Chief Joseph Peak is a mile high climb from Wallowa Lake that puts you atop the signature mountain towering above Joseph, Oregon. It is not that technical but is physically challenging. The approach to the summit along the east ridge takes you by an old mine and over a variety of different colored rocks.
This route shown here follows a summer climbers' trail from the marina at Wallowa Lake State Park. You follow this climbers' trail as it zigzags steeply and directly up the mountain. It crosses the official Chief Joseph Trail a couple times and then joins it as it starts to bench out. From there, you look for the far left avalanche chute and go off trail to get to that and climb up that chute. Upon gaining the ridge, you can pick up a climbing/goat trail that stays on the ridge all the way to the summit. This is also a good route for backcountry skiing to the summit. The ski mountaineer route may involve some boot packing up the summer trail to start, since snow doesn't always stick down near the lake. Since it follows an avalanche chute as shown here, caution is urged. There isn't much of an option to the left or right of the chute so it is a committing route that should only happen when conditions are stable enough for your risk tolerance.
Parking is free but the lot is closed at night at the marina. There are other overnight parking spots nearby.
