As much as I’ve heard about the beauty of the Eagle Cap Wilderness over the years, I had never hiked there.

On a three-day visit to Joseph, Oregon, we started our hiking in the Wilderness by taking the Chief Joseph Trail to BC Falls.

It was a relatively short outing, but provided a nice taste of the area south of Wallowa Lake.

Almost as interesting as the hike were the large mule deer bucks wandering around the Wallowa Lake State Park, bumming food from visitors.

We stayed at the very nice Bronze Antler B&B in Joseph.

Trophy-sized Mule Deer Buck

Looking down a few switchbacks to a footbridge on the trail

My Favorite Model on the footbridge

BC Falls

Golden-mantle

Views of the Eagle Cap Mountains from the trail

Looking for a handout at the Wallowa Lake State Park

Trail going through an old burn