2014.9.7. Sunny Sunday. Herman Creek trailhead is only 2 miles north of Cascade Locks. Mary agreed to hike
Indian Point loop with me, even though she's been here twice this year already, and it's dry and potentially hot. 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Only ~7.5 miles, 2800' gain. Yes, slow: Mary is slow going up, and I am going down. 1.2 miles to Herman Camp (a power line strip in the middle), turned left onto Gordon Creek trail for 2.6 miles. Continued for a few steps past Cutoff trail for a steep downhill to Indian Point. Long lunch, saw at least 5 small planes going west. Now, took Cutoff trail for ~0.6 mile, turn right on Nick Eaton trail for ~1.4 miles, turn right on to Herman Creek trail to the car. Most of this trail is smooth, and relatively easy, except for the short spur to the Indian Point. Great view at the point: all along the gorge, Mt Adams was a bit faint. The rock was loose and I abandoned climbing it.
Most of this loop is shade by trees, some are quite big. So not as hot as I dreaded. I saw neither Herman Creek nor Gordon Creek. Highway noise on a better part of this loop. Mary found a good sized young chanterelle, a nice prize for this weekend. As always, I learnt some plants from her: funny seeding of
Queen Anne's Lace, nice pattern on the leaves of
Rattlesnake Orchid. The flower in the photo to the right is still unknown.
2014.9.7. Sunny Sunday. Herman Creek trailhead is only 2 miles north of Cascade Locks. Mary agreed to hike Indian Point loop with me, even though she's been here twice this year already, and it's dry and potentially hot. 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Only ~7.5 miles, 2800' gain. Yes, slow: Mary is slow going up, and I am going down. 1.2 miles to Herman Camp (a power line strip in the middle), turned left onto Gordon Creek trail for 2.6 miles. Continued for a few steps past Cutoff trail for a steep downhill to Indian Point. Long lunch, saw at least 5 small planes going west. Now, took Cutoff trail for ~0.6 mile, turn right on Nick Eaton trail for ~1.4 miles, turn right on to Herman Creek trail to the car. Most of this trail is smooth, and relatively easy, except for the short spur to the Indian Point. Great view at the point: all along the gorge, Mt Adams was a bit faint. The rock was loose and I abandoned climbing it. 
Most of this loop is shade by trees, some are quite big. So not as hot as I dreaded. I saw neither Herman Creek nor Gordon Creek. Highway noise on a better part of this loop. Mary found a good sized young chanterelle, a nice prize for this weekend. As always, I learnt some plants from her: funny seeding of Queen Anne's Lace, nice pattern on the leaves of Rattlesnake Orchid. The flower in the photo to the right is still unknown.
