This conditioning hike uses several trail to make a lollypop loop. I started out at the Herman Creek trailhead at about 200 ft and took this trail to the Nick Eaton Trail. I then climbed up the Nick Eaton Trail to the first summit spot at about 3200 ft. From here I continued along the ridge trail to the Deadwood trail cut off and follow it down to the Gordon Creek Trail. I spent a little time looking for the old Deadwood camp site but it appears to have been wiped it out in the burn. I then headed back on Gordon Creek trail to rejoin the Herman Creek trail and return to my car. It was about 9.5 miles, 3000 elevation gain and on the trail for about 6 hours.
Trailhead sign - Starting out on Trail #406
The moss is starting to return to these boulders
The Junction - Today I take the high road I mean trail
Reaching the old road section of Herman Creek trail
The levels out and heads into a Wilderness area
Original CCC trail marker on the Nick Eaton trail
The climb begins through burnt trees
A patch of Rosy Plectritis
A opening in the trees to look down on the Columbia River
Blue Eye Mary
Flowers along the trail
Flowers along the trail
Looking up the first view point
Looking down the Columbia River Gorge
Looking up Herman Creek Valley to Wooly Horn
Looking over to Benson Plateau
I had come up a long ways but had more to go
Trail junction a turn right for more of Nick Eaton Trail
The trail continuing on
Indian Paint Brush along the trail
Trail up to the first summit along the ridge. It is not easy.
At the summit. Not much here but there is a view.
The next hills to climb along Nick Eaton Ridge
The ridge was badly burned but green has return
Start of the Deadwood Trail. Bush wacking on this one.
Best view of Mt. Adam is on the Deadwood Trail
Bunch Berry flowers along the Gordon Creek Trail
Heading back on the Gordon Creek Trail
A view of Mt. St. Helen through burnt trees
Thimble Berries trying to take over the trail
