Revision as of 17:25, 28 July 2018

Indian Point, just off the Gorton Creek Trail (RSDW)

• Start point: Herman Creek Trailhead
• End point: Gorton Creek-Nick Eaton Trail Junction
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 13.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 4680 feet
• High point: 4,095 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Seasons: Late spring into fall
• Family Friendly: No
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: No

Hike Description

The popular Herman Creek Trailhead, once also the site of a campground, avails the hiker of a number of opportunities to explore deep into the recesses of the Columbia River Gorge. This hike is one of the more challenging day hike options, with a significant elevation gain over 13 1/2 miles. The loop uses the Herman Creek Trail #406 to reach the Gorton Creek Trail #408; that trail takes you up to the popular destination of Indian Point (See the Indian Point Loop Hike). Hiking farther up the Gorton Creek Trail, you're unlikely to see another soul. Since the lower reaches of the trail were affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, the upper reaches of the Gorton Creek Trail bring the greatest rewards as you hike out of the fire zone, enter lush thickets, cross talus slopes squeaking with pikas, and get views to Mount Adams. The return via the Nick Eaton Trail #447 takes you through zones completely incinerated by the fire, but at least the steep 2,000 foot descent to the Herman Creek Trail from off the ridge is mostly under an unscorched canopy. Bear in mind that trail maintenance in 2018 only went as far as the Deadwood Trail junctions on the Gorton Creek and Nick Eaton Trails. Above the Deadwood Trail, there may be a few spots where the trail is indistinct, but as more hikers use the trails the route may reestablish itself more clearly. Expect some downed trees and brushy spots in these sections.

The trail drops from the trailhead, but then switchbacks up twice before traversing. There are two more switchbacks in shady big-leaf maple, hemlock, Douglas-fir woods. The trail reaches the powerline corridor and crosses it, heading up to the right to reenter the woods. Here, you'll begin to see the effects of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, with the understory burned away but slowly recovering and the conifer canopy mostly intact. The path winds through an area of large, moss-covered boulders, and then passes an old forest track leading off the left (This tracks drops down to Herman Creek Road). Pass around the nose of a ridge, switchback twice, and traverse up to the junction with the Herman Bridge Trail #406E 0.6 miles from the trailhead. Keep up on the main trail to switchback and then reach a bend in an old forest road. Stay right and head up the road, which levels in Douglas-fir, hemlock, and maple forest. You'll arrive at a five-way junction after 1.2 miles where the Herman Creek Trail reaches Herman Camp.

For the Gorton Creek Trail, go left and take the second trail on the right (The first trail leads a short distance to Herman Camp.

For those who prefer gentler climbing, the Gorton Creek Trail is the logical first leg of the loop, with a relatively gradual incline, a few switchbacks, three seasonal-stream crossings, and a fair bit of freeway noise, with only a hint of views of the Columbia River through the trees.

At mile 3.8 (2.6 miles from Herman Camp), two trails intersect with the main route. The lower option is the Indian Point Trail (#408C), a short, steep spur to Indian Point. If you or your companions have been complaining about the lack of views so far, head down and get an up-close look at one of the most stunning rock formations in the Columbia River Gorge (and please exercise due caution when you arrive. There's not much need to walk all the way out on the scree-strewn ridge itself, where a slip-and-fall could have no good outcome).

The upper trail at the intersection is the Ridge Cutoff Trail (#437). Take this option to make the shortest loop (the Indian Point Loop Hike), climbing to the crest of the ridge and an intersection with Nick Eaton Way at 2,900 feet.

Or, if you'd prefer to add a bit more distance, continue along the Gorton Creek Trail for another 0.8 mile to mile 4.5, where the next cutoff, the Deadwood Trail (#422), also climbs to meet Nick Eaton Way at nearly 3,000 feet. But you've come this far, so you might as well at least cross Grays Creek (which can run swift with spring snow runoff or nearly dry in late summer) to find Deadwood Camp, a perfect spot for lunch (and also an ideally sheltered winter campsite). Double-back across the creek again if the Deadwood Trail is your cutoff option.

If you continue along the Gorton Creek Trail from Deadwood Camp, expect a steep climb to mile 7.2 (4,000 feet). This trail is on a northeast slope where the snow is the last to melt off in the late spring. There are steep slopes you have to traverse which are difficult when icy, and towards the end, it's difficult to find where the trail goes. At mile 7.2 you will find the Nick Eaton Trail junction and nice views. You've skipped two cutoff trails to Nick Eaton Way and found the high end of it now. Ridge Camp is another 0.2 miles further, on the north end of a plateau that features North Lake, Rainy Lake and a good look at Green Point Mountain. If you have plans to stay overnight, you should have a good idea where you are already. Otherwise, take a right on Nick Eaton Way to start your return, and watch for a good viewpoint west of the Gorge within a half-mile or so.

Nick Eaton Way can be taken all the way back to Herman Camp, but there's one more cutoff trail to consider. The Casey Creek Trail (#476) switchbacks down from 4,000 feet to 1,500 feet to join the Herman Creek Trail along the drainage, where you eventually will walk across the base of Nick Eaton Falls. Or simply continue along the crest of Nick Eaton Ridge until you reach a hanging meadow with stunning views of Bonneville Dam, Beacon Rock, and even the summit of Mount Hood (one of the best, least-crowded viewpoints in the Gorge). From this point, Nick Eaton Way starts losing elevation in a hurry. Get ready for a rapid, occasionally jarring descent. Once you get back to Herman Camp, your car won't seem that far off, although you still have more than a mile and 800 vertical feet to go.

There are plenty of options here. Want just one more? Do this entire hike in the opposite direction from Herman Camp. Your toes and knees will be happier to walk down the Gorton Creek Trail, although you should be warned that the initial 1,300 vertical feet of Nick Eaton Way offers some of the steepest, most relentless switchbacking to be found anywhere in the Gorge.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Northwest Forest Pass required

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Nick Eaton

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Nick Eaton

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
• 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland, by Paul Gerald
• Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
• 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
• 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan

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