Galena Creek
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| | Difficulty:4B I (v4a2 II) Raps:1-5, max ↨115ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 4 Jan 2025
"An amazing winter canyon! Roadside, low elevation, easy approach/exit and with two big, fun waterfalls with great flow and rebelays giving fantastic l |
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| Best season: | Apr-Jul
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46.4046, -121.8251
46.4045, -121.8226
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Introduction
A roadside attraction with rapid fire rappels and a bit of technicality.
Approach
The approach starts on river left (RL) directly up the embankment where the road meets the creek. Head up the very steep hillside until you reach the rock outcrop. Climb over or around the rock outcrop and start heading down to the creek on the upstream side.
Alternatively, you can start right from the road for a 0 minute approach!
Descent
Rappel 1: 5m rappel from tree on river right (RR).
Rappel 2: Two pitches. 1st pitch is from a tree on RL, approx 10m. This pitch crosses the flow to RR, where you'll find the 2nd pitch. Pitch 2 is from a tree on RR. The stance is on a comfortable ledge that can hold 3-4 people. The length is approximately 30m.
Rappel 3: Rappel 3 is also two pitches. After you pop out of the upper gorge and onto the road, go to the obvious small tree on RR. It is recommended to use temporary rigging on this small 5m rappel, since local yahoos will still any permanent rigging. Pitch 2 is from an inline chain anchor on the concrete retaining wall. In higher flow, be wary of the concentrated flow coming out of the pipe. Approximate height is 40m.
Rappel 4: Once again, two pitches! Climb up to the large tree on RR for Pitch 1. Descend approx 20m until you reach two ring anchors on the RR wall. Pitch 2 is approx 20m with an interesting log to navigate.
Rappel 5: 10m off a tree directly in the watercourse.
Exit
After Rappel 5, you can exit up the steep embankment on RL. If you veer closer to the canyon as you get closer to the top, you'll pop out right at your car!
Red tape
None
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
Photos from January 2025 descent - https://www.facebook.com/groups/pnwcanyoning/permalink/10162378918505789
Background
First descended by Mike Peterson, Haruka Lipscomb, and Andrew Humphreys in May 2024. We went up the creek as high as 3200ft to check out the top waterfalls. This is absolutely not worth it, since there are a ton of downed trees in the canyon.
