Archer Creek

Archer Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C1 II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌10-12, max ↨70ft Metric Overall:  ⟷1.5mi Approach: 1h  ↑1300ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌Optional 20-30min Vehicle:High Clearance
Location:	45.5404, -123.5506
Condition Reports:	8 Jul 2023 "Archers Creek is a masochists dream right now. There is so much blow down, log jams and brush that it is a constant slog without out much fun. Seve
Weather:
Best season:	Nov-Mar, BEST in winter winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Pacific Northwest  United States Oregon Coast Range

45.5404, -123.5506https://ropewiki.com/images/a/a0/Archer_Creek.kmltopo

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Reference photos

3 May 2018: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Did not run

16 Dec 2018: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Did not run.

3 Mar 2019: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Did not run.

28 Jan 2017: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

3 Dec 2017: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Welcome! Canyons in the Pacific Northwest can be different from those you might be used to. Be ready for unlinked bolts, retrievable traverse lines, and challenging aquatic environments. For more on local practices, and the best way to get started in the region, check out the WCC Safety page. Unlinked Bolts - groups should be comfortable rigging unlinked bolts, either temporarily linking them for all but the last person, or using a passive redundancy method. Most importantly, if you find two bolts side by side that are unlinked, do not add webbing to them. Linking bolts designed to be unlinked will likely cause damage during seasonal floods. Traverse Lines - many canyons are rigged to allow traverse line access to an exposed anchor station. This should be done using self-belay or team belay techniques. Do not leave fixed lines in the canyons. Challenging Environments - the highly aquatic nature of PNW canyons can surprise many. Cold temperatures, slippery rocks, loud waterfalls, and strong currents all lead to unexpected problems. Do not underestimate the need for strong team work and technical proficiency. Belays are frequently not possible. Unattended gear will sink or float away. Sliding and jumping is the cause of most major injuries, so it's critical to effectively communicating water depth & submerged hazards.

Introduction

Another mediocre objective in the Coast Range. Archer might be a good choice early in the season when other creeks are flowing too high. Creek was beginner-friendly when scouted in January 2017. Don't bother with this one after March.

• Creek was fairly clear when first visited in 2017, but became a serious mess of woody debris after the snow-pocalypse event of 2019. Expect the bottom to be full of brush and bushwhacking.

Approach

Lower Trailhead

From Hwy 6, follow Jordan Creek Rd for 1mi, crossing a bridge just before reaching a junction. Continue straight on Jordan Creek Rd, ignoring all other turns for 2.3mi where Archer Creek flows beneath the road in a culvert. Good spot to check the creek for flow.

If you are not going to do a shuttle, follow the ORV trail that leads up the ridge west of Archer Creek. Walk west along Jordan Creek Rd for 0.3mi to find the obvious bottom of the trail and follow it upwards. It a bit eroded and steep. Once you are on the ridge, stay on it the rest of the way. Hike up to about 1800' elevation and drop east into the creek. Takes about 1hr. Hiking up early in the morning may be best to avoid possibility of encountering ORVs.

Upper Trailhead

From the lower parking area, backtrack west on Jordan Creek Rd to the aforementioned junction near the bridge and turn right. Google Maps lies to you here and says the road doesn't go through, but it does. High clearance recommended per deep gravel. Use caution as the road is narrow, steep, and there are a number of blind corners on the road where meeting oncoming traffic could be bad. Keep following the road along the crest for about 3.5mi until you reach Archer Pond.

From the pullout on the west side of the creek, locate an obvious maintained trail climbing over a log. Follow the trail downwards west of the creek (easy) and drop in about 1800ft elevation.

Descent

• 15ft downclimb (~1820').

Just ahead: thicket of briars & devils club. Easy bypass high DCL.

• R1: 20ft.
• R2: 45ft two-tier.
• R3: 20ft.
• R4: 25ft.

Several downclimbs.

• R5: 50ft. Some log debris in the flow DCL.
• R6: 120ft. Most complex drop on Archer consisting of three tiers in quick succession. Creek turns a gentle corner on lower two tiers. Recommend anchoring DCR to descend all three tiers in one go.
• R7: 40ft. Several trees have fallen across the falls forming an obstacle to rappel through.

Several 10-15ft downclimbs in quick succession. Tributary enters from DCL. Further downclimbs below.

• R8: 25ft in three short tiers.
• R9: 20ft.
• Several downclimbs (10ft, 15ft).
• R10: 15ft.

More downclimbs follow. There are a couple 20ft drops near the bottom that can be rappelled, downclimbed, or bypassed depending on your enthusiasm.

Exit

Head downstream a few hundred feet and climb out wherever is easiest DCL. Short trail (likely created by ORV users to go look at the R11 waterfall) leads to the road and your waiting car.

Red tape

None.

Background

Archer Creek was first descended in January 2017 by Kevin Clark, Brad Noren, and Kaitlin Rupert.