Diamond Creek

Diamond Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌4, max ↨200ft Metric Overall: 3-4.5h  ⟷1.8mi Approach: 30-45min  ⟷0.8mi  ↑500ft Descent: 2-3h  ⟷0.5mi Exit: 30-45min  ⟷0.5mi  ↑500ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance Rock type:Basalt
Location:	45.6045, -123.8076
Condition Reports:	8 Sep 2021 "Frank Crane road was closed, lots of "no trespassing" signs. Had to go the long way around to get there, via Crystal Creek road. Took an hour of dirt
Weather:
Best season:	Winter - after rains winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Pacific Northwest  United States Oregon Coast Range

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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

Upper falls is a larger Coastal Range drop with a nice ocean view at the R2 station.

• Watershed: 0.08mi^2. Probably best run in the winter after there's been a good rain.

Approach

The most direct approach to Diamond Creek appears to be via Miami Creek Road (aka Frank Crane Rd), although this appears to be gated out at the Miami-Foley Rd.

Because of a lot of logging road driving into and out of the Miami River drainage, this is a minimum of 3 hour drive from Portland. The road up to the parking on upper Diamond Creek is not great at the best of times. Park at 45.609698°, -123.807365° at a pulloff on either side of the road. Walk uphill on the road until it parallels the creek (you can see it from the road). Drop the minimal elevation down to the creek and walk it downstream ~1100' to R1.

Descent

R1: 50', anchor is a tree DCL. Descend the drop into a crack and traverse the crack. Hug DCL and go over a small ledge to a landing just out of the flow DCL. The pull could be iffy but we had no issues.

R1 just upstream of the landing and downstream of the crack entrance

R2: 200', anchor is a new bolt DCL. A 200' rope was just short but it's a safe and easy downclimb from the end of the rap.

from the base of R2

Exit creek DCR and parallel it just above. Drop back in when feasible and close to the top of R3.

R3: 40', anchor is a tree DCL.

From the base of R3

R4: 60', anchor is a slung rock DCR.

from the base of R4

Exit

After R4, walk down creek until it turns N. Exit up the hill DCR and continue until you hit the grade (about 700'). Follow the grade to the right. It does a 180 and leads straight back to the parking.

Red tape

None.