Visit the Standley Guard Station at the high point, in a pristine meadow with a spring emerging from the ground right beside the cabin. The cabin is locked up but appears in fair and usable shape. It is at an intersection of trails, so it serves as a good hub for the far northern reaches of the Wallowa Mountains. There isn't much water on the trail otherwise, so plan accordingly. The route is a gradual climb along the very top of the ridge with good visibility in all directions.
Getting There
Take the Big Canyon Rd. from the highway near Minam. It goes for about 6 miles before a definitive split in the road. Left takes you on a long climb up to Bearwallow Trailhead and the start of this route here. At the aforementioned road split, to the right (or some would call it straight) takes the more rugged road up to Cougar Ridge Trailhead (also in line with Cougar _______ naming practice).
Trail Notes
- 0.0mi. Bearwallow Trailhead
- 3.1 Wilderness boundary
- 4.2 Pass dobbin creek trail
- 5.0 Standley Cabin. Connect with the Cougar ridge trail going NW from the meadow
