Rock Creek (Post, South Cascades)
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| | Raps:7-9, max ↨90ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 1mi Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 14 Jun 2025
"No other anchors were found, so possibly a first descent. Nice to finally visit after hiking by this minor trib for years and being curious about it. |
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| Best season: | Spring
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45.7792, -122.0469
45.7736, -122.0416
45.7655, -122.0284
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Introduction[edit]
Another minor tributary of the more well-known Rock Creek. It enters about a half-mile downstream of Rock's technical section. Post Rock is spring-fed, and seems to support low flow well into summer. That said, don't bother with this one if you're looking for water. It's probably best for Portland-area obsessives who feel the need to run every tributary in the Rock Creek drainage. Do not expect greatness or accolades.
- When explored in June 2025, there were signs of a significant landslide or rockfall event. The lower part of the creek is full of loose rocks and many trees along the sides show signs of battle damage. Most of the waterfalls are nice bedrock, however.
- Post Rock is a bit more technical than it's neighbor, Indie Rock to the west.
Directions[edit]
On driving up the hill watch for the place where the PCT crosses. This is the exit. The parking area is 100ft further up the road; a large pullout on the left. Road is rocky in places, but okay for 2WD if driven slowly.
- The best place to check flow is the bridge you cross just before driving up to the lower parking area.
- A Washington State Discovery Pass is NOT required to park here.
- This is also the trailhead for the Upper North Fork of Rock Creek.
Approach[edit]
There are two choices on the approach:
1) If hiking, continue up the road about 0.5mi and, just past a bend in the road, look for the Snag Creek trailhead on the right. (USGS maps do not show the correct location of the trail.) The lower part of the trail is a bit overgrown and was a little tricky to follow as of 2025. It basically heads northeast along the edge of the clearcut and then is easier to find when it enters the forest just above Snag Creek. The trail then follows the ridge northwest.
2) Alternatively, shuttle ~1mi up the road to a turnaround in an old clearcut, and bushwhack your way uphill about 0.1mi (+150ft elevation) to meet the trail.
The trail switchbacks up onto the plateau, gaining about 600ft, before flattening out and becoming easy hiking. Pass a large signboard where you pass from DNR land to National Forest. Small wooden posts also mark the mileage On crossing a not-so-obvious minor drainage, head downstream into Post Rock.
Descent[edit]
Leaving the trail, bushwhack down the (probably dry) drainage to the edge of the plateau and descend steep rocky slopes, losing perhaps 300ft of elevation. Keep going and persist, and, suddenly, the creek appears, emerging right out of the hillside. Springs: 45.7784, -122.0486.
There are numerous sections that can be downclimbed that are not described here. You might find yourself doing more or less rappels based on comfort. Some drops can also be bypassed by bushwhacking around them (if you're into that sort of thing). Watch your step as there's a lot of loose rock in the drainage and signs of landslide activity.
- R1: 80ft two-tier short cascade, then blocky falls below rom a tree DCL.
- R2: 150ft in 2-3 tiers. Likely best done in two stages for a better pull.
- R2a: 50ft from a giant fallen log creek center down to obvious tree DCL (rebelay).
- R2b: 90ft from the tree to the bottom.
- R3: 60ft down a steep blocky ramp from a tree DCL.
- R4: 20ft from tree DCL.
- R5: 55ft from tree DCR.
- R6: 30ft creek center.
- R7: 50ft from a tree DCR down a groove.
- R8: Optional 25ft rappel into Rock Creek.
Exit[edit]
Note that water levels will quadruple or more entering Classic Rock.
Below the last falls it's ~1.7mi downstream to the PCT footbridge. It goes relatively quickly, however, as there's lots of gravel bars and bedrock to hike on. There's almost always an easy way forward. Throw in a couple of short narrows, boulder gardens, and logjam obstacles to keep you busy. Cool off in pools as needed.
There are two features that signal you're nearing the end:
- Big logjam: Bear DCR initially, following the water, then climb up/over/through the logs bearing back DCL.
- Blue-green cliff: It's located on the left just past the big logjam.
Exit the bridge DCL and follow the PCT southwest. There's a short climb out of the drainage, then the route is mostly flat thereafter. Follow the trail about 0.5mi back to your car, going straight at the junction with the Snag Creek trail.
Red tape[edit]
None.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First descended by Kevin Clark and Keith Langenwalter in June 2025.