Cornucopia Trailhead – Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon – Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all.

Cornucopia Trailhead – Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon

Jul 21, 2026

July 21, 2026

Cornucopia Trailhead is a little used area in Eastern Oregon located near Halfway, Oregon in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. This trailhead is on private property of the Cornucopia Lodge and provides access to the Eagle Cap Wilderness. They graciously provide a small parking area for recreational users to access the trails via an easement on their property. Please be respectful of the land. The lodge caretakers are extremely kind and happy to chat about the trails and surrounding land.

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Parking: Small gravel lot. Be aware of old mining equipment – the parking and lodge sit on the tailings pile from the old mines.

Possible Destinations:
(mileage is one way unless stated)

Pine Lakes 6.9 miles
East Fork Falls 2.7 miles

Facilities: None.

Permits: Self-issued wilderness permit.

Water Sources: Nearby creek has mercury settled on the bottom of it. I was told by the it’s safe for stock to drink off of the top since the mecury attaches to heavy trace minerals and settles to the bottom but I would not even filter for human use.

Backcountry Sites: Likely – used by packers. If you would like to share backcountry camping information please email adventure.equines@gmail.com

Cell Service: None.

Fuel: Maverick – 1520 Campbell St, Baker City, OR 97814

Directions: From Baker City Oregon/I-84: Take Exit 302 and head East on Oregon Highway 86 toward Hells Canyon/Richland Oregon for approximately 50 miles.

Bear left onto Highway 12 at the Welcome to Halfway sign. Continue for approximately 6.9 miles. (You will go through the town of Halfway where the road will become South Main, North Main, and then the Halfway/Cornucopia Highway 413.)

Once you have passed what is called Carson (just a small sign along the road) you will come to a fork in the road; take the dirt road to the left which is still the Halfway/Cornucopia Highway 413 for approximately 5 miles until you reach Cornucopia. This road is narrow with pull outs.

Once at Cornucopia you will need to take a right to go toward the Cornucopia Lodge. (look for the lodge sign at the rail fence) Once you have made this right there will be signs on trees provided by the Cornucopia Lodge on where you can park to access the trails in the area.

Road Conditions: Gravel with edge but wide enough for trailer with occasional pull outs. Road sign at entrance to road says steep, cliffy not recommended for trailers but I found it to be passable.

GPS Coordinates: 45.01163, -117.19401

Additional Notes: I spoke with the lodge caretaker for a bit. She is absolutely loveley and I would recommend anyone to stay here. She told me the trails are quite trails are quite trecherous here and even one of the experienced old timer packers had stock go over the ledge and he was forced to physically hold on to his horse to prevent him from going completely over the ledge. The hillside is devoid of trees due to the years of mining. The entire property sits on the old mine tailings, quartz and other minerals may be found in the trailhead parking area. There are two resident bears. They recommend only the most steady mountain goat type steeds are brought to ride these trails. If you’re set on seeing this area but your horse isn’t up for it – you can ride one of the pack stations experienced mules into the wilderness with a guide.

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