Everything You Need to Know About Ice Lake and Matterhorn Summit

Ice Lake is an alpine lake in The Wallowa Mountain range. The Wallowas are without a doubt one of the most amazing places in Oregon. The area is one of the 7 wonders of Oregon, and rightfully so. There are very few day hiking options in the Wallowas without hiking 12-20 mile days so most people backpack here. It’s definitely a backpacker’s paradise if you want to be able to enjoy the alpine lakes and various mountain peaks. Hopefully this guide helps you feel prepared to hike to Ice Lake.

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Thing to Know

• Always practice leave-no-trace. In the backcountry this means staying on trail and finding pre-existing campsites to reduce your footprint. Always pack out your trash and dispose of human waste properly.

• This area has a vast wildlife population that includes wolves, cougars, bobcats and black bears. Know what to do if you encounter one and carry bear spray. Store your food properly in a bear canister or hanging from a tree 15′ up from a branch and always give wildlife plenty of space. Never feed animals.

• This trail is extremely popular for pack animals. You will most likely see horses and llamas on trail. Pack animals always have the right of way because they can spook easily. Slowly move to the side to let them pass and don’t make noises or quick movements that could startle them.

• You will need a wilderness permit, which can be filled out at the trailhead for free and a Northwest Forest Pass for your car at the trailhead. The parking lot fills up quickly, which could leave you walking a ways down the road and hiking to the trailhead. Getting there early will help you find a closer parking spot.

• Both the trail to Ice Lake and the summit of Matterhorn are steep. Some people will attempt to do them both in one day, but it’s best to allow time for multiple days. Hiking to Ice Lake alone is an epic backpacking trip, so don’t feel like you have to do both if Matterhorn is too much.

Leave No Trace Principles

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions. 

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in exciting campsites rather than over vegetation.  

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind because they shouldn’t be disposed of on trail. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly burry it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them. 

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plant off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states. 

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use exciting fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing will multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away. 

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum or 100 yard for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road but feel free to safely pull over and take photos if you can.

• Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!

Ice Lake Trailhead Location

The Wallowas are located in the northeast corner of Oregon, right on the border of Washington and Idaho. The trailhead to Ice Lake is located at the end of Wallowa Lake Hwy, just outside of Lostine, Oregon. Parking is located on the side of the road and there is a vaulted toilet at the trailhead. Ice Lake is a popular hiking trail with multiple destinations so it can get crowded. The trailhead is located at the end of the road on the left, but there is parking all down the side of the road.

Best Time of Year to Hike to Ice Lake

The best time to visit the Wallowas is June to October because the trails are snowed in during winter months. June to early July will come with plenty of mosquitos. Since this hike is to a lake, be prepared with plenty of bug spray and mosquito nets if you go during this time. The summit and surrounding area will most likely still have snow, so consider packing microspikes should you need them.

Late July to August should be better for the bugs and less snow on trail, but every year will be different. I hiked it Labor Day weekend and barely noticed the mosquitos and had zero snow on trail.

You can backpack to the lakes through October, but pack plenty of layers for cold nights. Be sure to check the weather for snow storms in the forecast.

How Many Days Does it Take?

There are occasionally day hikers on the trail, but the best option would be to backpack so you can summit Matterhorn and enjoy the lake. Ideally you should give yourself 2-3 days. You will want the first day to hike in and set up camp. The second day you could either relax around camp for the day, summit Matterhorn or pack up and go to the trailhead.

If you do two days, the third day is to pack up, hike back to the trailhead and drive home. I did three days, two nights and it was perfect, but I wouldn’t mind adding an extra day to hand around the lake more. Matterhorn is short, but steep, so it was nice being able to spend the afternoon relaxing in the hammock and not rushing to pack up camp after.

Backpacking to Ice Lake

The trail to Ice Lake starts out instantly gaining elevation through the forest as is winds along the West Fork Willowa River. After 2.5 miles you will reach a fork in the trail where you will remain to the right, heading towards the river. There is a log bridge that takes you over the river and once you cross the river, you will begin a relentless ascent to Ice Lake.

There are long switchbacks and multiple rock fields you walk over. After a while you will reach a waterfall to the left of the trail, which can be difficult ot see, but does have some good viewpoints. You will continue along the trail over some rock fields and reach a small meadow. You can stop and sit along the creek or continue along the trail for the final ascent.

The second major ascent is steeper, but the last push to the lake. Be sure to take a moment and enjoy the amazing view of the canyon. The trail will start to flatten and run along a creek as you near Ice Lake, but make sure you pay attention for the upcoming junction. Once you see Ice Lake you will want to cross the creek to the left. Continuing straight takes you around the lake and to the Matterhorn trailhead.

Heading to the left will take you to where the camping sites are, but don’t be afraid to explore a little to find the perfect spot. Some people walked halfway around the lake where there were very few people. We camped on the high ground of the peninsula and loved our spot, but it was the busier area of the lake. We had a great view of the lake but it still felt quiet.

MATTERHORN SUMMIT

There is no cell service so make sure you check the weather forecast prior to the trip. You are completely exposed at the top so you don’t want to get caught in a summer thunderstorm or even rain on the slippery rock.

From your campsite head back to the stream that exits Ice Lake, but take a left at the junction. The trail will take you along the edge of the Ice Lake to the far side before begin your ascent. Be warned, this trail is extremely steep! There were a few points I felt like I needed to use my hands and bear crawl. There are a few trees along the way you can seek shelter, but it is mostly exposed the entire way.

The last section of the hike will be a bit of a free for all to the top because the trail disappears as you reach the rock face. You’ll have to scurry up the rock face, but it’s easy to follow. Every so often you’ll see some sign of a trail or a cairn, but there are so many paths people take you won’t get lost, just keep working your way uphill.

When you reach the summit you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the Wallowas mountain range and its valleys below. If you’re up for it, you can also work your way over the Sacajawea Peak, the tallest mountain in the Wallowas range. This trail is another 1.9 miles along the ridge line, but it isn’t recommended unless you have experience and proper equipment since it is a class 3 climb over the ridge. I opted not to go for my safety, and is only 12’ higher in elevation. If you are an experienced climber and have a helmet, it would be a fun add on!

At the summit there is a rock pile. If you look under it you will find a journal where you can write in your name and place of origin if you like, but it was pretty full when I did it so I’m not sure if a new one has been brought up.

When you are ready to head down, you will need to go back over the rock surface with no obvious trail. Head back towards where you originally came from or if you see other people coming up, just head in their direction. Just be sure to head towards Ice Lake and keep it in view. There were many times were I wasn’t sure where the trail was but the lake helped guide me back to the viable trail.

Make sure you stop and enjoy the view a few times on the way down too because it’s breathtaking! I didn’t bring my hiking poles with me, but I probably should have to save my knees on the steep downhill and help me maneuver the loose scree.

I would say the hike out is a breeze after the elevation gain, but after the Matterhorn summit and the large ascent, my quads were shaking before I even reached the log bridge! But once you get there, you are on the home stretch and the terrain is more doable.

Gear for Backpacking to Ice Lake

Below is a list of the gear I took with me to Ice Lake. The gear you choose is completely personal to your wants and needs. You can learn more about my gear in my “Backpacking Gear” guide.

• Backpacks
• Hiking poles
• Boots or trail runners
• Wool socks x2
• Camp sandals – chacos/crocs
• Backpacking tent
• Sleeping pads
• Sleeping bags
• Backpacking pillow
• Extra clothes: shorts, pants, sweatshirt, underwear, socks tanks top, bras
• Down jacket
• Freeze dried food
• Jetboil
• Utensils
• Water filter
• Rope
• Large dry bag for food
• Snacks-granola bars, bloks, nuts
• Soap
• Compact towel
• Odorless bags
• Hammock and straps
• First aid kit
• Head lamps
• Toilet paper
• Small shovel
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Toiletry bag-contacts, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, hair tie

To learn more about what I hike with go here to see my must-have gear, trail clothes and more!

Backpacking Responsibly

What does this mean? It means follow the Leave No Trace Principles and limit your impact on the trail.

• Plan ahead and prepare. This means researching the area ahead of time, knowing the weather forecast and packing accordingly. Planning and preparing for a trip is important to keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your trip stress-free.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. This means finding a campsite where you can tell others have camped prior rather than finding a new campsite. Do not put your tent on vegetation or in meadows, because it can cause harm to the plants. Be responsible in choosing a site and limit your footprint in the backcountry. Stay on trail and do not walk through sensitive environments like meadows because it causes damage to the sensitive mountain terrain.

• Leave What You Find. Nature is amazing but belongs in nature. Do not pick wildflowers or bring home rocks or other items you may find. Do not mark on rocks or vandalize nature.

• Dispose of Waste Properly. All garbage should be packed back out with you and disposed of properly at home. Bring a ziplock bag for toilet paper. Use a shovel to dig a cat hole and bury any human waste 6-8 inches underground or pack it out with you if that is not an option. Food items such as peels and nut shells should also be disposed of properly in a bag and taken back off trail with you.

• Respect Wildlife. Do not feed or approach any wildlife. Minimize your noise by not playing music outdoors. Know the wildlife for the area so you are prepared for encounters. Do not leave food or garbage accessible (bear bag hangs are best).

• Minimize Campfire Impacts. Always know the local guidelines for your area before starting a fire. Many locations do seasonal bans depending on the season. Use an existing fire ring whenever possible. If you must create a new ring, clear the ground of all debris and use a location with minimal impact to the vegetation. Make sure your fire is completely out by dousing it in water multiple times and never throw garbage into the fire.

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Be aware of your noise levels and be sure to kindly share the trail. Know proper trail etiquette so everyone can enjoy their time outside in nature. Remember, others may be afraid of dogs or have allergies so keep you dog on leash or safely away from others.

Reminders

• Know what to do if you encounter a predator and carry bear spray. Store your food properly in a bear canister or hanging from a tree 15′ up from a branch and always give wildlife plenty of space. Never feed animals because it causes habituation among other risks to the animal.

• There is no cell service, so download a map prior to going to the trailhead. The trail is very easy to follow, but you don’t wan to miss the junction so having a map is important for safety.

• If you want to summit Matterhorn, always check the weather and be prepared for any weather. Know your limits and be okay turning around for safety. You do not want to get stuck exposed on a summit if a thunderstorm hits and Oregon is known to have them in the summer months.

In Conclusion, I hope this guide helps you with planning your trip to Ice Lake! It is a magical place and feels very secluded compared to some of the other lakes in the Wallowas. If you’re new to backpacking, be sure to check out my “Backpacking for Beginners” guide. I know you will quickly fall in love with the Wallowas, so be sure to check out my “Eagle Cap Wilderness” guide. This is another magical place within the Wallowa Mountains, so try to see them both!

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