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.
Nick Eaton – Gordon Creek Loop
I had not done a long hike in a long while. I want one that would be a good conditioning hike take me back to a trail I had not been on in many years so I took on the Nick Eaton – Gordon Creek Trail Loop. I actual set off to do the Nick Eaton – Casey Creek – Herman Creek Trails Loop but found when I got to Casey Creek it was no more. Another trail a victims of the fire. Much of Nick Eaton Trail was burned over by the fire leaving it in very bad condition. Gordon Creek trail also had several areas burned over with one so bad I had to use my GPS to find may way through it. So a lot of bad trail and a longer then planned on route gave me a long hard day of hiking.
Hike was 14.25 miles, 4325 total Gain , Time 7:22 moving, 1:22 stop , Moving Average 2 mph