Stafford Creek

Stafford Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 3.6 (44 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C1 II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌7-10, max ↨130ft Metric Overall: 2-5h  ⟷0.8mi Approach: 0min  ↑0ft Descent: 2-5h Exit: 10min  ↑20ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌Optional 3.4mi Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Basalt
Location:	45.6306, -123.4143
Shuttle:	45.6177, -123.4213
Condition Reports:	16 Apr 2025 "The royal approach is worthy of its name. Water levels coming down quickly - solid flow but nothing spicy.
Weather:
Best season:	Apr - July;BEST in May - Jun winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Pacific Northwest  United States Oregon Coast Range

http://karl-helser.com/stafford-creek-canyoneer-5-28-16,http://karl-helser.com/stafford-creek-canyoneer-3-18-17,https://youtu.be/WeR4QbG1NvM

45.6306, -123.414345.6177, -123.4213https://ropewiki.com/images/b/bf/Stafford_Creek.kmltopo

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Reference photos

2 Jul 2016: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Picture by Karl Helser

28 May 2016: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Picture by Karl Helser

18 Jun 2016: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Picture by Karl Helser

25 Jun 2017: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

23 Jun 2021: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Moderate low not difficult but still fun

9 Jun 2017: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4).

12 May 2019: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4).

21 May 2017: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+).

24 Apr 2017: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6).

18 Mar 2017: Extreme. Extremely dangerous high water, may be unsafe even for experts (class C4 = a7). Picture by Luca Chiarabini

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

(log in to submit reference picture)

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

This short, fun canyon is one of the best in the Oregon coastal range. Visit in the early season to see it with good flow. Being largely south-facing, it's lovely on a warm spring day. Stafford usually becomes beginner-friendly by May-June. Late in the summer, the flow likely reduces to a trickle. A great early season creek for training and practice.

• Watershed: 1.25mi^2.

Best Practices

Stafford has been seeing increased visitation and is showing signs of abuse. Please use anchors in or adjacent to the watercourse. Climbing to trees higher up on the sides is attractive, but risks trampling vegetation and eroding the banks. Riparian environments in the Pacific NW are extremely fragile.

• Teaching people to rappel for the first time in an aquatic canyon is not a good plan. It's much safer to become fully proficient with rappel devices in a dry, controlled environment outside the canyon.

• Wrapping the rope around trees for a two strand rappel is efficient, but isn't good for the tree when you go to pull your rope. Friction damage around the back of the tree cuts into the bark. Done too many times by too many people and the tree will become girdled and eventually die. It's kinder to the tree to set an anchor or use a retrievable system.

• Two strand rappelling (as is done in alpine climbing) can be dangerous in aquatic canyons for a number of reasons. There is no easy way to lower a rappeller who becomes stuck on the rope in the middle of the pitch (ex: jammed descender). Getting stuck under a high-flow waterfall can be a life-threatening situation.

• Beginners "leading" beginners is a common cause of accidents in canyoneering.

Approach

From Portland, take Hwy 6 and turn onto Larch Mountain / Drift Creek Road. Drive downhill, cross the bridge, and stay left at the junction to reach a large parking area. From here, either shuttle or hike 3.8 miles uphill to the top. The descent begins via the eastern tributary of Stafford.

⚠️ Warning: There has been at least one reported car break-in at the lower parking area. Do not leave anything valuable—or anything that looks like it might be valuable (e.g., bags, purses, rope bags)—in plain sight. Store gear in the trunk and keep your vehicle looking empty. To reduce risk, consider parking at a pullout along Hwy 6 instead.

At the upper lot, look for the large metal culvert under the road. A use trail drops into the drainage here. Stay on the north (DCR) side of the creek to bypass a minor logjam, then drop in just below it. R1 is a short walk downstream.

Royal Shortcut (Direct to R4)

This is the fastest route to the canyon's highlights. Park at the large grassy pullout marked on the map—there’s room for several vehicles. An elk trail leads down toward the creek. While the trail reaches the water, it’s not the most direct way to R4.

No Shuttle Approach

If you don't have a shuttle, you can park at 45.624194, -123.418314. Follow the old logging road southeast from there to the fork, then follow it east and northeast into the creek. You'll drop in a bit upstream of R4 and the best part of the canyon.

When you've finished, walk back up the road about 0.9mi past the bridge and then cut in at the old logging road/trail at 45.624433, -123.421808. It's a well-traveled trail, and leads back to the intersection (i.e., where you turned east after heading southeast from your car). While tempting, please DO NOT use the mountain bike trails. The Forest Service and bikers do not want hikers on these trails. It can be quite dangerous if bikes are coming down at speed.

Descent

Most of the anchors are intended for low flow on the creek. Evaluate carefully whether to use them when flow is high. Stafford can seriously rip during flood events.

East Tributary

• R1: 75ft of rope from tree DCR. A short walk below, and you'll enter the main creek and the flow will double or more.

Stafford Creek

• R2: 15ft. Human anchor in one of the pools. Drop can be bypassed DCR.
• R3: 45ft of rope from root ball DCR.
  • High flow: Use a tree high DCL.

There's a bit of a creek walk before the next rappel.

• R4: 45ft from fallen log DCR.
  • High flow: Use a tree further DCR to stay out of the torrent.

• R5: Pete's Pothole. 45ft of rope from bolts DCR. The falls goes into a chute with a couple small potholes. The last pothole is small, but very deep (~7ft).
  • High flow: The potholes could be dangerous in high flow. Use a tree DCL to stay out of the water.

• R6: 70ft of rope from bolts on giant boulder DCL. There is a lower 6ft second tier which is extremely awkward per being undercut. The lower tier can be bypassed carefully DCL while staying on rappel.
• R7: 60ft of rope from bolts mid-creek.
• R8: 30ft of rope. Single bolt DCR near the lip.
  • High flow: bypass or rappel from tree DCR.

• R9: Stafford Falls. Rappel from a tree DCL which is set well back from the edge. This anchor requires about 130ft of rope.
  • High water: climb up (slightly exposed) to a tree high DCR for a 107ft rappel out of the water. (Both ends of a 65m rope just touch the water.)

• R10: Twin falls 50ft from bolts DCL and DCR. (Dippers often nest underneath the DCL falls in the spring.)
  • High water: rappel from a tree far DCL.

Exit

Continue down the creek to the Devil's Fork of the Wilson River. Usually, it's possible to wade/swim across and scramble up a short trail to the highway. Hike back along the shoulder of OR-6 to your car (~5min).

• If the river's running high, it's possible to bushwhack west from the top or bottom of R9.

Red tape

None.

Trip reports and media

• Karl Helser's NW Adventures  : Stafford Creek Canyoneer 5-28-16
• Karl Helser's NW Adventures  : Stafford Creek Canyoneer 3-18-17

https://youtu.be/WeR4QbG1NvM Feb 2025

Background

Creek was first run by Keith Campbell and Karl Helser on 5/28/16.

Credits

Stafford Creek

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).