Herman Creek Cutoff Trail #410

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek

The main use for this trail is as a connector that allows you to form loop hikes or backpacks between the East Fork of Herman Creek drainage and Rainy Lake/Lindsey Creek drainage. It can be reached either by hiking south on the Herman Creek Trail #406 or up from the Rainy Lake Campground (which can be reached by car when the road is open).

From the Rainy Lake Campground, head west and uphill on Rainy Wahtum Trail #409 (an old abandoned road) for 1.2 miles to its junction with the #410 and the Gorton Creek Trail #408. This trail junction is at 4,400 feet and is marked by a small wood shelter.

Past the shelter, the #410 makes a gradual descent, then drops further through two long, gradual switchbacks. After descending through some shorter, steeper switchbacks lower down, the #410 ends at a junction with the Herman Creek Trail #406 in the wet bottomland of the East Fork of Herman Creek near the primitive Cedar Swamp Camp.