area lakes and ponds. Bald and golden eagles soar overhead. Birding in Wallowa County is an exciting way to explore the myriad landscapes here. Your naturalist guide knows where the activity is, and will take you there!

Zumwalt Prairie Wildflowers: Have you ever dreamed of seeing a prairie landscape much as it appeared hundreds of years ago? Zumwalt Prairie is the largest intact bunchgrass prairie remaining in the U.S. and is home to scores of wildflower species. Spring and early summer blooms are magnificent and continue into the middle of summer. Several hawk species nest here, feasting on the abundant ground squirrel population. Join our naturalist guide for this very special experience.

Geology From the Mountaintops: Catastrophic floods on a magnitude never experienced in human history; the largest volcanic flow the earth has ever witnessed; exotic land forms that arrived from thousands of miles away: it all happened here in Wallowa County! Ride the famous Wallowa Lake Tram to the top of Mt. Howard (8200’), soak in the incredible vistas, and learn more about the region’s amazing geologic history with our top-notch geologist. Price of tram included.

Visit a Working Ranch: Ranching is a vital part of Wallowa County’s culture and economy, with a vibrant past and a hopeful future. Learn about modern day ranching from a colorful local cowboy/rancher. Discover how practices have evolved over the generations, and how many ranchers steward their land with an eye toward the future. Lucky guests may also get to meet working cow dogs and to watch them in action!

“I wanted to see this area so badly – and it was better than I imagined!  Hearing a description of the Nez Perce history was perfect.” TNC participant.