Anthill Trail #406B

This trail enters the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. This trail offers fine views of the lower Hood River Valley, Wahtum Lake, Chinidere Mountain and the upper Eagle Creek Drainage. The anthills are abandoned and new ones built each year and often a hill will be built directly in the trail. Why the ants have chosen this particular location to build their homes is somewhat of a mystery. This trail has several great views of Wahtum Lake and provides a nice loop back on Herman Creek Trail #406 to access to Pacific Crest Trail #2000.

The trail begins at the Wahtum Lake Trailhead, across the road from the Wahtum Lake Campground. It ascends east to a ridge at a moderate and constant grade through heavy timber. On top of the ridge an outcrop of rock provides a fine viewpoint or picnic site. The trail then meanders gently along the ridge until reaching Forest Road 670 after 1.5 miles. This is the site of the Old Mud Lake Guard Station. The trail crosses the road, then drops down to the junction with the Herman Creek Trail #406. For a nice 4.6-mile loop, turn left (southwest) onto Herman Creek Trail #406 and follow it for 1 mile to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000. Turn left (east) onto #2000 and follow it to the trailhead at Wahtum Lake. For a slightly shorter 4.2 mile loop, follow #406 to Chinidere Cutoff Trail #406M. Turn left onto #406M and follow it for 0.7 mile to Eagle Creek Trail #440. Turn left onto #440 and follow it 0.1 mile to the junction with #2000. Turn left onto #2000 and follow it for 0.25 to trail #406H. Turn south onto #406H and follow it to the trailhead at Wahtum Lake Campground.