Parking
Use the Wyeth/Gorton Creek Trailhead lot at the far end of Wyeth Campground. Follow the campground signs to the trailhead parking area; the Forest Service reports room for about ten cars. A valid recreation pass is required.
Overview
About Green Point Ridge Loop
Why go
- North Lake, Mt. Defiance and Gorge views on one long circuit
Heads up
- About 5,000 feet of climbing over roughly 15 miles
- A major stream crossing can be difficult in some seasons
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Columbia River Gorge map
Full mapElevation236–4,669 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Columbia River Gorge alerts
- ClosureEagle Creek Fire area closureDo not enter Oneonta Gorge or the specified trail sections because hazards remain following the Eagle Creek Fire.Official details
- CautionAircraft and drone restrictions at developed recreation sitesAircraft and drone landings, drop-offs, and pickups are prohibited at six high-use developed recreation sites to protect visitor safety.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Your drive to Green Point Ridge Loop, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Wyeth Campground and Trails0:00 / 0:26
“You're approaching the turnoff for Wyeth Campground, a small wooded base beside the paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. I'd choose it if you've brought a bike: the ride starts right by camp.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Dots Beneath a Sword Fern
- The Color on Bare Rock
- A Bridge Over Land
- The Slug’s Scraping Teeth
- 217 audio storiesacross Columbia River Gorge’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Bald Eagle, Black Bear, American Pika, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 111 trails, 78 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Green Point Ridge Loop
A full-day ridge loopGreen Point Ridge is a 15-mile loop from Wyeth/Gorton Creek Trailhead, following Wyeth Trail to…
Green Point Ridge is a 15-mile loop from Wyeth/Gorton Creek Trailhead, following Wyeth Trail to North Lake, then using #423 and #418 to loop back to Wyeth. It gains about 5,000 feet, including nearly 3,840 feet in the first four miles. Allow 10 to 12 hours; this is a hard day for experienced hikers, not a quick ridge walk.
North Lake and the ridgeWyeth Trail climbs forested switchbacks, with occasional Gorge openings.
Wyeth Trail climbs forested switchbacks, with occasional Gorge openings. Past the high junction, continue through brushy upper basin to North Lake. North Lake Trail #423 links the lake to Green Point Ridge Trail #418; the mostly wooded ridge has a steeper climb and a short east spur above the lake. From the spur, frame North Lake below Mt. Defiance. Farther south, the ridge opens toward Mt. Hood and Rainy Lake. Follow #418 to Wyeth Trail and retrace the shared approach.
Access and tradeoffsStart at the far end of Wyeth Campground, where the lot holds about ten cars; a recreation pass…
Start at the far end of Wyeth Campground, where the lot holds about ten cars; a recreation pass is required. The Forest Service says the trail is usually accessible from May. A major stream crossing comes soon after the trailhead and can be difficult seasonally. Near North Lake, brush and flagging or cairns make footing and navigation less straightforward. Wilderness rules apply; dogs must stay within sight and voice control, and be leashed in developed areas.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Columbia River Gorge
267 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
136 sightingsAmerican PikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
16 sightingsWapitiMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
195 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
74 sightingsChinook SalmonMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
