McCully is one of the classic ski basins in the region because of its proximity to Joseph and Ski Fergi and relatively safe approach. However, it is a long moderate slog into the basin so it is a bit of a reach for a one day tour. Thanks to the Wallowa Alpine Huts, there is a yurt for a comfortable multi-day stay. This will give you time to fully enjoy the nice mix of big terrain and small-but-fun undulations.
The basin has a lot of trees but several nice meadows. Once you climb above the basin you're in the alpine with an interesting collection of terrain options. As you climb up you're treated with some great views into Idaho to the east and the Zumwalt to the north. Be on the lookout for wildlife such a wolverines, cougars, and mountain goats. This part of the Wallowas can be very windy, so use caution with terrain choices exercise concern for visibility during storms.
From the trailhead, the skinning starts down a road that is gated before joining the singletrack at the old trailhead. It is a pretty straightforward trail that has a wide birth and plenty of blazes on trees. You follow the summer trail all the way and the yurts aren't too far off the trail on the west side as you are just getting to the basin. This will probably take about 3 hours depending on snow conditions and the weight of your pack and tow sled. You'll be able to ski it out on the way back (no skins!), so that will be more like a 45 minute return trip. The descent and nice and gentle so you don't gain too much speed as you cruise down the skin track.
Access
Park in the Ski Fergi parking area if the road hasn't been plowed all the way up to the trailhead. This adds 1.5 miles of road skinning to the trip, so hopefully you can make it up to the trailhead parking area or part of the way, but there aren't many pull-outs and you would be blocking plows if storms hit.
