Columbia Gorge Traverse (Gorge Trail #400)

Gorge Trail #400 threads a low-elevation corridor from Angels Rest to Wyeth, stringing together existing Gorge routes with a few connector sections built in the 1970s and early 1990s. The Angels Rest Trail forms the western end, chosen for its outstanding first mile despite the 1,400-foot climb that bookends the full traverse. The connector between Herman Creek and Wyeth was the last section built and remains one of the quieter stretches.

The route gains 4,725 feet across 34.9 miles but rarely climbs above 1,855 feet. The freeway is a constant companion in the middle sections; the Pacific Crest Trail stretch between Cascade Locks and Herman Creek, and the Herman-to-Wyeth leg along the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness boundary, offer more seclusion. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned intensely along much of the corridor. Affected sections are more exposed now, brushier where canopy was lost, and prone to winter slides and washouts. The first mile out of Dodson toward Nesmith Point was swept away in the February 1996 pineapple express, leaving a 2.25-mile road walk between trail sections.

Most people hike this in sections rather than as a single push. A one-day through-hike is possible for trained distance hikers or runners. Few trailside campsites exist: Ainsworth State Park, the Angels Rest Trail, the PCT section, and Herman Camp are the options. The trail is accessible nearly year-round, making it the rare winter-friendly long route in the region when upper trails are snowed in. Car shuttle or bike-shuttle logistics are standard; several section hikes add extra distance to reach trailheads off the main line.