Difference between revisions of "Indian Point Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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* Start point: [[Herman Creek Trailhead]] | * Start point: [[Herman Creek Trailhead]] | ||
* End point: [[Indian Point]] | * End point: [[Indian Point]] | ||
| − | * Trail Log: [[ | + | * Trail Log: [[Indian Point Loop Hike/Log|Trail Log]] |
* Hike Type: loop | * Hike Type: loop | ||
* Distance: 7.6 miles (round trip) | * Distance: 7.6 miles (round trip) | ||
Revision as of 06:13, 10 February 2007
- Start point: Herman Creek Trailhead
- End point: Indian Point
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: loop
- Distance: 7.6 miles (round trip)
- Elevation Gain: 2800 feet
- Difficulty: difficult
- Seasons: Year round
- Backpackable: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Herman Creek is Eagle Creek's ugly unpopular sister. Herman Creek dumps into the Columbia River a few miles East of Eagle Creek. The Herman Creek Trail, like the Eagle Creek Trail, gradually gains elevation, eventually getting to Whatum Lake, and there is a network of other trails connecting to the main trail. Unlike Eagle Creek (the ugly part) there are few waterfalls and the trails are mostly through forest with few views. Also (the unpopular part) there aren't nearly as many people on the Herman Creek Trail (which is a good thing).
This hike is entirely on your typical Columbia Gorge trails, well graded and well maintained, with several exceptions as mentioned.
This hike is a good winter hike because of the low elevation, but be careful of blow-downs and washouts across the trail.
Start out from the trailhead on the Herman Creek Trail (#406), the only trail going out of the trailhead, at 240'. The topozone map doesn't show this trailhead. It shows the trail starting near the frontage road at the freeway.
The trail starts out a bit steeply. There is a lot of freeway noise.
At mile 0.3 (500') is a junction with the Herman Bridge Trail. It's about 1/2 mile and 200' down to Herman Bridge, not too much happening here. It's another 1/2 mile 500' up to the Pacific Crest Trail.
At about mile 0.5 on the Herman Creek Trail, it starts to level out a bit and from here the freeway noise is much reduced. There's an old logging road that intersects the trail and an unmaintained trail that goes down, but it's easy to stay on the main trail.
At mile 1.2 (1000') the trail reaches Herman Camp and the junction with the Gorge Trail #400 (which goes hard left - North) and the Gorton Creek Trail #408 (which goes left - East). The Herman Creek continues straight (Southeast) on an old logging road. This hike goes onto the Gorton Creek Trail and comes back on the Herman Creek Trail.
There is a nondescript campsite at Herman Camp with enough room for many tents. According to the map there is a spring a little to the Southwest of the junction.
Take the Gorton Creek Trail, which gradually gains elevation, crosses a few small seasonal streams, and has a few switchbacks.
At mile 3.8 (2750') is the junction with the Ridge Cutoff Trail (#437). There are a few views towards the Columbia Gorge.
If you're adventurous (or foolish?) take the short side trip to Indian Point. Go another 100 yards on the Gorton Creek Trail to the unmarked trail going down to the left. Beware that this trail gets dangerous as it goes along with a narrow trail, steep dropoffs on both sides, no railings, and no warning signs. If you fell it would almost certainly be fatal.
The trail is about 1/4 mile. There is a flat open area where you could take a break. You get great views of Indian Point and the gorge.
Don't continue on the trail from here, which becomes extremely dangerous, narrow, with loose rocks, to the base of the point. Don't even think of climbing Indian Point because of the exposure and loose rocks. When you're done go back to the Ridge Cutoff junction. The Herman Creek to Indian Point Hike is a nice hike even if you skip this side trip.
If you're looking for a campsite, Deadwood Camp is 0.8 miles from the Ridge Cutoff junction on the Gorton Creek Trail. This makes a good winter campsite. There's another cutoff trail from there, that's 1/2 mile up to the Nick Eaton, and another 1/2 mile back to the Ridge Cutoff Trail/Nick Eaton Trail junction.
Another longer loop opportunity is to continue on the Gorton Creek Trail, past Deadwood Camp, another 2.6 miles to where it ends at the Nick Eaton Trail (4000'). Then follow the Nick Eaton Trail 2.5 miles down to the Ridge Cutoff Trail. This would be a 12.5 mile 3750' gain loop from the Herman Creek Trailhead. About a mile past Deadwood Camp, you start getting some views North, and reportedly, there are nicer views further up.
Back to the Herman Creek to Indian Point Hike, follow the Ridge Cutoff Trail from the junction with the Gorton Creek Trail, 0.8 mile to the Nick Eaton Trail (3050'). This is at mile 4.6 on the loop.
A short side trip from here is up to Peak 3152.
Another loop possibility from here is up Nick Eaton Trail 1.6 miles to the junction with the Casey Creek Trail #478 (4000'), 2.1 miles down this trail to the Herman Creek Trail, and back 2.3 miles to the Nick Eaton Trail junction. Reportedly, the Casey Creek Trail is especially steep and less well maintained than other trails. This would be a 10.2 mile 3750' gain loop from the Herman Creek Trailhead.
Back to the Herman Creek to Indian Point Hike, from the Ridge Cutoff Trail junction, follow the Nick Eaton Trail down about 1/2 mile to a nice viewpoint. You can see West down the Columbia Gorge and South to some ridges. Continue down the Nick Eaton Trail to the junction with the Herman Creek Trail at mile 6.2 on the loop.
It's 0.2 miles down the Herman Creek Trail to the Herman Camp, and 1.2 miles back to the trailhead for 7.6 miles total.
Maps
- See clickable image to the right
Trip Reports
- Indian Point - Herman headlamp hike! Sept 12
- Indian Point (Columbia Gorge) - Mountain Lion Sighting - 10/2
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Related Discussions / Q&A
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