Tomlike Mountain Hike

Overview

Tomlike Mountain is the high point on Woolly Horn Ridge, a treeless prominence between the East and West Forks of Herman Creek. An unsigned user trail, minimally maintained, leads to the summit from the Herman Creek Trail near the Herman Creek-Anthill Trail Junction. The ridge is one of the largest open areas in the Columbia Gorge and views are expansive. Tomlike has been considered as a possible reintroduction site for mountain goats. The route described below is one of the shorter approaches to Tomlike and includes a loop around Wahtum Lake. For a much longer approach of just over 20 miles round-trip, you can begin the hike at the Herman Creek Trailhead; From the Wahtum Lake Trailhead, drop down Trail #406H (Wahtum Lake Express) and sign in at the Wilderness Permit station. At a junction, keep left: the horse trail is to the right. Enter the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. These are old growth stands of mountain hemlock, noble fir, and silver fir. The trail heads down many steps. Near Wahtum Lake, reach the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. After visiting the lake, head east (right) here above the lake shore. Springs trickle down onto the trail, which rises in lush woods but is well-drained. There are some huge noble firs here. Pass through a Sitka alder clearing and cross a dry stream bed. The trail keeps ascending gently in drier woods with a bear-grass and huckleberry understory. Drop, cross a creek, and rise gently to the Pacific Crest-Herman Creek Trail Junction. Here, go right. The trail rises in woods of noble fir, silver fir and bear-grass. Keep left at the Herman Creek-Rainy Wahtum Trail Junction. Enjoy the avalanche lilies blooming along the trail in mid-summer. Drop gradually to reach the junction with the Anthill Trail and keep on the Herman Creek Trail for another 40 yards. Then turn left into the woods on the unmarked Tomlike Mountain Trail. There may be a small cairn at the latter junction. Head into the woods. The trail is obvious here. At a junction, go right (Left is the long-abando

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