Parkett Creek

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Parkett Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving
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Parkett Creek Banner.jpg

Difficulty:3C III (v3a4 III)
Raps:‌4-7, max ↨150ft
Metric
Overall:3-5h ⟷0.9mi
Approach: ⟷0.3mi ↓300ft
Descent: ⟷0.4mi ↓400ft
Exit: ⟷792ft ↑300ft
Red Tape:No permit required
Shuttle:Optional 0.8mi
Vehicle:Passenger
Start:
Parking:
Shuttle:
Condition Reports:
28 Sep 2024




"Replaced missing anchor on R1. It appears some well-meaning party is continuing to remove the anchor here from year to year and rappelling DRT or ghos

(log in to submit report)
Weather:
Best season:
Jul-Sept
winterspringsummerfall
DecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Regions:

Introduction

Parkett Creek is located within Willamette National Forest in Linn County, Oregon. It may be short in distance, but it offers jumps, slides, and a terrific big rappel sequence in the flow. Let's just call it what it is: one of the best canyons in Oregon.

  • The nearby Lost Creek typically has less flow, so it may be a good alternative if Parkett is too high for comfort. Parkett Creek can be combined with a descent of Quartzville Creek or Lost Creek for a full day.

Waterflow

The water is unusually cold, so make sure to bring plenty of neoprene. The canyon is likely spring-fed and receives very little direct sunlight in the depths. Water levels can be high even late summer; make sure to check the flow conditions before you attempt the canyon and be prepared to back off. Unfortunately, the reference waterfall can only really be viewed by using a drone. Reference photos (note the area of the boil at the base of this waterfall for comparing flows):

Approach

Lower Parking

From Marion Forks, head south on Hwy 22 for ~3mi before turning off right/west on Straight Creek Road (aka FR 11). Follow FR 11 upwards 1.4mi to a junction and continue straight onto unpaved FR 1168 (Parkett Rd). Follow for ~1mi. If you wish to do the shuttle, drop a vehicle here for your exit. Please be sure to park in a good location, well off the road. GPS can be handy for locating the pullout.

Upper Parking

Continue on up FR 1168 a final 0.8mi to a very large pullout on the right. This area has been used as a staging area for logging operations in the past.

Hiking In

From the upper parking area, hike a few hundred feet or so into the logged clearing and then drop down the hillside to your left wherever is easiest into Buck Creek. There is no established route and and it's thick bushwhacking through the rhodies in places. Drop into the creek as soon as possible and head downstream. The going is a bit of a splash-whack (bushwhacking while wading) at first, but soon clears out for easier walking.

  • Wetsuits are usually put on at the upper parking area or upon reaching Buck Creek.

Technical Notes

CAUTION: PLEASE READ

  • Groups should be familiar with how to rig unlinked bolts. Please do not add webbing to them. Parkett sees massive floods in the winter and early spring. Giant logs may appear and disappear from year to year. Any webbing or fixed lines may present an opportunity to snag flood debris getting washed down the canyon. The relentless force of the water leveraged against the bolts can weaken, damage, or even destroy the anchor.
  • Jumping into deep pools can be tremendous fun, but always send someone down first to check the depth and look for underwater obstacles (ex: underwater ledges, boulders, and impaling logs). Jumping is a leading cause of canyon injuries (i.e. broken ankles and legs). Just because it was a great jump last year is no guarantee that it remains so. Parkett Creek is a really bad place to have an accident.
  • Beginners "leading" beginners is a common cause of canyon accidents.

Descent

DCR = Down Canyon Right; DCL = Down Canyon Left.

  • R1: 20ft from tree DCR. (Or 10ft technical jump into waist-deep pool with small boulders. Not recommended.)
  • J1: 10ft (or bumpy slide). Single bolt DCR can be used for a handline to get out to the edge for a jump, or an anchor in high flow.
  • Downclimb under large old-growth log, or bypass DCL.
  • J2: 15ft from DCR.
  • J3: 10ft from DCR. (Or short bumpy slide.)
  • J4: 3ft.
  • R2: 105ft from tree DCL. Two-stage rappel with a hanging pool between the tiers. Reference photos show the top tier of this falls.
  • R3: 20ft from two unlinked bolts DCL into a hanging pothole. R4 comes immediately.
  • R4: Parkett Falls - 150ft from two unlinked glue-in bolts DCR. This is the signature photo on this page. Please do not add webbing or quick links to the bolts. The bolt station is equipped with glue-ins, so the rope can be safely threaded through the eye of both bolts. See further discussion below regarding rigging this station.
Be aware that whistle communication between the top and bottom of this rappel can be difficult. Agree on hand signals to use prior to descent.
This station can optionally be rigged for a guided rappel utilizing a single bolt at the bottom of the pitch. This, however, is not recommended due to vector forces and redundancy. (It would be better/safer to add a second bolt at the bottom.)
  • R5: 20ft from single glue-in bolt DCR (or downclimb). This anchor can be used as a ground anchor for a guided rappel on R4.

Pass through a short section of narrows with a couple pools. Continue downstream 200ft to the final rappel. You will pass the original exit up the chossy hillside on DCR. Just say no.

  • R6: 20ft from small tree DCR.

Rigging the Big Pitch (R4)

Please do not attach any webbing or extra quick links to the bolts. During the winter, high flows rip through this section of the canyon. Any webbing can act like a net, prone to catch debris getting washed through. The relentless force of the water, leveraged against the bolts can weaken, damage, or destroy the anchor. Even quick links, being thrashed around wildly 24/7, can damage the bolts. Unlinked anchors are common in canyons with more water. Teams running Parkett should know how to rig them.

  • Depending on conditions, it may be a good idea to treat the R4 station as a rebelay. The rope from R3 can be extended and, with sufficient slack, connected to the R4 anchor. This J-loop ensures that no one can accidentally get swept past the R4 station.
  • On an unlinked anchor, blocks are typically situated on the highest and/or furthest downstream bolt. This makes for an easier pull from below. The rappel rope should be threaded from the upper bolt through the lower one, then down the pitch. This means the anchor is redundant, but not equalized for anyone on rappel. (Note: photo below is not from Parkett. It's an example of how to rig the station.)
  • Eight-mule-overhand (EMO) block rigged on an unlinked anchor.
    • Be aware: two teams in 2024 apparently got a rope stuck on this anchor. Use caution whenever you're rigging a figure-8 or carabiner block on a glue-in bolt. When the system is unweighted, it's possible for the block to slip up over the top of the bolt and get stuck (i.e., making the pull impossible). The anchor manager (aka last rappeller) should always evaluate the rigging carefully before departing, asking: "can we pull the rope?" It may be a good idea for the last person to weight the rappel side and ensure the block is in a good orientation/position for the pull. If you suspect the block is very likely to get stuck, swapping out the rigging is always an option (ex: replacing the system with a knot block).

    Exit

    After the final rappel, continue downstream about 300 yards (250m), climbing over/under/around several logjams along the way. Look for an obvious cairn atop a mossy boulder DCR which marks a good place to exit the creek and de-wetsuit. From the cairn, continue downstream on a bench about 50ft or so, then exit up a steep embankment. At the top, continue up a thin ridge through relatively open forest. When thick vegetation starts to bar the way above, break off climber's left, cross a shallow gully, then exit up the the slope on the far side. Continue upwards wherever is easiest until you pop out right on the road. Total distance up from the creek is about 0.15mi with an elevation gain of about 300ft. The route is easy and there is no rockfall hazard. If you didn't leave a shuttle, just walk the road back up to the upper parking area (+0.8mi, 400ft gain).

    • The original exit from Parkett was a class 3-4 bushwhack up the loose hillside directly to the upper parking area. This involves +600ft of elevation gain and has considerable rockfall hazard to anyone below you.

    Red tape

    None.

    Beta sites

    Trip reports and media


    Background

    The first documented descent of this canyon was by Matt Moore (www.deserthighlights.com) in 2007.

    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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