Wyeth Trail #411

Wyeth Trail #411 is a 7.3-mile point-to-point hike from Wyeth/Gorton Creek Trailhead to Mount Defiance South Trailhead. It gains about 4,000 feet and reaches roughly 4,100 feet, so allow a full day; my typical estimate is 7–9 hours with stops. The first mile climbs through Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple, then the trail enters Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and heads into the Eagle Creek Fire scar. With the canopy opened, the trail earns wide views across the Columbia Gorge toward Washington, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams.

Expect sustained climbing on an old road bed and long switchbacks. The route crosses a small scree slope and creek and spring areas, with brush and poison oak beside parts of the tread. Past Green Point Ridge, the route leaves the fire zone for silver-fir and noble-fir woods, crosses talus with a view toward Mount Defiance, and drops through older conifers before climbing past Lindsey Creek to North Lake. The trail continues beyond the lake to its southern end. North Lake's earthen outlet wall was built in the early twentieth century to raise it as a log pond; flumes once carried timber to Stanley-Smith Lumber Mill at Kingsley.

The full route is one-way, not a loop. Plan a vehicle shuttle between the campground start and the Mount Defiance South pullout on Forest Road 2820. The road is rough and dusty, with a 4–5-car pullout. Without a shuttle, the commonly described North Lake turnaround is a 12.8-mile out-and-back with 4,220 feet of gain. Reach the start from I-84 Exit 51 via Wyeth Road, then keep right past the first two campground loops. A day-use fee or valid recreation pass is required. From October through May, the campground gate is closed and hikers walk in from the Historic Columbia River Highway trailhead. Dogs are allowed on leash.