North Lake (3,988') is located 6.4 miles from Wyeth Trailhead in the Mark Hatfield Wilderness. This challenging hike climbs steadily through diverse, mature forests with occasional views to the Green Point Ridge Trail split, where it drops and rises back to North Lake.

The Gorton Creek Bridge leads west on the Gorge Trail #400 with scrambling access to Emerald Falls and Gorton Creek Falls

Social trails lace through marshy brush on the north side of North Lake

Leaves change color in the fall as chlorophyll production slows and less dominate pigments can be seen; carotenoids produce orange-yellow colors, while reds and purples come from anthocyanins, a pigment formed when sugars break down in bright sunlight

Shortly past the Green Point Ridge Trail split the forest opens with views of Mount Defiance (4,959'), the highest point in the Columbia River Gorge

Mountain Hemlock prefer a cool to cold maritime climate with mild to cold winters, a brief warm to cool growing season and moderate to high precipitation

The Columbia River supports one of the world's largest and most complex hydropower systems, with 14 dams along the main river and over 450 dams throughout the basin

Just put your head down and go! The Wyeth Trail climbs steadily through tall columns of Douglas fir that give way to silver fir and mountain hemlock at higher elevations

Views are limited and short-lived along the way

Poison oak is common along this trail, especially the first 3 miles; poison oak can be hard to identify because it can grow in different forms such as a vine, tall shrub or ground cover

There are several established campsites at North Lake (like this one), and in the surrounding forest along Lindsey Creek

Pacific Silver Fir can grow 100 - 230' tall with a 45" diameter; they have only moderate frost resistance, and a thin bark with highly flammable foliage that limits fire resistance

The Wyeth Trail climbs over 3800' in 6.4 miles to North Lake, and continues on with access to Rainy Lake, Bear Lake and Mount Defiance