One and a Half Mile Creek

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One and a Half Mile Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving
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Difficulty:‌3C III (v3a4 III)
Raps:‌4-5, max ↨150ft
Metric
Overall:8-9h ⟷1.9mi
Approach: ⟷0.5mi ↑10ft
Descent: ⟷1.3mi ↓600ft
Exit: ⟷792ft ↑175ft
Red Tape:‌No permit required
Shuttle:‌Optional 1.2mi
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Parking:
Shuttle:
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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[edit]

One and a Half Mile Creek is a tributary of the Big Quilcene River on the eastern slope of the Olympic Peninsula. This tributary is an alternate way to enter the Big Quilcene gorge and offers an interesting hike with a nice series of waterfalls and pools.

  • Make sure the Big Quilcene River is running at a comfortable level before attempting this route. Have your flotation dialed.
  • The checkpoint is to hike down the trail to the Big Quilcene from the Rainbow Campground to check the flow.

Approach[edit]

From Highway 101 going south from Quilcene, take a right on Rocky Brook Road (FR 2620). The road leads SW uphill and crosses One and a Half Mile Creek at approx. 2 miles. There are several options for accessing this creek. One is to hike down an abandoned logging road that starts approx. 3/4 of a mile up Rocky Brook Road. The other options are to start your descent where the road crosses One and a Half Mile Creek or the unnamed tributary just before One and a Half Mile Creek on Rocky Brook Road.

The advantages of taking the abandoned logging road are that you will be about a mile closer to your car when you exit the Big Quilcene at Rainbow Campground. The logging road will take a sharp eye to identify as it veers off to the right from Rocky Creek Road. The hike down the logging road is level all the way to One and a Half Mile Creek. However it does require some bushwhacking as nature is working fast to reclaim this road.

Descent[edit]

One and a Half Mile Creek[edit]

From where the old logging road crosses One and a Half Mile Creek, head downstream several hundred yards to R1.

  • Slide into a pool.
  • 20ft with corkscrew turn to the left.
  • 40ft into a pool. Anchor on fallen log.
  • 140ft from boulder near edge into a deep pool.

Several smaller waterfalls that can be downclimbed follow in the next 0.15mi. One and a Half Mile Creek eventually spills into the Big Quilcene.

See Big Quilcene River for a continuation of the beta.

Exit[edit]

Follow the Big Quilcene downstream about a mile and locate the trail that leads up to the Rainbow Campground. The trail can be easy to miss. If you didn't stash a shuttle car here, hike back up Rocky Brook Road to your vehicle.

Red tape[edit]

Unknown if one can park for day use only at the Rainbow Campground. If not, possibly one can park outside the gate along the shoulder of Hwy 101.

Beta sites[edit]

Trip reports and media[edit]

Background[edit]

Incidents

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. KML map 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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