Pioneers named Hurricane Creek because they thought the broken trees in this otherwise picturesque valley must be the work of violent windstorms. In fact the valley is not particularly windy, but its sides are so steep that snow avalanches crash down through the forests in winter. In summer the avalanche clearings provide views up the valley to the startling, 3000-foot white marble face of the Matterhorn, second highest peak in the Wallowas.

For a quick sample of the valley’s scenery, take a short walk to Falls Creek Falls, in a side canyon stripped by flash floods. For a longer hike, continue 3 miles up Hurricane Creek to a slot-like gorge with a pair of waterfalls. For an athletic challenge, tackle the steep trail up to Echo Lake’s snowy cirque.

From Interstate 84, take . . .

Other Options

If you wade across the . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes: Eastern Oregon