Search for Wallowa Lake Legends in a Clear Bottom Kayak

There certainly is a lot to consider while paddling around the lake and curiously peering into the water through JoPaddle’s clear bottomed kayaks.

Ponder local legends about the various animals said to inhabit the bottom of Wallowa Lake while cruising around in a clear bottom kayak rented from JoPaddle, the folks who offer lake visitors the “Glacier Clear Adventure.” Clear kayaks allow users to see through the boat into the water.  Choose from rentals or the guided Night Tour Adventure.

Rent clear kayaks from JoPaddle on Oregon's Wallowa Lake

JO Paddle was established in 2018. New owners Hannah and Joshua Shoffner  took over the business last August and they are looking to add clear Stand Up Paddle boards to their inventory of SUPs this June.

No matter how you decide to explore the lake, while you are out there, keep an eye out for clues of Wally, a big serpent with a flat face, who supposedly lives at the bottom of the lake. He, she, or they even inspired a song by SufjanStevens. 

The Legend of the Wallow Lake Sea Monster made a big splash in 1885 when the Wallowa County Chieftain newspaper ran a story about a prospector who was paddling north across the lake to Joseph one evening when he was astonished by a huge animal to the right of his boat. The beast stuck its head and very long neck out of the water about 10 feet, paused, then quickly dove back into the lake. It appeared a second time on the other side of the prospector’s boat, and gave a low bellow, which the man said sounded something like a cow. He said it looked to be about 100 feet long.

Several Say They Saw the Wallowa Lake Serpent

Since then, several other people have reported glimpses of the creature, which is sometimes called Big Wally. Two locals saw it in 1932. Irene Wiggins, who lived along the lake said she spotted it many times between 1945 and 1983. She described its head as "a big, black thing, like a hog's head", and estimated the creature weighed hundreds of pounds.

In 1950, three people saw two monsters feeding on fish, the first being 16 feet long and the second eight feet long.

The Bryants saw Wally twice in 1978. The first time they glimpsed three humps that briefly broke the surface of the water.  Several months later they watched a twenty-foot-long serpent circle a portion of the lake for several minutes.

Bert Repplinger and Joe Babic said they saw a 32-foot creature with a three-foot-long head and neck rise above the surface of the lake in 1981. "I know it wasn't a 32-foot log and I know it wasn't a boat," Bert Repplinger said.

It is commonly alleged that the story of the lake monster originated with Nez Perce families who camped around Wallowa Lake. In fact people say the tribe has several tales about the beast in the lake. The one repeated most often involves a young couple, she was Nez Perce and he was Blackfeet. Their relationship was controversial since the two tribes were often at war. But the two fell in love and took a canoe out for a romantic glide on the lake one evening. The monster rose up and crashed down on the canoe and presumably killed them since they were never seen again.  It is said the Natives have been skittish about going on the lake ever since, preferring to do their fishing from shore.

However, local historians like Grace Bartlett, who collected stories that the local Natives shared with early settlers, did not believe that the lake monster tale is truly of tribal origin.

Nez Perce Legend of Other Animals Living in the Lake

There is, however, an authentic legend about animals living in the lake, that Mrs. Bartlett learned from A. W. Nelson who recounted it in his book, Those Who Came First, published in 1932. According to Mrs. Bartlett:

“What Indians do claim about Wallowa Lake is that a multitude of buffalo, blue and white elk, deer without horns, and many strange animals to them unknown, lived in the depths of that beautiful body of water. By creeping up to the lake over the high lateral moraine, especially of a morning, you could see great droves of queer animals grazing on the shore. With the slightest noise, the herd would stampede for the lake in an eerie mixture of whinnies bellows, and baas. In their quick dive to the unknown depths, the animals would churn the lake surface into froth, but soon all would be quiet and serene once more.” From the Wallowas by Grace Bartlett.

"Glass bottom" kayaks and Wallowa Lake tours at JoPaddle in Joseph, OR

Certain things are not allowed in the clear crafts, such as dogs and fishing. There are also weight and age limits, etc., so check the JoPaddle website for details. Reservations are being taken now for the 2021 season. Call them at 541-886-0086 for more information. They are on FB https://www.facebook.com/JOPaddle/ and Instagram, Jo Paddle (@joseph_oregon-paddle.