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Indian Point Loop via Gorton Creek Trail #408

based on 214 tracks & routes #1 hike out of 65 in
7.9 mi
Distance
3 hrs 38 min
Time
terrain
2,894 ft
Elev Gain

Overview

The Indian Point loop is a scenic hike featuring a memorable viewpoint. The loop can be hiked in either direction, with the Gorton Creek Trail chosen for the ascent and the steep Nick Eaton Trail for the descent. Although the area was affected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, much of the loop still retains a relatively intact forest canopy, with the undergrowth regenerating. The hike offers diverse wildflower blooms during the spring and summer seasons. Indian Point itself is a basalt spire on a cliff's edge, providing impressive views. The hike is feasible throughout the year except during heavy snowfall.

The loop includes three trails named after early locals: James H. Herman, Edward Gorton, and Nick Eaton. The trail begins with switchbacks and traverses through shaded maple, hemlock, and Douglas-fir woods. As the trail enters the Eagle Creek Fire area, the burned understory can be observed, while the conifer canopy remains mostly intact. The Gorton Creek Trail within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness rises steeply, offering views of the Columbia River through the burned trees. The trail passes through gullies with large Douglas-firs and traverses old-growth areas. At the Gorton Creek-Indian Point-Ridge Cutoff Trail Junction, hikers can take the steep Indian Point Trail to the viewpoint, exercising caution due to the steepness.

Returning to the junction, the Ridge Cutoff Trail descends steeply for a short distance before leveling off for the rest of the way to the Nick Eaton-Ridge Cutoff Trail Junction. From there, the trail follows the west side of a rocky knoll, providing views of flowering plants that have regrown since the fire. Hikers will encounter switchbacks through meadows, offering vistas of Herman Creek's forks and Mount Hood. The trail descends through a shady canopy, passing more switchbacks and massive Douglas-firs. Finally, the hike rejoins the crowds at the Herman Creek-Nick Eaton Trail Junction and returns to the trailhead, passing Herman Camp along the way.

Getting Started

Take I-84 east from Portland to Exit 44 for Cascade Locks and Stevenson.

After exiting, keep driving east along Wa Na Pa Street through Cascade Locks to pass under the freeway and reach a Stop sign.

Keep straight here for the Oxbow Fish Hatchery and Herman Creek, and go 1.7 miles on Frontage Road.

Turn right onto FR Spur 215 for the Herman Creek Campground, and follow the road around past the decommissioned horse camp for 0.4 miles to arrive at the trailhead.

Taking Children

This is a tough hike, only take experienced hiking children.



    Rate this Hike

    user_profile
    5 years, 3 months ago
    Loved this hike. We’re training for Mt.Baker and wanted some elevation gain. This gave us 3,000 feet in relatively short hike. We went counter clockwise as the ground was more dirt and pine needles which made it easier on the knees. The summit to Nick Eaton was no view at all. So many trees everywhere. Overall nice hike but tough for anyone not used to going straight up.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 3 months ago
    Herman Creek Trail #406 to Gorton Creek Trail #408 to Ridge Cutoff Trail #437 to Nick Eaton Trail #447. Took us approx. 5 hrs round trip with breaks and hanging out at the point. Beautiful color/texture contrast with burnt trees and new foliage/wildflowers. Amazing gorge views throughout. Fairly challenging for us novice hikers, but nothing undoable for newbs. Going up on the steep, switchback-y Nick Eaton might save your knees vs going down it.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 4 months ago
    Took us approx 5 hr round trip via the Ridge Cutoff Loop. Beautiful contract of burnt trees and new foliage/wildflowers. Amazing gorge views throughout. Fairly challenging for a couple of novice hikers, going up Nick Eaton to start the loop might save your knees.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    5 years, 6 months ago
    First one on the trail and in the parking lot at 7:05am on 12/24/18. Hiked 8.9 miles counterclockwise from Herman Creek to Gorton Creek to Nick Eaton trail and back to Herman Creek. ( I had a pre recorded map, very helpful to have.) I tried this trail a couple of years ago before I got into shape and I could not finish it, it was brutal and I was, barely move sore for days after. I've been hiking practically every weekend this year and I finally was able to finish this trail!!! I did this trail counterclockwise, starting with Gorton creek was long (when you get close to the top the snow begins and much of the flat trail on Nick Eaton is covered in snow, it was not icy, so no microspikes needed 12/24/18.), with lots of switchbacks and a creek crossing and on the way down on Nick Eaton trail was brutal, my toes were smashed against the tips of my boots with every step, there are steep switchbacks on the tail end for me of this hike. My feet were so sore when I got to the Herman Creek, Pct trail, otherwise I would have gone down to check out the Herman Creek Bridge (next time!). Finished the hike at 1pm and was hiking for around 6hrs. Most of the trail is really steep so be prepared! When I got back to my car there were 4 other cars in the lot. The parking lot holds 10 cars. You must have a NW forrest pass or pay $5 day use fee. There is a pay box here. The campground when I came here is closed. The bathroom is vaulted toilet and was clean when I got there in the am, but on the smelly side when I left in the PM. I saw 6 people on the trail and all were on my descent, so after 11:30am or so. All of this trail above the power line road was affected by the eagle creek fire.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 7 months ago
    Beautiful hike and a new Gorge favorite with good views! Good steady elevation gain, proceeds through a beautiful burn. Go counterclockwise to do the steep on the uphill so the downhill isn't as hard on your knees
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    4 years ago

    user_profile
    4 years, 4 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 2 months ago
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 4 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 4 months ago
    ★ ★

    user_profile
    5 years, 5 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Public Tracks

user_profile
Leigh 5 years, 4 months ago
Indian Point & Ridge Cutoff #437
Herman Creek Trail #406 to Gorton Creek Trail #408 to Ridge Cutoff Trail #437 to Nick Eaton Trail #447. Took us approx. 5 hrs round trip with breaks and hanging out at the point. Beautiful contrast with burnt trees and new foliage/wildflowers. Amazing gorge views throughout. Fairly challenging for us novice hikers, but nothing undoable for newbs. Going up steep switchbacky Nick Eaton might save your knees.
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Jon Ellinger 7 years, 9 months ago
Indian Point
Jan 31, 2016 1:05 pm
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