A conditioning hike to overlooking Indian Point in the Columbia River Gorge. The trail sequence was Herman Creek, Nick Eaton Way, Ridge Cutoff Trail and Gordon Creek Trail. This takes one through burn forest, old growth, scenic viewpoints and on Nick Eaton Way some very steep trails. The early season wildflowers were in bloom. By the numbers: 8,4 miles, 2790 ft elevation gain in 5 1/2 hours on trail.
I started on the Herman Creek Trail
A few hundred ft of trail under powerlines
The moss is coming back to the bolder field
New sign up at the road trail junction
New sign for the bike trail
This section is now a mix use trail
No bike allowed in the wilderness
The original sign for trails that have been renamed or are gone.
Still some ruff spots on the Nick Eaton Trail
The fire opened up some viewing windows
The first meadow has no flowers yet
Trail climbing through burnt forest
Looking up at the viewpoint rock
Looking down the Gorge
Looking over to Benson Plateau.
Looking up to Wooly Horn
Burn limbs bleach white
Looking through burnt trees to Benson Plateau
Lots of fuel load around now
New douge fir starting to grew
New sign up at the cutoff trail I took
The cutoff trail goes through some of the worst of the burn
View up the Gorge from over looking Indian Point ridge
Heading back on the Gorden Creek Trail with windows on the Gorge.
In green trees just before rejoining Herman Cr. Trail
A view of Mt Adams
View of Mt. Saint Helens through the trees
Currant bush blooming
Indian Paint Brush just coming up
Oregon Grape in bloom
Maybe Arutostaphyles Columbiana
Trilliums blooming by the trail
Closer view of trilliums with a bug
A nice colorful flower
Patch of Avalanche Lily
