16 miles of hiking • 5000' elevation gain •
Dead camera battery=no photos. Started from Herman Creek TH and went up the Herman Creek Trail 3 or so miles until I reached the southern ridge of Camp Creek (first substantial creek crossing after the wilderness sign). I ascended this ridge for 3000 ft to Nick Eaton Ridge just north of the Casey Creek trail junction. The lower half had alternating bands of oak and doug fir/hemlock coupled with rocky spines and open hanging meadows, offering great views of the watershed and surrounding ridges. The second half was solid tree cover but easy cross country. Hit snow around 3200 ft. Followed a bear's tracks for some time but never saw it. Nick Eaton Ridge had 2-6 inches of snow along its entirety. Followed one other set of boot prints in the snow until I turned left at Deadwood Trail junction. Took Deadwood Trail for its entirety. Parts of it are in rough shape, particularly around the talus field openings. Slumping grade, drainage issues, overgrowth on the trail thicker than just shin-high brush. Numerous logs were down across the trail. I had a folding saw and removed what I could, but there is still much work to do. Once the trail goes along a north/south running ridge east of Deadwood Camp, I left the trail and continued along said ridge; soon dropping steeply to a knife ridge that offers a spectacular 180 degree view, including a unique look at Indian Point. Some have dubbed it Deadwood Point and what a viewpoint it was! Re-traced my steps back to the trail and continued west where it becomes Gorton Creek Trail and also made a detour to Indian Point before descending Gorton Creek Trail back to Herman Creek to complete the loop.
