Herman Creek Trail #406

Herman Creek Trail #406 is a long hike route in the Columbia River Gorge that runs through the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The trailhead is the west end of the Herman Creek Campground near Cascade Locks, and the trail ultimately connects to Pacific Crest Trail #2000 at the Herman Creek/PCT junction near Wahtum Lake.

Expect a sustained creek-and-forest corridor with lots of side creeks and multiple mossy, stream-fed drainages. The route includes a junction-based progression: past Herman Camp, then through the Casey Creek Trail #476 junction area, and onward to the Herman Cutoff Trail #410 junction and Cedar Swamp campsite area.

A key landmark on the Herman Creek Trail #406 is the 100-ft waterfall on a side creek encountered after Herman Camp (with the trail also crossing several other creek drainages earlier). The route continues eastward from there and reaches the Pacific Crest Trail connection after traveling roughly 6 miles from the Casey Creek junction area.

For the long-distance version that pushes beyond day-hike turnaround points, the #406 route is commonly used as a way to reach the south shore of Wahtum Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail. A typical plan is to turn left onto Pacific Crest Trail #2000 and continue about 1.6 miles to Wahtum Lake after reaching the #2000 junction.

Trail surfaces are mapped as path/ground, and the trail is used by hikers and also supports horseback riding. Wilderness regulations apply across the route, and the trail is managed under Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness boundaries.

Parking/access is at Herman Creek Trailhead at Herman Creek Campground; fees are handled with a $5 per-vehicle-per-day fee at the trailhead, with recreation passes accepted as payment. Winter access conditions can make parts of the route difficult seasonally (snowed in between November and May on the upper southern end).

More information: Visitor information, Herman Creek Hike, Herman Creek Trail and PCT loop from Cascade Locks to ...