Camp Creek

Camp Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌3, max ↨50ft Metric Overall: 4-5h  ⟷4mi Approach:  ↑1700ft Descent:  ⟷0.2mi  ↓341ft Exit:  ↑750ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger
Location:	45.6669, -121.8190
Condition Reports:	7 May 2023 "Returned to Camp Creek after a visit 2 weeks prior. Cleared some of the debris from the top of R1. The R3 anchor is now on a tree DCR and not on the u
Weather:
Best season:	April-July winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Pacific Northwest  United States Oregon Washington Columbia River Gorge  Oregon Side

https://web.archive.org/web/20210527212206/www.canyoneeringnorthwest.com/CampCreek/Camp_Creek.php,http://ropewiki.com/User:Super_Amazing_Map?id=Camp_Creek_-_Oregon

http://karl-helser.com/camp-creek-canyoneer-5-10-15

45.6669, -121.8190https://ropewiki.com/images/5/51/Camp_Creek.kmltopo

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Reference photos

3 Aug 2014: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Fun outing.

17 May 2015: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

14 Jun 2020: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

18 Apr 2023: 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

Camp Creek was overrun by the Eagle Creek wildfire in Sept 2017. While the area has reopened and it's possible to run the canyon, the area is still very unstable. Expect lots of woody debris and loose rocks in the creek. It's not nearly as nice as it was pre-fire.

Short & sweet objective on a minor tributary of Herman Creek. Camp is usually "open for business" relatively early in the season, although be aware that it dumps into Herman Creek which will always be running much higher. Camp is a good creek for beginners. Requires some amount of navigation / bushwhacking to exit. A good creek for training beginners.

• Watershed: 0.6mi^2. (This does not take Herman Creek into account which will be running much higher.)

Approach

Drive up through the Herman Creek campground and continue bearing right at all junctions to find the trailhead. (The road into the campground is closed/gated in the winter season. If the gate is closed, you can park just on Frontage Rd adjacent to the gate. It's a 5min hike up to the trailhead.)

• Parking down on Frontage Road may be preferred as this trailhead is known for car break-ins. Do not leave any valuables or things that look potentially valuable in your car.

Follow trail 406 until it intersects Camp Creek (~2.5mi). It takes about 1-1.5hrs. Bring a map as there are several junctions. Beware poison oak along the trail. Start your descent down a small, brushy creek until you reach the first rappel in about 15min. There is a lot of new debris in the creek post-fire.

Descent

R1: Multi-tier: 35ft to a platform, then another 35ft to the bottom. Anchor DCL on a still-living tree. 100ft of rope (single strand) is required for both drops due to the horizontal distance.

Immediately below the rappel is a short 6ft drop. Can body anchor it or downclimb DCL.

R2: 50'. Anchor off a tree DCR atop a small cascade that precedes the waterfall. Rappel right down through the flow.

R3: 30'. Anchor off a tree DCR well out of the creek. This rappel drops into an ankle deep pool of Herman Creek.

Be aware, Herman Creek can run very high in the early season and has a LOT more flow than Camp Creek. There is a 20ft falls just upstream of the confluence on Herman Creek. If it's a nice day, it's worth the detour to go see it. (This is the exit from the Herman Creek narrows.)

Early in the season, there may be a short swim downstream of the confluence.

Exit

The exit is an off-trail bushwhack and takes, perhaps, 30min. From Camp Creek, continue down Herman Creek about five minutes until it's easy to exit up the bank DCR. If it's not easy, you haven't gone far enough. Climb up onto a relatively flat forested bench. This is a good place to de-wetsuit. (This is the same exit as Camp Creek.)

Don't attempt to go directly uphill back to the trail per cliffs. The easiest route is follow the bench northwards staying about the same elevation until you reach a small crest just before the next unnamed tributary creek to the north. From here turn right and make your way up to regain the trail. This is the best route out with minimal elevation gain, but the area is full of briars that have grown up post-fire, so you'll need to thread your way through. Try to avoid gaining elevation too early, however.

Once back on the trail, return the way you came.

Red tape

Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the Herman Creek trailhead.

Beta sites

• CanyoneeringNorthwest.com (archive.org)  : Camp Creek
• Super Amazing Map  : Camp Creek

Trip reports and media

• Karl Helser's NW Adventures  : Camp Creek Canyoneer 5-10-15