What is it?
Indian Point is a thumb shaped rock spire that can be spotted from I-84. The view from this rocky outcrop is something to behold, providing one of the most expansive views found in the Gorge. Hikers can combine portions of the Gorton Creek and Nick Eaton trails to create an 8 mile 2600 foot elevation gain hike that visits Indian point along the way.
Why Visit?
By itself, the Gorton Creek Trail is not a particularly scenic stroll. It is however well graded; gaining only some 2400 feet over the 4 miles it takes to reach Indian Point. The final 200 feet of elevation are gained on the Ridge Cutoff Trail. The highlights of this hike start when hikers take an unmarked side trail out to Indian Point, and continue all the way down the Nick Eaton Trail.
The short but steep scramble trail down to Indian Point is safe enough, but the final 50 feet out to the point itself are not advised. The path is narrow, the rocks are loose, and the drop off on either side is 1000 feet. Luckily, hikers don't have to risk life and limb to get exquisite views. A nice clearing just out of the trees and before the harrowing final feet provides a panoramic vista that includes Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and the eastern Gorge.
The descent down The Nick Eaton Trail may be steep, but it also provides hikers with a mixed bag of Gorge delights. The path visits open meadows with views of Herman Creek Canyon, the top of Mt. Hood, and the western Gorge all the way back to Portland. The trail also visits some attractive woods, including a grove of giant Doug fir and western hemlocks.
Get there:
Take I-84 east to Cascade Locks exit 44 and drive 2 miles through town. Go straight towards the Oxbow Fish Hatchery and follow this road for 1.8 miles to the Herman Creek Campground on the right. Continue up through the campground, staying right at all junctions to the parking loop at the trailhead.
The trail starts in a nice forest of big leaf maple and Doug fir before crossing an access road underneath a set of power lines. Continue on to the 0.6 mile mark and fork left to stay on the Herman Creek Trail. The path soon becomes a dirt road. Follow this road straight uphill (not down to the right) for 0.7 miles to the primitive Herman Camp. Bear slightly left onto the signed Gorton Creek Trail. Continue 2.6 miles to the junction with the Ridge Cutoff Trail on the right. From this junction, continue 50 more feet on the Gorton Creek Trail to an unsigned boot path on the left leading down to Indian Point. Again, exercise extreme caution near the end of this scramble.
Once back up on the main trail, backtrack 50 feet and make a left onto the Ridge Cutoff Trail. This trail ends a short 0.6 mile later at the Nick Eaton Trail. Make a right here and follow it down 2 miles to where the trail ends at Herman Camp. Continue down the dirt road back to the parking lot.
Further reading:
Curious Gorge by Scott Cook
Afoot & Afield Portland/Vancouver: A comprehensive hiking guide by Douglas Lorain
For more of Adam's writing, reviews, and photography, visit AdamSawyer.com
Comments
I wonder how many people go all the way out to the point itself.
This looks like a good one for a trail run.
Looks like a great hike.
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