Conditions:Hayes Creek-20230816014837

Latest:	13 Aug 2023 (1 yr, 10 mos ago)

Reported by:	Brilzon (9 reports)
Quality:	Ok
Waterflow:	Moderate Low
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Special challenges
Time:	6 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Beginner to Intermediate

Trip report URL:

Comments: Ran full Hayes from R1. Absolutely would not recommend the full canyon. The first rappel, while it is a very pretty waterfall, definitely was not worth all of the route finding, bushwhacking, and scrambling to get to it. Game trails were difficult to follow, and often ended in dead ends with steep exposed terrain. The approach took over 2 hours to get to R1. The creek walk from R1 to R2 also took over an hour, with lots of downed trees across the creek, and many loose rocks that took special care to walk through. Much of the terrain on the shores of the creek was wet and muddy, so it may have flooded recently. We expected the total trip to take about 2-3 hours, but ended up pushing close to 6, finishing the last rap in the dark. The lower canyon was very fun, and anchors were in good condition. Water levels were very comfortable, and nearly all anchors keep the rappeller out of direct flow. I would repeat the lower portion, but would skip the longer full version.

If running the full version again, I would try to stay high when traversing to the first rap. The slope appears to plateau a little bit at the top. I would stay on this less steep shelf as long as possible. The slopes seem to get progressively steeper as you traverse towards R1, and even though it’s forested, a slip or fall could be of high consequence.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 Aug 2023	Ok	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Special challenges	6 hours	2 people Beginner to Intermediate	Brilzon (9 reports)
Comment: Ran full Hayes from R1. Absolutely would not recommend the full canyon. The first rappel, while it is a very pretty waterfall, definitely was not worth all of the route finding, bushwhacking, and scrambling to get to it. Game trails were difficult to follow, and often ended in dead ends with steep exposed terrain. The approach took over 2 hours to get to R1. The creek walk from R1 to R2 also took over an hour, with lots of downed trees across the creek, and many loose rocks that took special care to walk through. Much of the terrain on the shores of the creek was wet and muddy, so it may have flooded recently. We expected the total trip to take about 2-3 hours, but ended up pushing close to 6, finishing the last rap in the dark. The lower canyon was very fun, and anchors were in good condition. Water levels were very comfortable, and nearly all anchors keep the rappeller out of direct flow. I would repeat the lower portion, but would skip the longer full version. If running the full version again, I would try to stay high when traversing to the first rap. The slope appears to plateau a little bit at the top. I would stay on this less steep shelf as long as possible. The slopes seem to get progressively steeper as you traverse towards R1, and even though it’s forested, a slip or fall could be of high consequence.
5 Sep 2022	Great	Low	None	Easy	File:TimeX.png hour File:BarX.png	2 people Advanced to Beginner	Mgd722 (1 reports)
Comment: Great stop for a quick break from driving! Not quite a destination, but a solid addition to round out a weekend in the mountains. We did the short version (R2 and down). With low flows, I went in just shorts and a t-shirt and never felt cold. We brought a 100’ rope and 100’ pullcord and had no problems— the heights stated in the beta are being quite generous. Most raps are double bolted with rings though, so you have to be okay biner blocking using just one or prepared to leave some webbing. R2: double rap with 100’ rope, so 50’ drop. R3: another double rap, would be easily downclimbed on the left. Very short. R4: another short double. Somewhat deep pothole. Like waist? R5: maybe 90’ long. Rapped and used pullcord.
12 Aug 2022	Good	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	2 hours	2 people Advanced	MMclimbhigh (24 reports)
Comment: Fun route. R2 is now bolted with chains on DCR wall. Cleaned up anchor on R4. No need to journey to R1. Great roadside attraction!
2 Aug 2022	Great	Moderate Low		Normal	1 hour	2 people Intermediate to Expert	Mountain Fox (2 reports)
Comment: Moderate flows from overnight rain, tons of fun, nothing majorly challenging
17 Aug 2021	Great	Very Low	None	Easy	2 hours	2 people Intermediate	Andyzellner (2 reports)
Comment: A fun roadside canyon, suitable for anyone. Water levels were seasonably low, maybe 2-3 cfs? I just wore a t-shirt and long pants and got wet from the knees down. The deepest pool we saw on the entire route was perhaps waist deep. There are many, many downed trees on the hike up to R1, so don't expect to follow a clear trail all the way there. Still worth the trip. The final rappel is nice but nowhere near 120 feet. I'd say 80 feet from the anchors to the bottom. Our 60 meter rope was wayyy more than enough.
29 Sep 2020	Ok	Very Low	Thin wetsuit	Easy	2 hours	2 people Advanced	Blueshade (55 reports)
Comment: Completely agree that hiking to the upper is a pain and the single (not great, mostly out of the flow) rappel does not merit the hike back down the creek. As is, the lower section still is only about a 2 star canyon. Two ok short slides, but the rest is hardly worth it. R2 can be bypassed on the left on small ledges by the skilled. R4 is completely out of the flow on poorly placed bolts (above a perfectly good tree). Not verified, but we both thought this rap should be under 100' (not 120'). Ok outing to kill a few hours but not a destination
22 Sep 2020	Good	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	2 hours	4 people Intermediate to Expert	Xenonrocket (103 reports),Rbowru (54 reports),Etphonemars (2 reports)
Comment: The hike to the upper section was a slog through very steep brush and lots of downed trees, with very little game path at all (maybe last winter took out a social trail if it existed?). We didn't think R1 + boulder hopping down to the lower section was worth the extra approach - would recommend sticking to the lower section, which was fun & had some enjoyable slides despite low water. Anchors and bolts appeared in good condition.
26 Aug 2018	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Easy	5 hours	2 people Brand new to Intermediate	Sdunne (3 reports)
Comment: flow was fairly low, expected for the dry season. able to do a controlled slide between all potholes without putting ankles at risk. Anchors/bolts are all in good condition and as described in beta