Portland: Herman Creek
This shady trail in the Columbia River Gorge links four waterfalls in a moss-shrouded gorge with a handful of campsites.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 6.7
Waypoints
HCT001
Location: 45.6827850341797, -121.844497680664
From lot, go L uphill through wooded campground
HCT002
Location: 45.6838836669922, -121.841316223145
Turn R near seasonal bathrooms
HCT003
Location: 45.6826667785644, -121.842384338379
Veer L @ Y onto needle-covered trail past monster Douglas fi rs and big-leaf maples
HCT004
Location: 45.6812171936035, -121.84253692627
Take hard L @ 4-way; orange tiger lilies bloom under power lines
HCT005
Location: 45.6788177490234, -121.843170166016
Climb switchbacks, then turn L @ Y onto Trail 406; Herman Creek rages below
HCT006
Location: 45.6797676086426, -121.84033203125
Keep straight, staying on middle bench running E. Chanterelle mushrooms grow in forest duff
HCT007
Location: 45.6801338195801, -121.830116271973
Primitive campsites @ Herman Creek Camp (no permit required); turn R @ Y and gently descend
HCT008
Location: 45.6718139648438, -121.820816040039
Creeklet dive-bombs 100 ft. into a deeply cut, moss- and fern-covered side canyon. Ahead are three more (less dramatic) no-name cascades
HCT009
Location: 45.6684532165527, -121.815330505371
Straight @ Camp Creek crossing
HCT010
Location: 45.6557731628418, -121.81192779541
R @ Y onto Casey Creek Trail to ridgeline campground with deep views to the rambunctious Herman Creek. Backtrack to trailhead