newbie hoping for trail advice

Trip recommendations, current conditions, and other trail related Q&A
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Paul
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by Paul » June 23rd, 2008, 2:28 pm

casuzy wrote:humm..that's alot of snow!!

I'm going to look into Herman Creek Drainage area and views. (are there any crossings in that area to be wary of this time of year?
If you are looking for views, Herman Creek has none, since it's a canyon/drainage. Fior view, you'd want to hike Gorton Creek to Whatum lake, but the snow will not be clear be next weekend. You can use Casey Creek, Nick Eaton Ridge, or Herman Creek cutoffs to make a nice loop over to Gorton Creek trail. Ridge Camp and Deadwood camps are nice on the Gorton Creek trail, and there are 5-6 sites along the Herman creek trail. Gorton creek trail has some great views as you hike along Nick Eaton Ridge.

From Gorton Creek above Indian Point
Image

From Gorton Creek past Deadwood camp
Image

I wish you could get up above the 4k feet mark. It's real pretty up there in the Gorge. :)
Last edited by Paul on June 23rd, 2008, 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
- Will Rogers

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drm
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by drm » June 23rd, 2008, 3:42 pm

I would also be inclined to suggest doing Eagle Creek as a dayhike. Don't worry about how far to go. Where ever you decide to stop, you will have had great scenery, though it would be good to go as far as Tunnel Falls, 6 miles in.

Then do an overnighter up Herman Creek. If this is your first overnight backpack, you can camp either at Casey Creek Camp or Swamp Creek Camp, a few miles further (which has a lot more space if there are people at Casey). The steepest uphill is right at the beginning. Since you'll be doing these midweek, the crowds shouldn't be quite as bad.

The one warning is to take seriously the posted warnings telling overnighters the safest place to park - they are at both Eagle and Herman Creeks. And do leave any valuables back at your hotel. Don't think that you are protecting yourself by covering or hiding things in the car. We don't want to scare you about these car breakins, but it sure would put a damper on a great trip to come out to a smashed window, even if it is a rental. ;)

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Grannyhiker
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by Grannyhiker » June 23rd, 2008, 4:50 pm

Mattisnotfrench (despite his name, he's been living in France for the past year, and I'm envious!) has a great idea about Opal Creek. http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org ... Flats_Hike It is great as an easy overnight trip, giving you lots of time to putter around and enjoy the magnificent old-growth forest and the pristine water (I tried to stir up sediment and couldn't find any!). It's a unique place that once was the center of considerable controversy when the Forest Service wanted to log it. Fortunately, Opal Creek became the poster child of those wanting to save the remaining old growth forests, and it now is protected. It's not in the Gorge--it's down east of Salem--but it's well worth the drive. The most recent trip report we have in the archives is May 19 http://portlandhikers.com/forums/thread/44551.aspx but it should be melted out--and the water calmed down a bit--by now.

casuzy
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by casuzy » June 23rd, 2008, 7:03 pm

well, I think I'm offically addicted to this site! (and wish my trip to oregon was going to be a month instead of a little over a week)

Opal creek looks great- and beautiful for photography - thanks for pointing me to the report link;), is it popular enough that you'd need to be there at sunrise or more off the beaton track? I'm also wondering with the expected 80 degree weather in the gorge (I think) if really big water can be expected next week as well.

As far as Eaglecreek, we are wondering if it's possible (and okay) to look for a spot to camp beyond 7 1/2 mile camp but before the snowline. I saw that the grade starts to increase after twisting falls - is there no place to set up a tent between 7 1/2 and whereever the snow line happens? I'd love to get to veritgo mile before turning back.

The Herman Trailhead - Gorton Creek - Nick Eaton Ridge area looks pretty exciting (I want to do it all!) I saw the elevation gain was 3800 on the ridge loop hike - I'm guessing this means it might be snow covered at points?

Could you point me in a direction to get maps - I was going to stop at the REI in Portland and get National Geographic print outs...? I might also note, we also will NOT be carrying GPS - are trails generally pretty well marked in the area which opens up from Herman Trailhead?

thank you thank you!

cluain
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by cluain » June 23rd, 2008, 8:17 pm

If you are going to Hood River you must hike Coyote Wall. It's across the river from Hood River, maybe a 15 minute drive. Also there is a great short hike with fantastic views of Mount Hood and the valley,about 2 miles east of Hood River.

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Water
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by Water » June 23rd, 2008, 9:12 pm

I wouldn't worry about what any forecast says really. Coming from the midwest, where you have 500 miles+ of generally flat, stable, predictable (save thunderstorms) land to the west to view what is heading east - the weather seems much more accurate out east. I have found the forecast here in Oregon to be nearly unreliable-many times in the same day I have seen the next day's weather prediction change from "partly cloudy" to "decreasing clouds" to "slight chance of showers" etc, when using noaa.gov which I tend to believe has the most accurate prediction and sensing capacity.

There is not a unified site that I have found which speaks of snow levels, river run-off levels, etc. Calling ranger stations for national forests can give you contact with someone who may know if a creek can be forded at all. This site is extremely valuable in gaging information that is not available in a day-by-day manner from designated authorities (forest service, etc).

I would recommend Coyote wall as it is an open exposed hike (gives a good mimicry of being above timberline (maybe like more magnificent Leigh Gap in PA if you are familiar-but without any rock scrambling)) with lots of great views both directions in the gorge (can see to the flatness of the high country to the east) and of course Mt. Hood - more and more of the mountain appears the higher you climb.

have fun!
Feel Free to Feel Free

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Paul
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by Paul » June 23rd, 2008, 9:51 pm

casuzy wrote: As far as Eaglecreek, we are wondering if it's possible (and okay) to look for a spot to camp beyond 7 1/2 mile camp but before the snowline. I saw that the grade starts to increase after twisting falls - is there no place to set up a tent between 7 1/2 and whereever the snow line happens? I'd love to get to veritgo mile before turning back.
If I remember correctly, there is one camp (two sites) about 8-8.5 miles. It's after you turn east away from the Eagle-Tanner trail 433, right after a creek. I don;t remember any other camps until you get to Whatum.
casuzy wrote: The Herman Trailhead - Gorton Creek - Nick Eaton Ridge area looks pretty exciting (I want to do it all!) I saw the elevation gain was 3800 on the ridge loop hike - I'm guessing this means it might be snow covered at points?
I doubt you'll get much past Ridge camp on Gorton Creek, but a loop over to Herman creek will be doable.
casuzy wrote: Could you point me in a direction to get maps - I was going to stop at the REI in Portland and get National Geographic print outs...? I might also note, we also will NOT be carrying GPS - are trails generally pretty well marked in the area which opens up from Herman Trailhead?

thank you thank you!
I prefer the Green Trails maps myself, but the NG ones are good too. Have fun!


Oh, and here are my galleries for the Herman Creek area if it helps.

http://www.pbase.com/pcoplin/gortoncreek
http://www.pbase.com/pcoplin/herman_creek
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
- Will Rogers

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retired jerry
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by retired jerry » June 24th, 2008, 5:08 pm

Bagby:

Naked people bathing

Some opportunities for private bathing if you're not into public nudity

You're probably more likely to see people in crowds, drinking alcohol and taking drugs but they try to prevent that from happening

Parking area has a reputation for vandalism of your parked car

Beautiful scenery

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baker9903
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by baker9903 » June 24th, 2008, 5:46 pm

I have to put in my two cents for Opal Creek. I'm from Ohio, and I was completely struck silent by the incredible beauty there. I spent many years crawling around Kentucky, Tennesee, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. I had never seen anything like Opal Creek in my entire life. The size of the trees and the water clarity are indescribable. While Eagle Creek is spectacular, there are water falls in the Eastern US. There is nothing like Opal Creek anywhere else and I recommend you go there. I don't think that Opal Creek is as crowded as Eagle Creek, especially on a weekday.

Oh, and for maps go to Nature of the Northwest. Its a map store located in the state building. www.naturenw.org. They have everything. Maps from REI and Joe's are marked up in price, whereas these guys sell maps at forest service prices.

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anna in boots
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Re: newbie hoping for trail advice

Post by anna in boots » June 25th, 2008, 6:19 am

Ditto on Opal Creek. You could schedule your entire trip for that area alone and have a great time. Safe parking, nice people, interesting history, hot springs nearby, Detroit Lake below you. I plan on getting a group together on here to do that one soon. See delicious links.

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org ... Flats_Hike
http://www.opalcreek.org/trails.html
http://members.aol.com/besthikes/jawbone.html
http://www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_e ... opal-creek
http://www.detroitlakeoregon.org/
http://www.breitenbush.com/

anna in boots
Current trip reports at All Thoughts Work™ Outdoors
http://allthoughtsworkoutdoors.wordpress.com/

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