Cussed Hollow

Cussed Hollow Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 3.6 (30 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C1 III (v3a4 III) Swift water Raps:‌6, max ↨70ft Metric Overall: 5-7.5h  ⟷2.8mi Approach: 1.5-2h  ⟷1.3mi  ↑1030ft Descent: 3-5h  ⟷1.1mi  ↓785ft Exit: 15min  ⟷0.4mi  ↑110ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger
Start:	46.1597, -121.9038
Parking:	46.1452, -121.8954
Condition Reports:	25 Aug 2024 "There was a bit of cussing in Cussed Hollow. This one was a higher pay to play than out team anticipated. The hike in is a solid work out and no jok
Weather:
Best season:	Jul-Sept winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Pacific Northwest  Washington South Cascades Lewis River (Washington)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qMI7JuE2k,https://youtu.be/51XmZ5dPCaY

46.1597, -121.903846.1452, -121.8954https://ropewiki.com/images/e/ef/Cussed_Hollow.kmltopo

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Reference photos

26 Sep 2016: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3).

10 Aug 2019: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

26 May 2018: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+).

12 May 2019: High. High water, only for experienced swift water canyoneers (class C2 = a5).

20 May 2023: Extreme. Extremely dangerous high water, may be unsafe even for experts (class C4 = a7). Don’t go at this flow

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

A somewhat high pay-to-play canyon per a long steep approach and a long exit, but your payoff includes a gorgeous narrows, nice rappels, few swims, jumps, and slides go a long way towards making up for it. It would get run all the time if the access was easier.

• Watershed: 5.12mi^2.

Approach

Follow the Lewis River trail west about 0.3mi to a bridge crossing Cussed Creek. Turn right at the junction on the far side and follow the trail upwards (steep!) for ~0.9mi to about ~2400' elevation (approx. 46.15262, -121.90974). Break off the trail here and traverse/bushwhack north at about the same elevation for ~0.5mi to a tributary creek. This trib has steep sides in places, but there's an easy game trail crossing it at about 46.15974, -121.90920. On the far side, bushwhack up to gain the ridge and follow it east and downwards until you can drop into a small dell on the north side. Follow the dell east until you reach Cussed Creek. (Total distance from the trib: ~0.25mi.) The technical section starts just downstream. Total distance: ~2.4mi one-way.

• One can also thrash in via the east side, but it's equally steep and long. The upside to the west approach is being able to gauge the flow while you’re walking and a trail for a decent stretch of the way.

Descent

Be sure to depth check all slides and jumps. Just because it was a great jump last year...

• R1/J1: Single bolt DCL. Two stage: 20' rap followed by horizonal pool, then 5' shallow-entry jump into shallow pool
• R2: Single bolt DCR. Two stage: 15' rap then 12’. Second tier possible shallow jump.
• J2: 8-10ft quasi-technical jump (small landing area) into a deep pool. (Or rappel from bolt DCR.)
• S2: The Corkscrew - 10’ curved slide into deep pool. (Possible shallow jump DCR of the chute.)
• R3/J3: 45' rap from single bolt DCR, or 10’ rap to ledge then 30’ shallow-entry jump into 10-12’ deep pool. There is a large log in the pool as of 2024.
• J4: 10ft.

0.25 mile very pleasant, grippy creek walk with a few log jams and minor obstacles.

• A few DCs and a 5' jump
• R4: 15ft blocky rappel from single (easy to miss, located high and ten feet back from edge) bolt DCR.
• R5: 70'. Sharp edges present; creeping the rope is recommended.
  • High water: dry line 60' from tree DCR.
  • Low water: anchor on large log DCL into the Monsoon Room.

0.25 mile pleasant, grippy creek walk through boulder garden. Several log jams and lots of climbing around or over boulders. Some very nice sections of bedrock below.

• R6: 30' from log DCL.

Short creek walk to the bridge you hiked in on. Easy access DCR to the bridge.

Exit

Follow the trail 0.3 miles back to your car.

Red tape

Starting in 2021: between June 15 and Sept 30, a reservation permit is required to park along a 14mi stretch of FR 90. Parking in this area is limited to one of six different recreational sites with a limited number of permits issued for each day. Reservation Permits are available from recreation.gov.

• Map of the restricted parking area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd910851.pdf
• The best parking area for Cussed Hollow is Crab Creek. (Parking at the Lower Falls will also require a NW Forest Pass.)

Trip reports and media

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qMI7JuE2k

Low water flow 2023 https://youtu.be/51XmZ5dPCaY