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Trail

Herman Cutoff Trail #410

A connector in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness dropping from Rainy Wahtum Trail to Herman Creek Trail, useful for loops near Rainy Lake and Wahtum Lake.

Representative photo, not this exact spot. Photo: Drew Burks via Pexels · Pexels License

Handy for loop hikes, Herman Cutoff Trail #410 joins Rainy Wahtum Trail #409 to Herman Creek Trail #406 in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, tying the Rainy Lake area to Waucoma Ridge and Wahtum Lake.

Start at Rainy Lake Campground, off Dead Point Road south of Hood River, and follow Rainy Wahtum Trail #409, an old road, west 1.2 miles to the junction at 4,400 feet, near a small wooden shelter. The cutoff descends on long, gradual switchbacks, then shorter, steeper ones, into the soggy lowland along Herman Creek’s East Fork. Pick your way around massive trees and small streams to meet Herman Creek Trail #406 down at 2,800 feet.

Trail map & elevation

Length2.2 mi one way
Climb1,510 ft up, 13 ft down
Elevation2,906 to 4,403 ft
DifficultyHard
2,9003,7004,5000 mi2.1 mi
Elevation (ft) along the trail
Download GPX Directions to the start
Trail class
Class 2 of 5
Typical grade
12-20%
Surface
Native material
Tread width
18-24 inches
Ranger district
Hood River

Connects to: Rainy Wahtum Trail #409, Gorton Creek Trail #408, Herman Creek Trail #406

More about the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and its trails →

Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.

Getting there

From Hood River, OR

  1. Travel south on OR Hwy 281 Dee Highway (it goes past the Hood River airport) approximately 11 miles to Dee.
  2. Take the right fork here and cross the East Fork of the Hood River.
  3. Turn right again and go 1.2 miles up Punchbowl Road until it crosses the West Fork of the Hood River.
  4. The road becomes Dead Point Road (Forest Road 2820) here.
  5. Follow Dead Point Road 11 miles until you get to Rainy Lake Campground and Trailhead.
  6. Take Rainy Wahtum Trail #409 west about 1.2 miles to get to the junction with Herman Cutoff #410.

From the Forest Service

Rules and restrictions

Wilderness regulations apply.

All fees

$10/vehicle/day at Wahtum Lake Trailhead during concessionaire's operating season.

Passes and permits

A Northwest Forest Pass is required at Wahtum Lake Trailhead during concessionaire's operating season.

Ranger office

Hood River Ranger District
Address: 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, OR 97041
Phone: 541-352-6002
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)

Details from the official Forest Service page, a public-domain U.S. government source.

Trails nearby

Rainy Wahtum Trail #409 10 mi 1,442 ft Hard Gorton Creek Trail #408 7.4 mi 1,454 ft Hard Herman Creek Trail #406 16 mi 4,520 ft Very hard North Lake Trail #423 2.8 mi 695 ft Moderate Green Point Ridge Trail #418 5 mi 809 ft Moderate Rainy Lake Trail #423A 1.2 mi 119 ft Easy Anthill Trail #406B 3.8 mi 840 ft Moderate Plateau Cutoff Trail #412 1 mi 101 ft Easy Wyeth Trail #411 5.4 mi 1,063 ft Hard Mt. Defiance Trail #413 5.8 mi 2,245 ft Hard Benson Spur Trail #405C 1 mi 47 ft Easy Casey Creek Trail #476 3.6 mi 2,428 ft Hard

Last checked November 4, 2026