Nick Eaton loop
Posted: February 2nd, 2019, 10:21 pm
This could almost go in the off-trail forum. Borderline.
From Wyeth, I drove 2 miles west on Wyeth Rd until it topped out at 600'. Ditched the car (well, not literally) and headed south until I hit the trail, which I followed west, then the standard route up to Indian Point. Saw no point in visiting IP again, continued east on Gorton Creek Trail, past Deadwood Camp (an especially appropriate name now), and climbed up to the ridgecrest at 3000'.
Trail was gone. okay, it's a ridgecrest, I don't need a trail. Around 3400' I gave up, headed west to find Nick Eaton ridge. Hit it at a great place, right where it levels out and becomes very distinct.
Ascended the Nick Eaton ridgecrest, past the "missing" Casey Creek Trail junction (it might be easier to spot when snow is gone), and up to the end of Nick Eaton, where it rejoins Gorton Creek trail. Continued up Gorton Creek Trail to Plateau Cutoff Trail. Aborted. Wanted to hike the loop trail on the plateau above North Lake, but that would be quite a challenge in the snow, and it was getting late. Nice place to turn back, no reason to feel bad about it.
On the descent, considered following Gorton Creek Trail, but I had lost it on the ascent, so probably foolish to try it again from above. That section where it's off ridgecrest is tough to follow in snow. So instead I continued north on Nick Eaton, retracing my steps to where I had gained the ridge on my ascent, then took a spur ridge westbound, parallel to Camp Creek.
That no-name ridge is fantastic, steep enough to be interesting, but not scary. Sometimes rocky, sometimes broad and covered in duff. Occasionally brushy, but no big deal. Found a glass salt shaker. Why?! This is way off any established route. Why would there be a glass salt shaker here? Came to a step that forced me into a descending traverse, and never really got on crest again. Too bad, it looked fun, but I just couldn't spare the time, had to hustle down on the fastest route. Veered north, joined camp creek, followed it (very briefly) to Herman Creek Trail. Never been here. Nice trail.
Followed Herman Creek Trail north until the junction where I could walk east towards Wyeth. Darkness fell, and finding the right spot to leave trail and bushwhack to my car was tricky, but I pulled it off almost perfectly (part luck, part skill).
Overall, amazing fun day, much harder than expected, worth the effort. Balmy, wore a light long-sleeved tee shirt all day, hat/gloves were essentially for bushwhacking, didn't really need them for warmth. Misty at start, but rose above the clouds at maybe 1600'ish on the way to Indian Point
From Wyeth, I drove 2 miles west on Wyeth Rd until it topped out at 600'. Ditched the car (well, not literally) and headed south until I hit the trail, which I followed west, then the standard route up to Indian Point. Saw no point in visiting IP again, continued east on Gorton Creek Trail, past Deadwood Camp (an especially appropriate name now), and climbed up to the ridgecrest at 3000'.
Trail was gone. okay, it's a ridgecrest, I don't need a trail. Around 3400' I gave up, headed west to find Nick Eaton ridge. Hit it at a great place, right where it levels out and becomes very distinct.
Ascended the Nick Eaton ridgecrest, past the "missing" Casey Creek Trail junction (it might be easier to spot when snow is gone), and up to the end of Nick Eaton, where it rejoins Gorton Creek trail. Continued up Gorton Creek Trail to Plateau Cutoff Trail. Aborted. Wanted to hike the loop trail on the plateau above North Lake, but that would be quite a challenge in the snow, and it was getting late. Nice place to turn back, no reason to feel bad about it.
On the descent, considered following Gorton Creek Trail, but I had lost it on the ascent, so probably foolish to try it again from above. That section where it's off ridgecrest is tough to follow in snow. So instead I continued north on Nick Eaton, retracing my steps to where I had gained the ridge on my ascent, then took a spur ridge westbound, parallel to Camp Creek.
That no-name ridge is fantastic, steep enough to be interesting, but not scary. Sometimes rocky, sometimes broad and covered in duff. Occasionally brushy, but no big deal. Found a glass salt shaker. Why?! This is way off any established route. Why would there be a glass salt shaker here? Came to a step that forced me into a descending traverse, and never really got on crest again. Too bad, it looked fun, but I just couldn't spare the time, had to hustle down on the fastest route. Veered north, joined camp creek, followed it (very briefly) to Herman Creek Trail. Never been here. Nice trail.
Followed Herman Creek Trail north until the junction where I could walk east towards Wyeth. Darkness fell, and finding the right spot to leave trail and bushwhack to my car was tricky, but I pulled it off almost perfectly (part luck, part skill).
Overall, amazing fun day, much harder than expected, worth the effort. Balmy, wore a light long-sleeved tee shirt all day, hat/gloves were essentially for bushwhacking, didn't really need them for warmth. Misty at start, but rose above the clouds at maybe 1600'ish on the way to Indian Point