Cabin Creek
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| | Raps:3-4, max ↨150ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 27 May 2025
"Super lushy, very beautiful, fun rappels, no issue with the rope, starvation cut off trail still closed |
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| Best season: | Apr-Jun
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45.6866, -121.6963
45.6882, -121.6904
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Introduction[edit]
Cabin Creek is a very short, fun creek that can be run in the spring. Evaluate the flow carefully before entry. Cabin could be very dangerous in high water conditions.
- The checkpoint the view of the final falls (R3) on the Historic Columbia River Highway (now bike trail).
- Water catchment: 0.5mi^2.
Be aware: historically, the final rappel on Cabin Creek had a reputation for sticking ropes. A new anchor was added in December 2023, which, we believe, should alleviate these pull problems. If you do get a rope stuck, please let folks know on the Pacific NW Canyoning Facebook group, so we can get someone in there to remove it. This waterfall is a popular location, and it's not good to be leaving ropes hanging down the falls. Best solution, if you stick the rope, go back and get it. This is a great way to practice your ascending skills.
Cabin Creek can be combined with other creeks in the immediate area for a longer canyon day.
Approach[edit]
Park at the Starvation Creek trailhead and hike west along the Starvation Ridge trail for 0.25mi. When you reach Cabin Falls, check that the flow is reasonable for everyone on your team. Retrace your steps a short distance and follow the Starvation Creek Cutoff trail upwards for about 0.5mi. Shortly after rounding the nose of the ridge, drop down gentle slopes to the top of R1. Beware poison oak.
- If the Starvation Cutoff trail is closed, the approach is longer. Head west on the bike path for 0.3mi and turn off right to Hole-in-the-Wall Falls. Cross the bridge and follow the trail upwards 0.2mi to a trail junction. Turn left here on the Starvation Ridge Trail and follow it back east 0.8mi to Cabin Creek.
- There is one more 15ft waterfall (R0) about 100 yards upstream of R1. Not recommended. The upper Cabin drainage is overgrown and full of woody debris.
Descent[edit]
- R1: 35ft. Anchor on a log DCR. Someone please move the anchor to the DCL side. This will require a small folding saw to clean up the area around the small tree anchor area.
Ahead is Cabin Falls (R2 & R3): a two-tier falls about 250ft. Historically, this was run as a single rappel, but it's better to break it into two stages.
- R2: 105ft into shallow hanging pool about 20ft long. Anchor off a tree DCL at the top. A doubled 200ft rope will NOT reach the bottom.
- R3: 150ft to the bottom of Cabin Falls from a two bolt anchor DCL. It is may be difficult to hear whistle signals on this drop over the noise of the water, traffic, and occasional passing trains. You may have to move back to the bike trail to be seen.
- Historically, a number of teams have stuck and/or core shot their ropes on R3. The new anchor as of 2023 should help alleviate these problems. Rope damage may have been caused by a sharp edge just adjacent to a tree DCR about halfway down the pitch. Stay DCL to avoid it. Creeping/slipping the rope may be recommended.
- There may be some rockfall hazard. It's prudent to move out of the landing zone and stay well away from the base of the pitch.
Exit[edit]
Follow the bike trail back to the Starvation Creek parking lot.
Red tape[edit]
The falls is fairly popular, so it's best to keep a low profile, make a good impression, and don't overstay your welcome.
Beta sites[edit]
CanyoneeringNorthwest.com (archive.org) : Starvation Creek Area- Super Amazing Map : Cabin Creek