Babyshoe Creek
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| | Raps:1-2, max ↨150ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 0.6mi Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 16 Sep 2023
"Checked out the Babyshoe approach to the Lewis River just to see what was going on in there. Would be much more fun earlier in the season with water. |
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| Best season: | May-Jul
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46.2581, -121.6144
46.2597, -121.6131
46.2557, -121.6085
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Introduction
Babyshoe is a short, sweet objective in the upper reaches of the Lewis River Valley. It has 1-2 rappels, and some easy bushwhacking. This is not a major destination.
- Babyshoe can also be used as an alternate entry to Lewis River - although be aware when Babyshoe has good water, the upper Lewis may be quite high.
- The watershed is 0.6mi^2. It is likely fed by springs in a swampy area to the northeast. With a smaller watershed, it's often open for business earlier than other creeks in the area.
Approach
From the junction of FR-90 and FR-23, follow FR-23 north for 2.7mi to where Babyshoe Creek passes underneath the road in a culvert. Find a good place to park nearby.
Follow the east side of Babyshoe Creek for about 0.13mi before dropping in just above the technical section.
Descent
- R1: 50ft from tree. (Possible downclimb in low water.)
- Downclimb around a fallen log.
- R2: 150ft depending on the tree anchor DCR through a narrow chute.
Exit
When the canyon opens, it gets brushy quickly. Make your way downstream until you can easily exit up the embankment on the DCL / east side. From here, there are several options:
1) Continue downhill through open forest, following the path of least resistance to intersect the Lewis River a few hundred yards above R2. Note that the water will triple or more upon entering the Lewis River. Depending on where you come out, you might need to do a short nuisance rappel into the creek.
2) No shuttle: Hike back up to the road (~0.25mi, +300ft) to your car.
3) Shuttle: Contour east about 0.25mi (+100ft) to the road. Your exit will be near the typical entrance of the Lewis River. From here, it's 0.6mi shuttle back to the top of Babyshoe.
Red tape
None.
Beta sites
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CanyoneeringNorthwest.com (archive.org) : Babyshoe Creek
