4.9 hr
Overview
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. James H. Herman was an early settler near Cascade Locks. A man named Edward Gorton had a homestead claim near the mouth of Gorton Creek in the 1890s. Nick Eaton was a farmer who lived between Cascade Locks and Wyeth at the beginning of the 20th century. 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
Trail Stats
0.0 km
1469 m
1248 m
0 m
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Photos
500px-GortonCreekNickEatonMap
500px-GortonCreekNickEatonMap
250px-Trail_sign%2C_Nick_Eaton_Way
250px-Trail_sign%2C_Nick_Eaton_Way
250px-View_to_the_two_forks_of_Herman_Creek_and_top_of_Mt
250px-View_to_the_two_forks_of_Herman_Creek_and_top_of_Mt
250px-View_to_Mt
250px-View_to_Mt
250px-Hall%27s_isopyrum_%28Enemion_hallii%29_and_crab_spider%2C_Gorton_Creek_Trail
250px-Hall%27s_isopyrum_%28Enemion_hallii%29_and_crab_spider%2C_Gorton_Creek_Trail
250px-IndianPoint02_RSDW
250px-IndianPoint02_RSDW
250px-Wind_Mt
250px-Wind_Mt
250px-Blackened_trunks%2C_Gorton_Creek_Trail
250px-Blackened_trunks%2C_Gorton_Creek_Trail
400px-View_to_Mt
400px-View_to_Mt