Munra Creek

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Munra Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving
Rating:
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Munra Creek Banner.jpg

Difficulty:3C II (v4a2 II)
Raps:‌7, max ↨150ft
Metric
Overall:4-6h ⟷2.8mi
Approach: ⟷2mi ↑1000ft
Descent: ⟷0.5mi
Exit: ⟷0.3mi
Red Tape:No permit required
Shuttle:Optional 2min
Vehicle:Passenger
Start:
Parking:
Shuttle:
Condition Reports:
15 Feb 2025




"Munra Creek on the Rocks... or, more accurately, on the ice! Dropped in right above R1 and descended from there. Plenty of thermal insulation, microsp

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Weather:
Best season:
Mar-June
winterspringsummerfall
DecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Regions:

Introduction

Be aware: Munra Creek was overrun by the Eagle Creek wildfire in Sept 2017. It is not what it was (post-fire, it's really a 2.5-3 star creek), and has become largely overgrown with brush/briars so it's best run in the winter/early spring. Please use caution when descending the creek. Between landslides, fallen trees, and loose rocks, this area may be unstable and dangerous for years to come.

Munra Creek is a lesser tributary of Tanner Creek and sports some seven rappels, three of them being over 100ft high. With a small, relatively low elevation watershed (0.7mi^2), it's a good choice early in the season. Waterflow is best in the spring and reduces substantially heading into summer.

Best Practices

Prior to the Eagle Creek fire, Munra Creek was seeing increased visitation and signs of abuse. Please use anchors in or adjacent to the watercourse as much as possible. Climbing to trees higher on the sides is attractive, but risks trampling vegetation and eroding the banks. Riparian environments in the Pacific NW are extremely fragile. Munra has been the site of several rescues in the past. Don't be one of them.

  • Teaching people to rappel for the first time in an aquatic canyon is not a good plan. It's much safer to become fully proficient with rappel devices outside the canyon in a safe dry environment.
  • Wrapping the rope around trees for a two strand rappel is efficient, but is not good for the tree when you go to pull your rope. Friction damage around the back of the tree cuts into the bark. Done too many times by too many people and the tree will become girdled and eventually die. It's often kinder to the tree to set an anchor (or use a retrievable system).
  • Beginners "leading" beginners is a common cause of accidents in canyoneering. Enthusiasm is not a substitute for training by a qualified instructor.

Approach

Parking / Shuttle

From I-84, take exit 40. South of the highway, the road splits: the right fork leading to the Wahclella Falls Trailhead, and left up and over the hill to the Tooth Rock Trailhead. You can park at either one. Canyon groups will usually hike (or shuttle) between the two. The bike trail alongside I-84 is less strenuous than hiking up and over the hill.

  • WARNING: This area is extremely popular and high risk for car break-ins. Do not leave anything valuable (or anything that looks valuable - ex: packs, bags, purses, etc.) visible in your car. Parking at the Tooth Rock Trailhead is likely a little safer, but it's still best to leave nothing of value in your car.

Hike

From the Tooth Rock Trailhead, walk back up the hill to the water tower where you'll find Forest Road 777 (gated). Follow FR 777 for ~2mi to a sharp right bend where it crosses Munra Creek. This was the old trailhead for Tanner Butte (#401).

  • Since the fire, some teams are dropping directly off the road to the top of R1.

Descent

The hiking between rappels is still brushy post-fire. If everyone visiting brings some clippers & does a little tending, hopefully the route will slowly improve over time.

  • R1: 110ft via dead, but sturdy tree DCR. Beware the large, yet mobile, old-growth log in the center of the creek. Watch for rockfall.
  • R2: 130ft from tree DCL. Beware rockfalll. Once at the bottom, stay well back from the base of the pitch.
  • R3: 70ft from a snag DCL about 30ft back from the edge.
  • R4: 30ft from a log. Climb down across the logjam mess at the bottom, and scoot your way down the big old-growth log.
  • R5: 50ft from log DCR. Beware getting snagged on the rootball at the bottom of the falls.
  • R6: 80ft from a dead snag DCR. This drop is a good candidate for bolting. Two-tier drop with a pocket in the middle, channeling flow. It's possible stem over the pocket with some fancy footwork.
  • R7: Munra Falls: 130ft from a tree set well back DCR. Beware throwing your rope or rope bag down the pitch. The Wahclella Falls trail crosses the creek on a bridge right at the bottom and throwing ropes may endanger hikers. Also beware knocking down rocks. You will likely have an audience while rappelling.

Exit

Follow the trail downstream/north to the Wahclella Falls Trailhead.

Red tape

A NW Forest Pass is required to park at the Wahclella Falls but not at the Tooth Rock Trailhead as of Dec 2023.

Wahchella Falls is a major tourist draw in the Columbia Gorge. Most weekends you will find the trail crowded with visitors. Be aware that canyoning is less well-known in this area, and, sometimes, hikers may react inappropriately to canyoning activities, leading to degraded relations with land managers. Do your best to make a good impression.

Beta sites

Trip reports and media

Background

Munra has been descended at least once in the dead of winter when it was entirely frozen. Bring your crampons.

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).

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