Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR · WA
A steep, fire-scarred climb to a rocky ridge high above the Gorge.
Overview
Map & elevation
Plan your hike
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
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 area
Herman Creek Trailhead“You're approaching Herman Creek Trailhead, where Trail 406 leads into old-growth fir and cedar, mossy creeks, and waterfalls.”
Plays on the road 0.9 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“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
Nick Eaton Trail #447 is a roughly 4.1-mile point-to-point route from Herman Creek Trail #406 to Gorton Creek Trail #408. To reach its start, leave Herman Creek Trailhead on #406 and continue past Herman Camp; this approach is separate from the #447 mileage. Plan about four hours for the #447 itself and arrange your return from the far end before setting out.
The first two miles climb steep switchbacks to the ridge. Rocky tread makes the traverse slow, but a hanging meadow opens wide views of Mount Hood, Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam. The trail then descends to Gorton Creek #408. Expect roughly 3,100 feet of cumulative climbing on this mapped section.
The unmaintained upper trail was badly burned in the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire; tread is faint or obliterated in places, so confident route-finding is essential. Avoid high winds or heavy rain because of tree-fall and landslide hazards. A recreation pass is required at Herman Creek Trailhead, where you'll find restrooms, an information kiosk and a picnic table. Dogs are allowed if kept in sight and under voice control; leashes are recommended.
Wildlife
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.
Keep exploring
ChallengingGorton Creek Trail #4089.1 mi · 12 hr · 0.2 mi awayA steep one-way wilderness route with brushy tread beyond Deadwood.
ChallengingNick Eaton Ridge Loop12.5 mi · 9.5 hr · 0.8 mi awayA full-day climb earns a ridge meadow view.
ModerateHerman Creek to Casey Creek8 mi · 5 hr · 0.8 mi awayA steady climb past waterfalls to a shaded Casey Creek crossing.
ChallengingIndian Point Loop7.6 mi · 6 hr · 0.8 mi awayA hard Gorge loop with Indian Point and Mount Hood views.
ChallengingHerman Creek Trail #40611.2 mi · 9 hr · 0.8 mi awayA full-day climb through old growth to the Pacific Crest Trail.
ChallengingBenson Plateau Loop16.2 mi · 10.5 hr · 0.8 mi awayA long climb earns the high plateau and a Larch Mountain view.
ChallengingHerman Creek to Mud Lake18 mi · 11 hr · 0.8 mi awayWaterfalls, old growth, and a high lake reward a full-day climb.
ChallengingDeadwood Trail #4220.5 mi · 1.3 hr · 1.8 mi awayA faint wilderness link between two longer routes.
Sight · 2.4 mi awayDry Creek FallsA basalt cleft waterfall beside old concrete diversion works.
Campground · 2.8 mi awayWyeth CampgroundPaved bike trail rides start right beside this wooded campground.
Sight · 3.2 mi awaySternwheeler Columbia GorgeSee the river from a replica sternwheeler’s open deck.
Sight · 3.4 mi awayCascade Locks Marine ParkAn island bridge walk that opens onto Gorge and river views.
Food · 3.4 mi awayEast Wind Drive-InSave room for the super-tall soft-serve cone.
Sight · 3.4 mi awayCascade Locks Historical MuseumA lock tender’s house full of Gorge history.
Sight · 3.5 mi awayColumbia Gorge MuseumSee the fishwheel, log truck, and biplane behind Gorge history.
Sight · 3.6 mi awayBridge of the GodsA steel crossing shared by drivers and Pacific Crest Trail hikers.Parkwolf’s Columbia River Gorge ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
