Wahtum Lake via Herman Creek Hike

Overview

This hike parallels Herman Creek, but mostly provides glimpses of the actual stream from high on the canyon wall until you cross the East Fork of Herman Creek seven and a half miles into the hike. Instead, the main attraction is the series of mossy tributary streams, some with graceful waterfalls, that that the trail crosses. Higher up, there are two mountain lakes, Mud Lake and Wahtum Lake, where you can camp. Large old-growth Douglas-firs and western red-cedars are another feature of this hike. Backpackers or long day hikers may want to combine this route with the Wahtum Lake via Pacific Crest Trail Hike to return to the Herman Creek Trailhead. The area was severely impacted by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, and for the first five and a half miles, until just before Whisky Creek, you'll be experiencing the aftermath of the blaze. There were only a few areas of crown fire along the trail, but most of the ground cover was burned and is now regenerating from its roots. From the Herman Creek Trailhead, the route begins a steady climb through a couple of switchbacks, under a power line, and past the Herman Bridge Trail which provides a continuation of the 400 Trail, dropping down to Herman Creek. This section of the hike is a bit of a grind, with noticeable highway noise, and especially when the trail turns to old roadbed for the next mile or so. You will enter the 2017 Eagle Creek Burn as soon as you cross the powerline, but in this area it was mostly a ground fire with some scorch marks rising up the trees. When you reach the five-way junction with the Gorton Creek and 400 Trails at Herman Camp at 1.0 miles, you'll be entering the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. In the 1970s, Herman Camp was also a drive-in trailhead if you you were willing to risk your vehicle on the narrow road. Three hundred yards past Herman Camp, reach the junction with the Nick Eaton Trail. Shortly thereafter, the road narrows to a pretty forest path at about the 2.0 mile mark, dominated by the sound of Herman Creek far below. You'll also enco

Trail Stats

Photos

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