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Nick Eaton Ridge & Indian Point: 18 May 2008 (Sunday)

Posted by CherokeeDriver (2008-05-18)

I've been pondering a few hikes recently as the weather has started to improve -- some new to me, some old friends (Hamilton Mountain, Table Mountain, and Munra Point are just a few). Nick Eaton Ridge certainly has been clawing at the recesses of my hiking subconscious since I was forced to turn back around 2,500 feet several weeks ago due to snow. And as I got up on Sunday morning and wondered exactly where I would drive to within the next hour, I recalled that Nick Eaton Ridge is off the Herman Creek Trailhead, and that trailhead (gasp) is next to a campground, and next weekend (double-gasp) is Memorial Day. And I have no plans to drive anywhere near a campground on a three-day weekend. Thus, Nick Eaton Ridge would have to happen today or simply wait.

I've gone up most of the major Columbia River Gorge trails over the past five months, always considering which one might be the "toughest." Different standards apply, depending on one's criteria -- Ruckel Ridge is a scramble, but it's more "fun" than a grind. The Mt. Defiance Trail is a long slog to a 5,000-ft summit, but the trail itself is pretty standard along much of the route. But, for me, the first 1,300 vertical feet of Nick Eaton Way (447) seems like the steepest, most punishing set of switchbacks to be found anywhere in the Gorge -- after a bit, it levels out and become an enjoyable stroll along the crest of the ridge, but those opening stanzas are nothing less than relentless.

Those who have been up Nick Eaton Way know that the initial reward is eminently satisfying, with one of the best 180-degree views to be found anywhere in the Gorge, just above 2,200 feet. From here, one can look up the Columbia River past Bonneville Dam, nearly all the way to the eastern periphery of the Portland metro area. This also is probably one of the few locations where climbers can see the summits of Beacon Rock and Mt. Hood from a single viewpoint (even on a hazy day).

The Herman Creek Trailhead is one of my favorites in the Gorge, simply because it's out of the way of the tourist traffic, and because so many hiking opportunities exist from a single, inauspicious point. A cutoff to the Pacific Crest Trail (2000) is an option, while the standard route climbs up an old logging road to Herman Camp (900 ft), where four trails are there for the taking -- Gorge Trail 400, the Gorton Creek Trail (408), the Herman Creek Trail (406), and Nick Eaton Way. On the ridge itself, three cutoff trails and an upper intersection create a few loop opportunities, along with a few landmarks, among them Deadwood Camp and Indian Point.

After ascending Nick Eaton Way to the ridgeline, Deadwood Camp was my first objective, which I planned to reach with the second cutoff trail to the Gorton Creek route (commonly referred to as the Deadwood Trail, 422). The first cutoff trail (simply called the "Ridge Cutoff," 437) was well signed, near a sign marking the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness boundary, but the second cutoff wasn't only difficult to see, but two signs also had fallen off a nearby tree. A fellow hiker helped me locate them and set them against the base of the tree. Keep your eyes open for these if you go along this route, not far from another Hatfield Wilderness sign (sorry if they are not oriented correctly, but I wanted to keep them together in clear view).

The Deadwood Trail lived up to its name. The upper portion of the route had a fair amount of parched windfall and low, sparse brush along the route, which -- when combined with a few patches of snow, and one four-foot deep snowfield over a scree-fall -- required a fair bit of route finding. (Mt. Adams is on the horizon here.)

Deadwood Camp is not far from the intersection with the Gorton Creek trail, but it does require a crossing of Grays Creek. What's more, it was running along pretty fast (likely because of snow runoff), forcing this hiker to philosophically heave his poles to the opposite bank and do his best with a combination of wet rocks and low branches (I found a slightly better crossing 40 feet lower upon my return, well worth a negligile bit of whacking to reach it).

I had not been to Deadwood Camp before -- it's a very pleasant little clearing on a slope with a firepit and an improvised bench. Since it's so near a rapid stream, it also offers access to a reasonable water source, making it a pretty good option for those on multi-day journeys.

Indian Point was my next goal, about a mile and change on the Gorton Creek Trail, now heading back toward the Columbia River. The route along here is clear and easy to mange, although the spur trail to the point itself (408C) is pretty steep with low-hanging branches. Indian Point itself is a worthy hiking goal, and can be reached much more efficiently than by my longer, looping route today. However, it's up to each hiker's individual comfort level when determining just how far to venture out. Put simply, this is exposed, and poor judgment could conceivably lead to a fall not just of several feet, but something like a half-mile down. The pinnacle itself is perhaps 50 feet high. (Did I set the 12-second timer on my camera and run out there to stand by it for scale? No. No I did not.)

I'm not a huge fan of exposure, so I left behind my pack and sticks and only worked my way out far enough (using both hands and feet) to get an unobstructed view of Wind Mountain and Dog Mountain, across the river to the east.

As I've noted, it's 2,500 feet down from here -- a slip and fall couldn't have any good outcome.

From Indian Point, the Gorton Creek Trail is my preferred route back to Herman Camp and then the parking area at the public campground (a little more than three miles overall). The trail is smooth, open, and not too steep, making things a bit easier on the toes and joints.

And since I wound up putting newer footbeds into an older pair of lightweight hiking boots today -- causing some unexpected hot-spots on my heels -- I was more than happy to get the pressure off the backs of my feet and be on my way to the trailhead and my truck. I pretty much flunked blister-prevention class today, and I paid for it on the final climb up from Indian Point.

-Robert Smile

Re: Nick Eaton Ridge & Indian Point: 18 May 2008 (Sunday)

Posted by Jewelle (2008-05-18)

Looks like an awesome day up there. How hot was it? Oh, and for your blisters, there's this product out called moleskin. Works like a dream!!

Re: Nick Eaton Ridge & Indian Point: 18 May 2008 (Sunday)

Posted by VanMarmot (2008-05-19)

Nice pictures. I did the cutoff trail last November just after the first heavy snows and ended-up plowing (no snow shoes - thought it was too early!!?) straight down to the Gorton trail. Not too bad, but the little use trail that's apparent in the summer is much easier.

I'd also add that the times I've been through Deadwood Camp in the summer (I like doing a loop up the ridge to Ridge Camp and than back down the Gorton Trail), the nearby water supply has been pretty low (not as bad a Tea Kettle Spg on the PCT) but low. I'd say its not a source you could absolutely count on later in the year, particularly a dry year.

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