Hood River, June 25, 2021— The Forest Service will temporarily close the Herman Creek Trailhead in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area from June 28 – July 29, 2021. The closure area includes the Herman Creek Trailhead, Frontage Road, Herman Creek Horse Camp, and the section of Herman Creek Trail between the trailhead and intersection with Herman Bridge Trail. Entering, being within, or parking within these areas are prohibited.
Herman Creek Horse Camp was closed in 2014 because of the hazards associated with numerous dead or dying hazard trees within striking distance of campsites and associated facilities. The campground has a history of active laminated root rot, which is the most damaging root disease of forest trees in Oregon and Washington and one of the most hazardous to people and property in developed sites. Infected trees can appear sound visually and then fail unexpectedly, placing people and property in danger.
A contractor removed the hazardous trees in 2020 and will be returning June 28, 2021 to remove slash and debris from the area. This closure order is needed to provide for public safety during the cleanup work, which must be completed by July 29, 2021 according to the contract requirements. Following the clean-up, the trailhead will open, and the campground will remain closed until additional design and construction work is completed.
During the closure, visitors may access Herman Creek Trail from the Pacific Crest Trail using the Herman Bridge Trail #406E.
About the Herman Creek Trail
The Herman Creek Trail is located in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and explores the largest surviving forest of old growth fir, cedar, and hemlock remaining in the Columbia River Gorge. Spring fed groves of ancient cedar tower above Big Cedar Swamp Shelter while equally large Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, and Western Hemlock fill a fire-preserved basin of the East Fork Herman Creek. A parade of waterfalls, innumerable moss carpeted creeks, a sub-alpine lake, and ridge-top vistas offer a variety of scenery for either the equestrian of backpacker exploring the Herman Creek Trail.
For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/crgnsa/home.