Archer Creek (Columbia River Gorge)

Archer Creek (Columbia River Gorge) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 3.1 (20 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C I (v3a4 I) Swift water Raps:‌4, max ↨60ft Metric Overall: 1-2h Approach:  ⟷0.5mi  ↑360ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Basalt
Start:	45.6073, -122.1116
Parking:	45.6006, -122.1117
Condition Reports:	14 Apr 2025 "The creek was beautiful and fun in current water levels. However during the creek walk after R1 approaching a small cascade DCR the rocky creek floor
Weather:
Best season:	Apr-Jun winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Pacific Northwest  Washington Oregon Columbia River Gorge  Washington Side

45.6073, -122.111645.6006, -122.1117https://ropewiki.com/images/0/05/Archer_Creek_%28Columbia_River_Gorge%29.kmltopo

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Reference photos

29 Aug 2023: Very Low. Water flow should not represent any danger (class B = a2).

1 Dec 2019: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

15 Jun 2021: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

26 Nov 2021: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (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 short, close-in creek in the Columbia Gorge at has a neat mini-narrows and a couple of hanging pools. The creek takes a few hours to run and could be combined with other short creeks in the area. Makes for a nice quick after-work adventure when the days are long.

• Watershed: 1.25mi^2.

Approach

Park at the St. Cloud Day Use Area just off Hwy 14 near milepost 30. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Parking pass required.

From the parking area, walk back up the entry drive, and cross the RR tracks and Hwy 14. Pick up the trail on the far side. Cross Gable Creek, then follow the trail to Archer Creek. The trail switchbacks up and, after about 10min of hiking, reaches a junction with a view of the big falls. This is the checkpoint on the flow.

If the flow looks good, continue on up the trail through several switchbacks until the trail reaches the rim. Ignore the first faint path going left (dead end) and take the second. Follow it down into a stand of large Doug Fir trees that escaped the loggers, then down to meet the creek. Just downstream is the top of R1 behind a giant car-sized boulder.

Descent

• R1: Middle Archer Falls - 20ft from a log. Beware body-width crack DCL which might be a possible entrapment hazard.

Below the falls, thrash downstream through the jungle. Takes about 5min to the next drop. Creek can be quite slippery.

Lower Archer Falls (R2 - R4). Rappelling R2 commits you to the rest of the descent.

• R2: 20ft from pinch under a rock DCL that's set back 10ft from the drop. There's a big log in the chute as of 2024.

• R3: 15ft from a log. There's a log in the middle of this drop, and several more in the chest-deep pool below.

• R4: 60ft from bolt station DCR. The DCL side of the falls has more flow, but there are currently logs in the drop which could be problematic for rappellers. There's also one potential entrapment hazard close to the bottom near the center. Other hazards:

• • Beware loose rock on this falls. Tread lightly. Anyone at the bottom should stay well back out of the line of fire.
  • The large log that was previously used as an anchor here is no longer safe. Do not use.

Exit

At the bottom of the falls, there's easy exit up DCL to the trail. Return the way you came.

Red tape

A NW Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead.

Note that this creek is entirely on National Forest land and is not part of the Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve (NAP).

• For more information, see Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve. The webpage mentions basalt cliffs and steep talus slopes. This appears to be a reference to Archer Valley, the large valley about 1mi upstream, which is home to several endangered plant and animal species. According to the website, this area is closed to visitors.

Background

Lower Archer was first descended by Kevin Clark, Wade Hewitt, and Andy Sorenson in December 2019.