Gorton Creek Falls Loop Scramble A22

For the 4th edition Curious Gorge I’ve created a loop adventure from the Wyeth Campground to Trail 400…and then looping back to Gorton Creek Falls.  Of course the book has all the written details of how to complete this semi-off-trail loop.  That maps below are intended to complement my written description.

 

 

Wyeth Campground at exit 51, Hwy 84

Wyeth Campground has a really interesting, yet almost unknown history.  In the 1940’s, during WWII, it was used as a camp for Conscientious Objectors to the war.    Here is an article written about the history by a great local writer and founder of Rediviva magazine, Tomi Owens:

https://newwest.net/main/article/the_path_less_followed_leads_to_wyet/

Heading up Gorton Creek from Wyeth Campground

Trails signs do not indicate a nearby waterfall—YAY!!

The Trail 400 bridge spanning Gorton Creek

At the bridge keep going straight and upstream along the obvious, yet unsigned, wide trail:

Lower Gorton Creek falls, springtime high water

The trail’s end at Gorton Creek

The trail suddenly ends at the side of Gorton Creek.  Some people have tried to bushwhack up the steep hill to the left here, but you really need to take to the streambed at this point and rock-hop and splash your way up the final 200 yards to Gorton Creek Falls.

Streambed route to Gorton Creek falls

Rock-hopping up Gorton Creek

The base of Gorton Creek falls

Gazing at Gorton

The entire Gorton Creek falls