The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit 

On the northeastern flanks of the Wallowa Mountains, Clear Lake Ridge's rocky-soiled ridgetops, steep canyon and mile-high lakes provide a spectacular setting and diverse habitats for birds and other wildlife.

This basalt plateau, hosting three shallow lakes amid native grasslands, gives way to Devil's Gulch, a canyon plunging 3,000 feet toward Little Sheep Creek. Views from the plateau include the Seven Devil's range across Hells Canyon into Idaho, and south to the 9,000-ft peaks of the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowas.

Location

East of Joseph, in Oregon's northeast corner 

Size

3,484 acres

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing

Conservancy staff and partners have inventoried populations of threatened Spalding’s catchfly, as well as non-native, invasive plant species. Volunteers help control invasives, such as knapweed and Scotch thistle, and monitor and repair fences and exclosures protecting aspen stands. From July through October, volunteer caretakers live here and monitor preserve activities. 

Things To Do

What to See: Plants

On the plateau, nearly a dozen native bunch grasses and dozens of wildflower species can be seen. Early in the season, balsamroot, camas and lupine put on a spectacular display. Later, goldenrod, gentian, yampah and other species continue to provide color and food for pollinating insects. The preserve is also home to the threatened Spalding's catchfly.

Devil’s Gulch contains excellent examples of rare and threatened riparian plant communities. Prominent species include cottonwood, aspen, water birch, black hawthorne, Wood’s rose, serviceberry and Douglas’ spirea.

What to See: Animals

Large mammals regularly found on the preserve include elk, mule deer, black bear, bobcat, and cougar. Coyotes and short-tailed weasels can also be seen. Devil’s Gulch is a haven for riparian bird species including yellow-breasted chat, mountain quail, cordilleran flycatcher and lazuli buntings. It’s also a good place for observing western tanager, cooper's hawk, canyon wren and more.

The preserve's three shallow lakes, located in depressions in the basalt flow, provide nesting habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Often seen are Wilson's phalaropes and yellow-headed blackbirds. In wet years, eared and horned grebes also nest at Downey Lake.

Plan Your Visit

The hike up Devil's Gulch provides one of the premier birding opportunities in Northeast Oregon. Download a preserve trail map with driving directions.

The best time to visit for wildflower displays is May and June. Beware of western rattlesnakes.

Please observe the following guidelines while hiking:

• Stay on the trail. Don't collect plants, insects or other species or disturb soil, rocks, artifacts or scientific research markers.
• No dogs. Preserves harbor ground-nesting birds and other wildlife that are extremely sensitive to disturbance.
• No bicycles or motorized vehicles. Native plants and research sites are easily trampled.
• No hunting, camping or campfires.
• For groups of 10 or more, please contact us before visiting a preserve (a volunteer naturalist guide may be available).
• Please bring a bag and carry out any trash you find.
• Report to us any problems you observe (e.g., camping, plant removal, hunting, off-road vehicle damage, etc).

Directions

The preserve is accessible from two directions. One entrance is on a paved road and is easier on your car. From Joseph:

• Drive approximately 20 miles east on the Little Sheep Creek Highway (toward Imnaha).
• When you see the Wallowa Whitman National Forest sign on the south (right) side of the highway, pull over at the next tributary and park on the south side of the highway. A fish hatchery is 0.5 mile further, if you miss the preserve entrance.
• Cross the footbridge over the creek near the preserve signs.
• Go through the pole fence and hike up the canyon. 

The second route takes you to the ridge and lakes via a rough and muddy road passable June through October only, depending on weather conditions. From Joseph:

• Take the Little Sheep Creek Highway 0.8 mile past milepost 8.
• Just after the turnoff for the scenic highway to Halfway, turn right on Rail Canyon road and set your odometer to zero.
• At the first junction (4.4 miles), continue straight on the main road (the road to the right has a cattle guard and sign numbered 91076).
• At the second junction (6.8 miles), continue on the main road, which veers 90 degrees to the left. Over the next three miles, you will pass through a cattle guard (7.8 miles) and at least two wire gates (at mileages 9.1 and 9.6). Please leave gates open or closed as you find them.
• After arriving at Downey Lake (on your left – west – at approximately the 10 mile mark), you can continue on the same road up the slope along the preserve ridge line and through U.S. Forest Service land.
• If you continue past two more gates (at mileages 10.8 and 12.5), you will arrive at Clear Lake (13.1 miles) and Mud Lake (13.9 miles).

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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