Major Blowdown on Gorton Creek Trail and Nick Eaton Ridge

AAdamsPDX · Post by **AAdamsPDX** » December 8th, 2015, 6:55 pm

No surprises here given all the other blowdown in the gorge! Just enough to make the Herman Creek-Gorton Creek-Nick Eaton Ridge loop more interesting.

I found the downed trees on the Gorton Creek Trail more challenging because of the topo: harder to climb around because the trail is cut into the slope. I estimate this guy was about 4 feet in diameter:

Heading down the Nick Eaton Ridge Trail was easier: no major blowdown near the top of the ridge as the trees are smaller up there. Near where Nick Eaton joins the Herman Creek Trail, however, is another story. Lots of this (I didn't get a good sense of scale here - these were some pretty big trees):

woodswalker · Post by **woodswalker** » December 17th, 2015, 8:20 am

Thanks for the update! Woodswalker

underbucker · Post by **underbucker** » March 6th, 2016, 6:37 am

PCTA/Mazamas crosscut saw crew cleared multiple logs from Gorton Creek and Nick Eaton Trails on March 5th. Largest was 40" fir blocking Nick Eaton. More remain.

woodswalker · Post by **woodswalker** » March 6th, 2016, 7:43 am

So impressive and very, very much appreciated!!!
Woodswalker

AAdamsPDX · Post by **AAdamsPDX** » March 6th, 2016, 8:59 am

Hooray! Thank you all!!!!

My brother and I hiked up to the Herman Creek Pinnacles yesterday and wondered why there were so many cars in the parking lot. Now we know.

rcPDX · Post by **rcPDX** » May 4th, 2016, 6:35 am

Monday May 2, 2016: a joint USFS and PCTA team removed the biggest log that remained on Nick Eaton Trail, as well as a few others in the area. Photos and video by Terry Hill and video editing with Dennis Stilwell.

: The saw team

Our top cross-cut sawyer, David "Underbucker" had scouted this 52" diameter log and the next one. The smaller log was a bit trickier in that it had a lot of side bind as well as possibly loose root wad. Underbucker is the best saw sharpener in these parts, and he sharpened a cool 7 foot saw. The saw is an antique, etched with CCC and a camp code that referenced to the Washington side of the Gorge. It worked like a champ.

And here's some fun quick videos of the day. Getting that big root off the trail was very satisfying.
PCTA - USFS Trail Crew 01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-5GjfFa3K8
PCTA - USFS Trail Crew 02: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17OH7c2LPKM
PCTA - USFS Trail Crew 03: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-jW6iyy814
PCTA - USFS Trail Crew 04: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnm1WqOucLY
PCTA - USFS Trail Crew 05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BfZbzE ... ture=share

woodswalker · Post by **woodswalker** » May 4th, 2016, 7:27 am

Thanks so much you all! I recently hiked up there and was greatly appreciateing the work that had already been done.
Woodswalker

Rather B Hiking · Post by **Rather B Hiking** » May 4th, 2016, 1:51 pm

Thanks, all. Those were monsters up there!

Oregon Hikers