Bike the Elkhorn Crest Trail
High in the Blue Mountains is the Anthony Lakes National Recreation Area. Good alpine riding is hard to find, but if you're willing to make the 1,300-foot climb, then you've just found it. Take a 7-mile ride on the the Elkhorn Crest Trail in the Baker Ranger District. The trail offers alpine riding among jagged peaks and translucent mountain lakes, plus awesome views as you near Angel Peak.

Drive to Hell and Back
Hells Canyon, that is. The 270-mile Wallowa-Hells Canyon Loop' will usher you on paved roads through desert, lush farmland, rugged canyons, and thickly forested mountains. Take highways 203, 82, and 86 through the towns of Enterprise, Joseph, La Grande, Union, and Baker City. Spend some time touring a forge at Valley Bronze in Joseph, or relax at Wallowa Lake. The route makes several crossings of the Wallowa Grande Ronde River as it winds through commercial croplands, dairy farms, and a scenic canyon. The road climbs mountains, dips into canyons, and swirls around ridges. You'll see the forest from a variety of vantage points. With plenty of camping opportunities along the way, this drive makes for a beautiful two-day trip.

Hike the Eagle Cap Wilderness
As is the case in many national forests, the really good stuff in terms of scenery in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is beyond the range of most day hikers. For the long-distance hiker, however, the Eagle Cap Wilderness is a land of alpine lakes and meadows, steep glaciated valleys, splendid vistas, and granite peaks. Eagle Cap is the Oregon's largest wilderness, laced with more than 500 miles of interconnecting trails. Because more than three-quarters of visitors go to the Lakes Basin, and Aneroid Lake and Glacier Lake areas, that means this busy wilderness holds plenty of lonesome trails. Try the trail to Traverse Lake for a good two-day backpack. Ford creeks and walk through meadows and open slopes where wildflowers abound. There's an excellent view of Echo lake along the way. Once you get to Traverse lake, you can set up camp, cool off with a swim, and fish for brook trout. You might even catch your dinner.

Paddle the Minam River
The Minam River is a spectacular wilderness run through a deep, forested canyon. The area is rugged and filled with wildlife; deer sightings are common, and the fishing is good. Pine trees line the banks of this Class III river. The area is remote, and it's difficult to get to the put-ins - - the only trail access you'll find is between Minam Lodge and the Minam River Recreation Area. From the put-in, you're on your own for 22 miles (pssst, the camping is excellent in this stretch of the river). The highlight of the trip is the 8 miles of continuous Class III rapids. Besides sighting the occasional hiker, you'll see few signs of civilization along the way. The take-out is above the confluence with the Wallowa River, on the left-hand side.
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Ski the Eagle Cap
Eagle Cap Wilderness is a prime area for Nordic skiing in remote but accessible mountains. Expect a lot of uphill, for which you'll probably need skins. From December to May, you can ski 6 miles up the Lasting River and stay at the Lasting Guard Station. For about $35 a night, you'll be provided with cooking utensils, wood, propane, and anything else you might need. Food and sleeping bags are strictly BYO. This National Forest-owned Station sleeps six comfortably. From the cabin, there's access to a relatively level 1-mile road, which creates a perfect ski trail for novices. More advanced skiers may venture up into the great unknown. Call Wallowa Mountains visitor center, at (541)-426-5546 to reserve a spot.

Spot Wildlife
In this National Forest you may see a great variety of wildlife, including more big-game species - - more than 350 - - than any other forest in Oregon and Washington. Just some of the animals you might see: mule deer, Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goat, cougar, bob cat, hoary marmot, Pacific Rattle snake, rubber boa snake, pileated woodpecker, golden eagle, and bald eagle. For the best opportunities to see elk, deer, and mountain goats, time your visits for early morning and early evening.