On the Trail

The Herman Creek trailhead is one of the best starting points in the Gorge, because it’s less crowded than other trailheads, with many out-and-back and loop options. This 12.5-mile loop tops off at Nick Eaton Ridge and gains and loses 4,600 feet in elevation.

Permits & Pets

This site is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. A Northwest Forest Pass is required and can be purchased here. Dogs must be on leash. Sections of the trail are within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Wilderness restrictions apply.

Trail Notes

• From the Herman Creek trailhead, begin hiking the Herman Creek Trail (Trail 406). At 0.6 mile, keep left on Trail 406 where the Herman Creek Bridge Trail (Trail 406E) forks off to the right. The Herman Creek Trail turns into a shaded, mostly smooth logging road; keep to the main trail, ignoring side trails or overgrown logging roads. Herman Creek can be heard far below.
• In another 0.7 mile, Gorge Trail 400 and Gorton Creek Trail (Trail 408) come in on the left at Herman Camp. Turn left onto the Gorton Creek Trail. It gently climbs in the trees, crossing three seasonal streams.
• In 2.5 miles from Herman Camp, come to the Ridge Cutoff Trail (Trail 437) on the right. A user-created trail to Indian Point is not recommended. It travels a knife-edged ridgeline on loose rock, with very steep drops on both sides. Strong winds here are another hazard.
• From the trail junction, continue on the Gorton Creek Trail another 0.9 mile to a junction with the Deadwood Trail (Trail 422).
• Just beyond it, cross Grays Creek and come to Deadwood Camp, a perfect spot for lunch, sheltered in the trees from the wind, and with a year-round stream.
• Continuing on the Gorton Creek Trail, climb steeply to the 4,300-foot level; snows on this northeast-facing slope are the last to melt.
• In 2.5 miles from the Deadwood Trail junction, come to the junction with the Nick Eaton Trail (Trail 447), and a nice view. Ridge Camp is another 0.2 mile farther on the Gorton Creek Trail — which is on the north end of a plateau that features North Lake, Rainy Lake, and a good look at Green Point Mountain.
• To return, from the Gorton Creek and Nick Eaton trail junction, take a right on the Nick Eaton Trail. At this point, you’ve hiked 7.9 miles with 4,357 feet of gain.
• Walking along the crest of Nick Eaton Ridge, come to a hanging meadow with stunning views of Bonneville Dam, Beacon Rock, and Mount Hood.
• From the meadow, the trail starts losing elevation fast: From the Gorton Creek Trail junction, it drops 3,200 feet in 4 miles to the junction with the Herman Creek Trail. There, turn right and follow the Herman Creek Trail 1.5 more downhill miles back to the start.
• Please always stay on the trail and clean your boots before and after you hike. Hikers are a common vector for spreading invasive seeds.
• Restrooms are at the trailhead.

Post-Hike Explorations

Find brewpubs and restaurants by retracing the drive from the trailhead into Cascade Locks. Ice cream, beer, pizza, salmon chowder, and other hearty fare await along WaNaPa Street. On the riverfront is a brewpub and cafe at the Port of Cascade Locks Visitor Center at Marine Park.

Other Hikes from This Trailhead

• Benson Plateau Loop
• Herman Creek to Casey Creek
• Herman Creek to Mud Lake
• Indian Point Loop