JOSEPH HIKING FIELD GUIDE
McCully Camp: A Historic Yurt Village Carved into the Eagle Cap Wilderness
An exclusive rental at McCully Basin combines a four‑mile skin and 1,800‑ft approach with cozy yurts, gourmet meals, and diverse backcountry ski terrain—this guide explains what to expect and how the camp is configured.
McCully Camp: A Historic Yurt Village Carved into the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
McCully Basin is a historic ski camp tucked inside the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area where Wallowa Alpine Huts began in 1980. Over 41 seasons it has evolved into a small yurt village offering solitude on glistening slopes, gourmet meals, and a range of terrain from low‑angled gladed meadows to steep black‑diamond chutes.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A compact yurt village with essential comforts
McCully’s guest accommodations consist of two separate sleeping yurts that sleep five each, outfitted with wood stoves, cots and foam pads; the kitchen yurt provides additional cots and a place to gather. Cold Spring is the water source on site.
A spectrum of backcountry skiing in one basin
After a 4‑mile skin into the basin, skiers find everything from gentle, low‑angled gladed meadows to broad, moderate north‑facing alpine bowls ringed by non‑technical summits and punctuated by black‑diamond chutes.
Solitude and a four‑decade history
McCully is where the operator began in 1980; across 41 seasons the camp has attracted seasoned veterans who praise the location’s solitude, fresh tracks and the evolution of backcountry gear and food offerings.
What the day feels like
What the days feel like
Days start with a skin out of the trees: a gentle, steady 4‑mile approach that rises roughly 1,800 feet brings you into McCully Basin and the camp. From base, skiers fan out across meadows and bowls or pick lines through steeper chutes; evenings are spent in the yurts around wood stoves with gourmet meals and the quiet of the wilderness.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this exclusive rental suits—and when it does not.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Accommodations are two sleeping yurts (each sleeps five) outfitted with wood stoves, cots and foam pads; a kitchen yurt has extra cots. Cold Spring is the water source.
The trip begins with a roughly 4‑mile skin in that gains about 1,800 feet; plan for sustained uphill travel into the basin.
The camp is noted for gourmet meals provided on site as part of the experience.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long are the weekend and midweek trips?
Weekend trips are 4 days and 3 nights; midweek trips are 5 days and 4 nights.
Where is the meeting point for departures?
Meet at Blythe Cricket, 700 N Main St, Joseph, OR 97846.
How many people does McCully Camp sleep?
The camp sleeps 10 people in total: two separate sleeping yurts that sleep five each.
What is the approach like to reach McCully Basin?
The approach is a 4‑mile skin that rises about 1,800 feet through thick forest with only two switchbacks; once in the basin, terrain varies from meadows to alpine bowls and chutes.
What amenities are provided at the camp?
Guest yurts are outfitted with wood stoves, cots and foam pads; the kitchen yurt has cots for after‑hours, and Cold Spring supplies water. Meals are described as gourmet.
What are the published prices for exclusive rentals?
Weekend trips are listed at $3,458.15 and midweek trips at $4,610.87 for the exclusive rental that sleeps 10.