Indian Point Loop via Gorton Creek Trail #408(edit)

based on 42 tracks & routes | |

DIFFICULT

#64 hike out of 65 in Mount Hood National Forest |

DIFFICULT

8.7 mi

Distance

3 hrs 53 min

Time

2,795 ft

Elev Gain

Overview

This is a difficult lollypop loop trail with the Herman Creek Trail as the "stem" and the loop formed by the Nick Eaton, Gorton Creek and Deadwood trails. There is significant elevation gain, although the trails are not particularly steep.

From the Herman Creek Trailhead follow Herman Creek Trail to the junction with Gorton Creek to hike clockwise or continue to the Nick Eaton trail to hike counterclockwise.

Detour to Indian Point from the Gorton Creek trail. The route to Indian Point is steep and there are sheer dropoffs on both sides of the saddle. Use Gaia to find the turnoff.

A detour up peak 3152 is an option from the Nick Eaton trail with views to the east.

There is still a decent camp spot with water at Deadwood Camp amidst the burned forest. The forest understory has rebounded since the 2017 Eagle Creek fire.

For a shorter loop, use the Ridge Cutoff trail as a connector rather than the Deadwood trail.

Getting Started

The Herman Creek Trailhead is at the end of Herman Creek Campground Road, off the I-84 frontage road between I-84 exits #44 and #47. There is a privy at the trailhead and limited parking, which can fill on summer weekends. The campground closed after the 2017 Eagle Creek fire and has not reopened as of summer 2023.

Taking Children

Tough for children due to the elevation gain and steep dropoffs at Indian Point.

Sights to See

Rate this Hike

★★★★★

Jana 4 years, 3 months ago

Hiked on 8/8/20. Trailhead still closed. Started from Wyeth street. Gravel forest road. Then Off to the right, is a path that will get you to the trail. From car to split of loop is about 1.5miles or so. Clocked about 11 (23,000 steps anyway lol) miles RT. Did a lot of “lookouts”. I did the little peak and also climbed to the top of Indian point. Just be careful. Went right at the split. Took me 3.5hrs to get to “top”, including the 3100 peak. Could t get through the deadman part of loop. Trail is overgrown. But way overgrown there. Pretty views. The route back down was way less steep. Or more gradual anyway. Ran back to car. Took me an hour. Only saw 1 other person.

★ ★ ★

jw 5 years, 3 months ago

Tried to go further up Nick Eaton, but it was extremely overgrown. Recommend sticking to the smaller loop.

★ ★ ★ ★

tomlorence01 6 years, 1 month ago

We did this about a year after the fire at Eagle Creek and had a good look at the damage done as well as how the forest is recovering. The trails showed evidence of maintenance and there was only one small tree on the trail to go over. It was impressive how far up the tree the fire went yet how many of the larger trees survived.

★ ★ ★ ★