Conditions:Cougar Creek-20240620154214
Latest: |
19 Jun 2024 (1 yr ago) |
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| Reported by: | Fil (36 reports), K arc (381 reports) | |
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| Quality: | Ok |
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| Waterflow: | Moderate Low |
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| Wetsuit: | Thin wetsuit |
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| Water temperature: | ||
| Difficulty: | Normal |
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| Time: |  9 hours
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Team: 3 people
Trip report URL:
Comments: Explored an alternate entrance to main Cougar, dropping right off the road near the parking area. Upper section above confluence 1 has a few short drops, but nothing particularly noteworthy. (Might be better to go right to confluence 1 next time.) Fools Waterpark (aka the Hall of Moss) is an extraordinarily beautiful series of pools and cascades, culminating in the terrific 130ft rappel. (Watch that edge - sharp!) Below the big falls enter a bit of a boulder maze which can be a bit soul-sucking after the easy & fun upper section. Slog on downstream to eventually reach the lower narrows which are terrific (apart from from the enormous anxiety-inducing logjam in the middle; requires careful climbing and needed two nuisance rappels to get out). Final exit is around 2mi back to the Trail of Two Forest which is long and hot. Map has been updated with our track. Summary: when Cougar's good, it's really good... but loses some points for the long exit and boulder garden. Start early and be prepared for a full day out.
All condition reports
| Date | Quality | Waterflow | Wetsuit | Difficulty | Time | Team | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Moderate Low
| Thin wetsuit
| | | 2 people | K arc (381 reports) | |
Comment: Dropped into Cougar via the northeast tributary, which is a canyon unto itself. Will be documented elsewhere on ropewiki. This approach drops into classic Cougar just above the big logjam. We were pleased to discover a nice bypass, climbing up a ridge DCR, then rappelling back in downstream of the hazard. Had a little trouble finding the bolt on the next anchor as it was covered in debris that had come down from above. Decommissioned the bolt on the last rappel. This was a bad rappel line, dropping into a hanging pool with the full force of the creek coming down on top of you. Rappel from webbing on log DCL avoids the problem.
The swamp thrash was head-high vegetation and a bit dispiriting, but, fortunately, it goes quick. Glad to get up on the lava bed. We tried a more southern route for the hike out which seemed: 1) more shaded, 2) less up & down. Win? Con: slightly longer.
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| Ok | Moderate Low
| Thin wetsuit
| Normal | 9 hours
| 3 people | Fil (36 reports),K arc (381 reports) | |
Comment: Explored an alternate entrance to main Cougar, dropping right off the road near the parking area. Upper section above confluence 1 has a few short drops, but nothing particularly noteworthy. (Might be better to go right to confluence 1 next time.) Fools Waterpark (aka the Hall of Moss) is an extraordinarily beautiful series of pools and cascades, culminating in the terrific 130ft rappel. (Watch that edge - sharp!) Below the big falls enter a bit of a boulder maze which can be a bit soul-sucking after the easy & fun upper section. Slog on downstream to eventually reach the lower narrows which are terrific (apart from from the enormous anxiety-inducing logjam in the middle; requires careful climbing and needed two nuisance rappels to get out). Final exit is around 2mi back to the Trail of Two Forest which is long and hot. Map has been updated with our track. Summary: when Cougar's good, it's really good... but loses some points for the long exit and boulder garden. Start early and be prepared for a full day out.
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