Fivemile Creek

Fivemile Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C I (v2a4 I) Swift water Raps:‌2, max ↨25ft Metric Overall: 1h Approach: 5min Exit: 5min No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger
Location:	45.6484, -121.1155
Condition Reports:
Weather:
Best season:	Feb-Apr winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Pacific Northwest  Oregon Washington Columbia River Gorge  Washington Side

http://parks.state.wa.us/489/Columbia-Hills

45.6484, -121.1155https://ropewiki.com/images/1/17/Fivemile_Creek.kmltopo

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Reference photos

30 Mar 2014: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). R1 on Fivemile.

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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

Not a serious objective, but a very short mini-canyon close to Horsethief Butte. Creek likely can pack a punch during the spring run-off, but flow diminishes substantially heading into summer and eventually dries up. Nice location for a little practice - particularly in combination with Eightmile Creek down the road.

Creek is located close to Horsethief Butte - a popular area to train for rock climbing (and rappelling).

Approach

Take I-84 to exit 87 at The Dalles. Turn left off the exit and cross the bridge north over the Columbia River. Head north about 3.5mi to a T-jct and turn right onto Hwy 14. Follow Hwy 14 for 1.9mi to a large unsigned pullout on the south side of the highway. There is room for several vehicles.

From the pullout walk carefully east along the shoulder of Hwy 14 for about 0.1mi. On the far east side, look down to note the culvert where Fivemile Creek passes underneath Hwy 14 and empties into a concrete flume which channels the creek south for a hundred feet or so before dumping into a small hidden canyon. Downclimb a loose rocky slope DCL of the flume and follow a small path to the top of R1. (Dropping directly into the flume looks fun, but might be slippery / dangerous with any flow.)

Descent

R1 comes immediately at the south end of the flume.

• R1: 25ft down a rocky chute into a punchbowl. May be a swimmer / possible hydraulic in higher water. Anchored off small bush DCL. Can downclimb the chute directly if dry.
• R2: 12ft. Anchored from a rock horn DCL. Can be bypassed DCR.

Exit

At the bottom, continue down the drainage, avoiding a large thicket of poison oak, to reach the bottom of the local valley. Exit the drainage DCR and gradually head westward on a rising traverse. Make your way upwards wherever is easiest to return to your car. Beware loose rock as the slope is somewhat steep in places.

Red tape

None.

Trip reports and media

Columbia Hills State Park