Norway Basin Backcountry Ski
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#Cornucopia
#Halfway
#Wallowas
#NorwayBasin
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Trail Description

This is the skin route from Cornucopia up to Yurtstar Galactica, or you can snowmobile it too with some advanced riding skills. From there, you'll see huge terrain across the chasm that is the butt crack of the Wallowas (according to Hatchism). Getting to Cornucopia may require a snowmobile ride too for most of the winter. The Norway Hut is maintained for rental and guiding services by Wallowa Alpine Huts.

The route follows a steep road to the east of Cornucopia (past the lodge). Then there is a significant creek crossing before another steep pitch up Simmons Ridge before it mellows out to a more gentle approach to a saddle.

Access

Drive north from Halfway through Carson to where the road ends getting plowed and snowmobile up the road to Cornucopia to find the beginning of the route at the Cornucopia Lodge. Certain times during winter you can drive to the lodge.

Trail data mapped by Brian Sather on Mar 10, 2014 · Last update: Mar 5, 2018

Waypoints

Cornucopia Lodge — Year-around lodging and meals, snowmobile access only in winter.

45.0129, -117.19413

Norway Yurt — Operated by Wallowa Alpine Huts

45.04493, -117.20171

Winter parking for Cornucopia

44.941679, -117.177665

Clear Creek Cabin — Open to public during winter, stocked with wood, 2 stories.

45.07038, -117.16216

Difficult Climb — Can be difficult on climb and descent, especially in the trees down by the creek.

45.07188, -117.17478

Mario Land

45.05747, -117.19403

Grateful Ridge

45.05987, -117.20127

Blue Creek Saddle

45.07096, -117.21045

Behind Enemy Lines

45.05399, -117.18987

Rocky Top

45.05013, -117.19545

East Fork Pine Creek Crossing — Sometimes difficult crossing during high flow.

45.03078, -117.18342

Ridge of Respect

45.03658, -117.19508

Simmons Ridge

45.03916, -117.20392

North Cornucopia

45.02976, -117.23059

The Prow

45.04946, -117.20871

Pit of Dispair

45.04435, -117.21449

Red Light District

45.06107, -117.22706

Middle Cornucopia

45.02393, -117.23177

Photos

Norway BasinMarble Mountain and the Imnaha River to the Northeast
Looking west of Blue Creek SaddleYurtstar: Two-story yurt at Norway Basin by Wallowa Alpine Huts
Picture from top of Fiesta Bowl looking at Norway Peak with Red Mountain in the background. Clipper Gap is the low point to the right of Norway Peak.West side of Grateful Ridge
Looking north at Cusick Mountain from Blue Creek SaddleItch & Scratch with Blue Creek Saddle below and Sugarloaf mountain and Table Top in the distance.