Prindle Creek
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| | Raps:4-5, max ↨130ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 10min Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 25 Jan 2025
"Skipped the shuttle and hiked up from the bottom for some extra exercise. Upper falls was a bit icy with chunks falling off the DCR wall. We were a bi |
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| Best season: | Nov-Mar
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45.5991, -122.1502
45.6108, -122.1285
45.5967, -122.1298
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Introduction[edit]
A small creek that drains a plateau located between Cape Horn and Archer Mountain. The plateau is locally known as the Cruzatt Rim or Prindle Mountain. There are at least five significant waterfalls on the creek. While the big falls are impressive with good water, there is a fairly long approach, making it a somewhat high pay to play. Access to the Cruzatt Rim is difficult as there's a lot of private property in the area.
- Watershed: 0.35mi^2. This is a good spring canyon. Don't bother heading into summer.
- Teams should be comfortable with bushwhacking and backcountry navigation. Trails in the area can be overgrown and faint/difficult to find. The final approach to R1 is a steep descent.
Approach[edit]
From the turnaround at the end of Sneider-Barks Road (end of county road), bushwhack west / northwest about 0.3mi, gaining about 450ft to intersect the little-used Cruzatt Rim trail. Turn right and follow it up a series of switchbacks to an easily-missed junction (45.61148, -122.13830) where the trail reaches the top of the plateau. Turn left here, and follow the rim trail southwest for almost a mile. The trail passes through a couple small groves of old growth cedars (known as the "Enchanted Forest") and one nice viewpoint along the rim. The trail does not see much use and can be overgrown. At 45.60312, -122.14828, break off the trail and bushwhack southwest down the ridge to Prindle Creek, following game trails where you can. Stay on the ridge as much as possible. Don't drop in early as the creek is full of brush. Continue down the ridge a short distance (steep) to the creek just above R1 on your right.
- If you don't have a shuttle, it's also possible to hike the trail up from the bottom. This will add +1.5mi, +900ft elevation.
Descent[edit]
- R0: 30ft. Optional bonus waterfall which is easily missed when descending along the ridge. At the bottom of R0, bushwhack downstream ~300ft to R1.
Prindle Falls is approx. 250ft high and is done in two stages (R2 & R3).
- R1: 120ft from a cairn mid-creek to a large platform mid-falls. Evaluate the flow carefully before committing to this rappel. It may be wiser to use a different anchor in high flow. Also, beware rockfall on this pitch. There's a number of small rocks in the creek just above the drop which can be knocked down by a rappeller or moving rope. Anyone at the bottom should stay well away from the base of the pitch. Rope pull is best from the DCR side of the falls.
- R2: 130ft from a small tree high DCL. This anchor requires a short scramble to reach.
Downclimb the short drop just below R2 (or rappel from a log). It's a short walk to the next falls.
- R3: 110ft into a beautiful amphitheater from a bolt station DCR. Use caution approaching the anchor. (N.B. The rock quality atop this pitch is extremely poor, so inspect the anchor with extra care.) Beware rockfall on this pitch.
- R4: Downclimb to a giant log mid-creek and rappel two short drops. 100ft of rope (SRT) is required per the horizontal distance. The falls can also be bypassed far DCL.
Exit[edit]
At the bottom of the falls, exit DCL and locate the trail that heads off east. It is not marked and can be difficult to find at first. Follow the trail on an old logging grade until it intersects the trail climbing to the Cruzatt Rim. At the powerline, cut directly across and follow a couple small cairns left to pick up the trail again.
Red tape[edit]
Prindle Mountain is largely surrounded by private property. Please respect all postings. Ryan-Tavelli Road looks like the best approach, but it becomes a driveway to a private home atop the cliffs. (The gate at the foot of the hill is so large that you'd probably have a hard time getting in even if you showed up with a bulldozer and dinosaurs.) Many other routes have been tried on Prindle, but this is the best one. With knowledge of the route, an efficient team can run the creek car-to-car (with shuttle) in 4-6hrs.
Be aware: while hikers and photographers have been visiting the base of the falls for years, all the waterfalls on Prindle Creek are on private land. Upon exiting the creek, it's best not linger / overstay your welcome. The exit trail leads quickly back into National Forest land. Do not attempt to go directly down to Hwy 14 as this leads to sadness, locked gates, and private homes.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First complete descent by Portland locals in May 2018.