Riding a gondola nearly 4,000 feet straight up a mountain sounds like something out of an adventure movie, but it’s real and waiting for you in eastern Oregon. The Wallowa Lake Tramway takes you from the shores of a glacially carved lake to a rocky summit where three states spread out before your eyes.
In just 15 minutes, you’ll climb higher than most people ever get without serious hiking boots and a heavy backpack.
What makes this ride truly special is what waits at the top. The Summit Grill sits at 8,200 feet, making it the highest restaurant in Oregon.
You can grab lunch while mountain goats wander past and chipmunks beg for crumbs. The tramway operates from late spring through fall, giving visitors a chance to experience alpine terrain without the exhausting climb that normally comes with it.
North America’s Steepest Four-Person Gondola
Climbing into one of these small gondolas feels a bit like stepping into a glass elevator that’s about to take you sideways and up at the same time. The Wallowa Lake Tramway holds the title of North America’s steepest four-person gondola, and you’ll understand why within the first minute of your ride.
The cable stretches at an incredibly steep angle, pulling your enclosed cabin up the face of Mount Howard. Each gondola holds just four people, which means you get your own private viewing box for the entire journey.
No crowding, no jostling for window space, just you and your group watching the world drop away beneath your feet.
The engineering behind this tramway is impressive. The cables and towers were designed to handle extreme weather conditions, from heavy winter snow loads to summer winds that can temporarily halt operations.
Safety systems monitor everything constantly, which is reassuring when you’re dangling thousands of feet above the forest floor.
The ride takes about 15 minutes each way, giving you plenty of time to take photos and watch the landscape transform from lakeside forest to alpine tundra.
A 4,000-Foot Vertical Climb in 15 Minutes
Most people take hours or even days to climb 4,000 vertical feet on foot. You’ll do it in 15 minutes while sitting comfortably in a gondola with windows on all sides.
The tramway at 59919 Wallowa Lake Hwy in Joseph, Oregon, starts near the southern end of Wallowa Lake and climbs to an elevation of 8,200 feet on Mount Howard’s summit.
As you rise, the air temperature drops noticeably. What feels like a warm summer day at the base can turn into jacket weather at the top, even in July.
The change happens gradually enough that you barely notice until you step out at the summit and feel that mountain chill.
Your ears might pop during the ascent, just like they would in an airplane. The altitude change is real and significant.
Some visitors feel a bit lightheaded when they first arrive at the top, especially if they start hiking right away without giving their body a few minutes to adjust.
The smooth, steady climb gives you time to watch the treetops fall away and the views expand in every direction.
Summit Views of Three States
Standing on top of Mount Howard feels like being on top of the world, or at least the top of a very significant chunk of it. On clear days, you can see into Oregon, Washington, and Idaho all at once.
The views stretch for miles in every direction, limited only by the curvature of the earth and whatever weather might be rolling in.
To the east, the jagged peaks of the Seven Devils rise in Idaho. These mountains look appropriately dramatic, with sharp ridges and deep valleys carved by ancient glaciers.
To the north, you can spot ranges in Washington, while all around you, the Wallowa Mountains create a spectacular alpine amphitheater.
Wallowa Lake sparkles far below, looking like a blue jewel set in green velvet. The lake stretches for miles, its glacially carved shape clearly visible from this height.
You can see the entire valley, the town of Joseph in the distance, and the patchwork of forests and meadows that make up this corner of Oregon.
Bring binoculars if you have them, because the details you can spot from up here are incredible.
The Summit Grill: Oregon’s Highest Restaurant
Hunger hits differently at 8,200 feet, and thankfully the Summit Grill is right there when you need it. This restaurant holds the record as the highest dining establishment in Oregon, which makes every meal feel a bit like a celebration.
The menu features typical casual fare like sandwiches, burgers, and soups, but everything tastes better when you’re eating it surrounded by mountain peaks.
The seating area sits outdoors, which means you dine with views that no amount of money could buy at sea level. Tables fill up quickly during peak summer hours, so timing matters if you want to avoid a wait.
The turkey bacon sandwich gets mentioned frequently in reviews, as does the house chowder with focaccia bread.
Staff work hard up here despite the challenges of operating a restaurant where supplies must arrive via gondola. Prices reflect the location, but most visitors find them reasonable given the circumstances.
You can also buy food to feed the chipmunks and ground squirrels that have become remarkably comfortable around humans.
A word of warning: yellowjackets sometimes crash the party during late summer, attracted by food and sweet drinks.
Two Miles of Alpine Hiking Trails
Getting to the top is just the beginning of your adventure. A network of trails totaling about two miles loops around the summit of Mount Howard, taking you to multiple viewpoints that each offer something different.
These aren’t difficult trails by hiking standards, but the altitude makes them feel harder than they would at sea level.
The paths are well-maintained and clearly marked, with signs pointing you toward various overlooks and features. You can complete the full loop in an hour or two, depending on how often you stop to take photos and catch your breath.
The thin air at 8,200 feet means your lungs work harder than usual, so taking your time is smart.
Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer months, painting the alpine meadows with colors that shift as the season progresses. Early summer brings one set of blooms, while late summer showcases completely different species.
The views from the trails constantly change as you walk, revealing new angles on the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Wear good walking shoes and bring water, because dehydration happens faster at high altitude than you might expect.
Operating Season and Weather Considerations
The tramway doesn’t run year-round because winter conditions at this elevation make operations impossible. Generally, the season runs from May through October, though exact dates vary depending on weather and snow conditions.
Spring openings can shift if late snow lingers on the mountain, while fall closures depend on when winter storms start rolling in.
Weather at 8,200 feet can change dramatically and quickly. A sunny, calm morning at the base can turn into a windy, chilly afternoon at the summit.
Temperature differences between the lake level and the mountaintop often exceed 20 degrees, so layering your clothing is essential. Even in August, you might need a jacket up top.
High winds can temporarily shut down operations for safety reasons. The gondolas are designed to handle significant wind, but there are limits.
If you’re planning a visit, checking conditions before making the drive is wise, especially during shoulder seasons when weather is less predictable.
Visibility matters too. Fog or low clouds can obscure the views that make the trip worthwhile.
The best conditions usually occur in the morning before afternoon clouds build up over the peaks.
Ticket Prices and Planning Your Visit
At around 50 dollars per adult, the tramway isn’t cheap, but most visitors conclude the experience justifies the cost. Discounts apply for seniors, military members, and youth, which helps families manage the expense.
Buying tickets online in advance is possible and recommended during peak summer months when crowds can create waits.
Your ticket allows multiple rides in a single day, so you can go up, come back down for lunch in Joseph, and return for an evening ride if you want. The last gondola heads up around 3:30 in the afternoon, with the final descent at 4:45, so plan accordingly if you want time to explore the summit trails.
Parking at the base is plentiful and free, which is a nice bonus given the ticket price. The tramway sits just south of Wallowa Lake State Park, making it easy to combine with other activities in the area.
Many visitors spend a full day at the lake, incorporating the tramway as a half-day adventure.
The whole experience, including ride time and summit exploration, typically takes two to four hours depending on how much hiking you do.
The Wallowa Mountains: Oregon’s Little Alps
The Wallowa Mountains earned their nickname as the Alps of Oregon through sheer dramatic beauty. These peaks rise abruptly from the surrounding plateau, creating a mountain range that feels transported from Switzerland.
Glaciers carved these valleys and peaks over thousands of years, leaving behind the spectacular landscape you see today.
Eagle Cap Wilderness surrounds the tramway area, protecting over 350,000 acres of pristine mountain terrain. Within this wilderness, dozens of alpine lakes reflect the sky, and granite peaks pierce the clouds.
Backpackers spend days exploring trails that wind through this backcountry, but the tramway gives you instant access to similar views without the physical demands.
The geology here tells a story of volcanic activity, glaciation, and uplift spanning millions of years. The rocks beneath your feet at the summit are ancient, and the shapes of the surrounding peaks reveal how ice shaped this landscape during the last ice age.
Wallowa Lake itself occupies a classic glacial valley, with the characteristic U-shape visible from the summit.
This corner of Oregon remains relatively undiscovered compared to destinations in the western part of the state, which means smaller crowds and more authentic experiences.
Combining the Tramway with Other Wallowa Lake Activities
The tramway sits in an area packed with other activities that can fill out a complete vacation. Wallowa Lake itself offers boating, fishing, and swimming during summer months.
The water stays cold year-round thanks to its glacial origins, but that doesn’t stop people from jumping in on hot days.
Wallowa Lake State Park provides camping, picnicking, and access to numerous hiking trails that lead into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Some trails start right from the park and climb into the high country, offering multi-day backpacking opportunities for those who want to go deeper into the mountains.
Day hikes range from easy lakeside walks to challenging climbs that gain serious elevation.
The small town of Joseph sits just a few miles north and has developed a reputation for bronze sculpture and western art. Galleries line the main street, and life-size bronze sculptures dot the sidewalks.
Restaurants in Joseph offer everything from casual burgers to upscale dining, providing good options for meals before or after your tramway adventure.
Mini golf and ice cream await at the Eagle Cap Chalet next to the tramway, perfect for families with kids who need something extra to round out the day.
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