Rock Creek (Upper North Fork, South Cascades)

Rock Creek (Upper North Fork, South Cascades) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Upper North Fork Rock Creek; Upper North Fork Snag Creek.

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 3.4 (3 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C1 II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌4-7, max ↨50ft Metric Overall:  ⟷3mi No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger
Location:	45.7789, -122.0173
Condition Reports:	23 Jan 2021 "Flow was surprisingly low for mid-winter, but much fun was had. N.F. Rock seems to be a good one in the early season with a nice south facing drainag
Weather:
Best season:	Dec-Apr winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Pacific Northwest  United States Washington South Cascades

https://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall/North-Fork-Rock-Creek-Falls-5120

45.7789, -122.0173https://ropewiki.com/images/4/4c/Rock_Creek_%28Upper_North_Fork%2C_South_Cascades%29.kmltopo

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Reference photos

4 Jul 2016: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Nice to explore a new drainage, but would be more fun with more water.

4 Jun 2017: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3).

13 May 2017: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+). A lot more water than our previous visit. Still lots of snow higher up in the drainage. Water = very cold!

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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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

The upper northern fork of the more famous Rock Creek. This fork drains the southern slopes of Mowich Butte. With a smaller watershed, this fork sports lower flow and is open for business much earlier in the season; you can often run it far earlier than other creeks in the vicinity. It may not be worth your time after April or so.

The Upper North Fork of Rock Creek sports three tributaries which all have waterfalls. The best bit, however, is the main line below the confluence. These falls are often visited by waterfall photographers, so please use natural-colored webbing (or black) for anchors.

• Watershed: 0.9mi^2.

Approach

Google Terrain maps shows the "Sunset-Hemlock Rd" (FR 41) running along the ridgecrest - but this road has been closed and pretty much obliterated by Washington State DNR. Getting a car in there is not possible, making the PCT the only viable approach to this creek.

Directions

From the Bridge of the Gods, turn right on Hwy 14 and continue 1.5mi east to turn off left/north towards Skamania Lodge on Rock Creek Dr. Turn left again in 0.3mi onto SW Foster Creek Rd. Continue 0.4mi and continue straight onto SW Ryan Allen Rd for another 0.5mi before turning left again onto Red Bluff Rd (becomes gravel). Follow Red Bluff Rd for 5.7mi to a bridge across Rock Creek. (Steep Creek Falls is just upstream / left of the bridge.) Continue west on Red Bluff Rd for 1.5mi to a junction where the main road swings left to cross a bridge over Rock Creek. Continue up the main road for another 0.8mi and turn right at an unsigned junction (Jct 1380). Follow this unnamed road for 0.5mi. On heading up the hill, watch for the crossing of the PCT and continue 200ft to a large pullout with room for several vehicles on the left. Roads are rocky but 2WD okay if driven carefully.

Hike In

Follow the PCT north about 1.75mi. At this point, the trail crosses the western tributary just above R3. Continue on up the switchbacks another 0.25mi and enter the western tributary higher up.

Descent

West Tributary

Leave the PCT at a switchback at ~2350' elevation. Head west and drop down into the tributary (2min). This tributary seems to sport pretty low water.

• R1: 50ft. Two stage. Beware pendulum swing potential.
• R2: 12ft drop into mini-narrows. Pass through 20ft long corridor to another 20ft falls. Anchor on tree DCL, need 100ft of rope SRT per the horizontal distance.

Head down a moderately overgrown stream about 2min to reach the PCT. R3 is immediately below the trail.

• R3: 25ft.

Head downstream wherever is easiest to reach the main fork, and head downstream.

Upper North Fork

• R4: 25ft. Can be bypassed DCR.
• R5: 30ft photogenic falls.

About 5-10min downstream, encounter a low-angle ramp into a chest-deep pool. Easily downclimbed.

• R6: 20ft. Possible swimmer in high water.
• R7: 35ft. Watch for sharp edges on the lip.

Exit

Continue downstream ~5min to the confluence with the Lower North Fork. Just before the confluence, watch for a game trail DCR that's an easy means of access up onto a spur ridge west of the creek. Atop the ridge, go directly up to reach the PCT. Once back on the trail, hike south ~1mi back to the trailhead.

Red tape

None.

Trip reports and media

Northwest Waterfall Survey

Background

Creek was first descended by Kevin Clark and Kaitlin Rupert in July 2016.

The center and eastern tributaries on the Upper North Fork have been explored. Both of these options are probably not worth your time, however.

Credits

Rock Creek (Upper North Fork, South Cascades)

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

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