Conditions:Patterson Creek (Upper)-20250718024802
Latest: |
6 Jul 2025 (3 mos ago) |
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| Reported by: | RFontaine (315 reports) | |
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| Quality: | Great |
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| Waterflow: | ||
| Wetsuit: | None |
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| Water temperature: | ||
| Difficulty: | ||
| Time: |  11 hours
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Team: 4 people
Trip report URL:
Comments: Looking up canyon from the Patterson Creek bridge, a massive double head wall looms in the distance. A beautiful, irresistible challenge waiting to be descended!
Armed with a few pairs of loppers, bolts, and over 1000’ of rope between us, we set off to carve a path up to the top.
The initial approach following a gated penstock road was tame but that ease fleeted as we neared the end of the road and delved into the brush following our pre plotted line on the topo.
Hacking and thrashing our way, we carved a tunnel through thick vegetation up and along the ridge to the drainage. Half way up we went too high and got cliffed out. We ended up having to rap 80’ down to a lower bench to continue our ascent.
The brush was dense and plenty of poison oak. However, wearing long sleeves and pants, I only sustained a small rash on my forearm.
5.5 hours later our path was carved and we had arrived at the oasis that is Upper Patterson Creek. We cooled off and bathed in the pools before heading to the edge of the headwall. I believe later groups could do this approach in 3hrs now that a path exists. However, it is still prudent to bring loppers to continue cleaning the path to ease future descents.
The headwall rappels are glorious. We installed bolted anchors in granite. There are a few hanging rebelays. One of which drops 390’. I suspect this rappel could be broken up with another,(albeit less than ideal) hanging station.
The twin headwalls are separated by a huge rock bench. Beautiful views and big drops abide.
Needless to say, all rappels are very high angle and down sheer walls. Water flow was a light sprinkly shower. No neo needed. A rain jacket was nice for the 2nd headwall.
At the bottom, following the creek down quickly puts you back at the bridge.
This first descent took us 11 hours however I am sure future parties could complete in far less time now that it is established.
A definite must do for the ambitious and hardy canyoneer.
This absolutely blows Lower Patterson out of the water.
All condition reports
| Date | Quality | Waterflow | Wetsuit | Difficulty | Time | Team | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great | | None
| | 11 hours
| 4 people | RFontaine (315 reports) | |
Comment: Looking up canyon from the Patterson Creek bridge, a massive double head wall looms in the distance. A beautiful, irresistible challenge waiting to be descended!
Armed with a few pairs of loppers, bolts, and over 1000’ of rope between us, we set off to carve a path up to the top. The initial approach following a gated penstock road was tame but that ease fleeted as we neared the end of the road and delved into the brush following our pre plotted line on the topo. Hacking and thrashing our way, we carved a tunnel through thick vegetation up and along the ridge to the drainage. Half way up we went too high and got cliffed out. We ended up having to rap 80’ down to a lower bench to continue our ascent. The brush was dense and plenty of poison oak. However, wearing long sleeves and pants, I only sustained a small rash on my forearm. 5.5 hours later our path was carved and we had arrived at the oasis that is Upper Patterson Creek. We cooled off and bathed in the pools before heading to the edge of the headwall. I believe later groups could do this approach in 3hrs now that a path exists. However, it is still prudent to bring loppers to continue cleaning the path to ease future descents. The headwall rappels are glorious. We installed bolted anchors in granite. There are a few hanging rebelays. One of which drops 390’. I suspect this rappel could be broken up with another,(albeit less than ideal) hanging station. The twin headwalls are separated by a huge rock bench. Beautiful views and big drops abide. Needless to say, all rappels are very high angle and down sheer walls. Water flow was a light sprinkly shower. No neo needed. A rain jacket was nice for the 2nd headwall. At the bottom, following the creek down quickly puts you back at the bridge. This first descent took us 11 hours however I am sure future parties could complete in far less time now that it is established. A definite must do for the ambitious and hardy canyoneer. This absolutely blows Lower Patterson out of the water. | |||||||