Conditions:Rock Creek (South Cascades)-20170724161301

Latest:	22 Jul 2017 (7 yrs, 10 mos ago)

Reported by:	K arc (376 reports)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:	Moderate Low
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	9 hours

Team: 2 people

Trip report URL:

Comments: Dropped in via the "Alt-Rock tributary". Will have to add beta as the approach is different, but encountered a previously unknown (to us) 250ft high multi-tier giant skateboard ramp falls. Alt-Rock enters the main fork of Rock Creek between R3 and R4, so we hit the best part of the main Rock Creek. Flow on main Rock is great currently -- fun to rappel all the falls. Needed to be a little careful in places where the flow chutes up, but not that bad. This would be a Grade-A creek were it not for the long approach and, seemingly, even longer exit. Recommend being prepared for a long day out. Our time is likely a little longer than the norm per exploratory approach (first descent?) on Alt-Rock.

We found a giant seven-point elk antler at the bottom of Kala-Kala Falls.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
19 May 2024	Great	Moderate High	Drysuit	Normal	6 hours	4 people Advanced	Treyshoe (33 reports)
Comment: Great day descending Rock Creek from Alt Rock. That means we skipped the first three rappels. Water was moderate-high so we stayed adjacent/on the edge of the flow. This led to fun rappels with some impressive close interactions with the main flow (like tucking under the horsetail on R7). The exit is a dream for a 2 mile creek walk with lots of bed rock and gravel bars, plus a few fun deep spots to cool off in.
28 Jul 2019	Great	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit		8 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	K arc (376 reports)
Comment: Descended Alt-Rock. Very low water on Alt-Rock, moderate-low on main stem.
4 Jul 2019	Great	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Easy	8 hours	3 people Beginner to Intermediate	Sbrown (17 reports)
Comment: What can I say, the falls and geology of this canyon are amazing. Such a diverse range of rock - it really is beautiful. The approach and exit take away from it significantly. Some REALLY steep stretches of the ATV trail on the hike in and then the miles of river walking is less than awesome. Doubt I will run this again, but it was a good experience.
16 Jun 2019	Good		Thin wetsuit	Normal		2 people	K arc (376 reports)
Comment: First descent of Indie-Rock. Won't be one of the all-time greats, but an entertaining day out with a surprising amount of bedrock ramps that go on and on. Indie-Falls and adjacent spire was pretty cool. Anchored high up on the right to run the flow. Beginner-friendly. Long walk out on Rock Creek.
22 Jul 2017	Good	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	9 hours	2 people	K arc (376 reports)
Comment: Dropped in via the "Alt-Rock tributary". Will have to add beta as the approach is different, but encountered a previously unknown (to us) 250ft high multi-tier giant skateboard ramp falls. Alt-Rock enters the main fork of Rock Creek between R3 and R4, so we hit the best part of the main Rock Creek. Flow on main Rock is great currently -- fun to rappel all the falls. Needed to be a little careful in places where the flow chutes up, but not that bad. This would be a Grade-A creek were it not for the long approach and, seemingly, even longer exit. Recommend being prepared for a long day out. Our time is likely a little longer than the norm per exploratory approach (first descent?) on Alt-Rock. We found a giant seven-point elk antler at the bottom of Kala-Kala Falls.
22 Aug 2015	Good	Low	Rain jacket	Normal	10 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	K arc (376 reports)
Comment: Beautiful creek -- feels more like a California creek than the Pacific NW.