North Lake via Wyeth Trail

This 12.5-mile out-and-back leaves Wyeth Campground, climbs more than 4,200 feet through the upper Lindsey Creek basin, reaches a small lake beneath Green Point Ridge, then retraces the same trail. It’s a full day with a steep, sustained climb. Forest Service Trail #411 continues past the lake toward Mt. Defiance; this route turns onto the short #411A lakeshore spur and comes back the same way.

From the campground lot, follow the signed wide path to #411, pass the power-line corridor and cross Harphan Creek. A long run of switchbacks gains the ridge; even where the tread is smooth, the grade stays steep, and poison oak lines much of the trail. Near the Green Point Ridge junction, around 3,900 feet, stay left on #411. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire opened views across the Columbia River Gorge toward Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. Past the ridge, the route trades open slopes for fir forest, huckleberry and thick thimbleberry as it contours into Lindsey Creek’s upper basin. Cross two creek outlets, then follow the marked line through brush to the right-hand #411A turn and the lake’s small earth-and-rock dam. The open slopes are the best place to frame the river between trees.