Wallowa tramway to open next weekend

The tram opens May 20-21, closes during the week, then reopens for 4 days during Memorial day holiday. This would be prime time to take advantage of the lift to access the high country and go skiing in a beautiful area. I hear there is plenty of snow left and it would offer better weather if the end of May turns cloudy/rainy on the west side....Here are some details www.wallowalaketramway.com/ The tram (actually a gondola) was open in winter for a while, but they had to close it due to lack of interest. :'(

I've never rode the tram, but I've heard it's nice. Do they let you take your gear up there (i.e. skis or snowboard) and then head out into the backcountry?

Yes, in the past they have allowed skiers to use the tram for turns. Some (most?) people ride up and go down the east side to the little Ferguson Ridge ski area. (This is by no means "lift skiing" and should be approached as such). This also requires a car shuttle or you can yo-yo the slope....Also, you could gain access to the Mt. Howard/ East Peak/ Aneroid divide. (this is what interests me!!) I have gone out in the summer this way and it's beautiful. McCully Basin to one side and Aneroid Cr. basin to the other....I think having a wilderness permit in either case would be prudent and possibly required (it is in summer). This, and reviewing a map to gain some knowledge of the area. The West side of the ridge, down to Aneroid Cr. is steep, terminating in cliffs in spots (cascade style!) Again, this is not "lift skiing" as some might think (This is not directed at you stoudema)....I have an e-mail out to the operators to make sure the policy has not changed. I will post the reply when I get it.

Just got back an e-mail. The policy has NOT changed and people can bring ski gear on the tram. Just be sure to get a wilderness permit in Enterprise, on your way to the base, if you plan on leaving the summit area....I hope that some people choose to head over there if the weather turns.  It would be cool to show the operators that skiers/snowboarders are interested, as this is a unique situation (at least in Norh America). I had talked to the manager last time I was there and he said he would like to operate for snow riders, but there just isn't enough interest...It is a long way from anywhere...Here are some pics.

Thanks for providing the information Toby.  Not sure if I'll be able to get over there before the snow melts, but it's on the agenda to do soon (next year hopefully).  It is a long ways from the southern Willamette Valley.  I definitely agree with you regarding the issue that this is not lift skiing.  Although I've never spent time in the Caps in the winter, I've spent numerous weeks in the wilderness in the summer (mostly in the Lostine, Minam, and Imnaha drainages).  In many areas you can see scarring on trees or actual avy paths where the trees have been removed.  Once I even found a large debris/snow pile at the bottom of a large moraine in September around 7000 feet off of the Minam River (the remnants of a very large slide).  Those pictures you posted are classic Eagle Cap country - thanks for sharing.  Maybe I'll see you out there sometime............

Matt   

Any update on conditions? I have noticed a lot more snow still in the Wallowas than here on the other side of Hells Canyon. Any opportunities off the road that comes up from Halfway? Thanks