Straight Creek
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| | Raps:9-10, max ↨40ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 3 Oct 2023
"I made a YouTube vid for this run and is on the media area of the page. 1st off, the approach is LONG! A very long walk with a lot of elevation. The r |
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| Best season: | May-July
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46.2449, -121.8359
46.2299, -121.8285
46.2366, -121.8419
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Introduction[edit]
Another beginner-friendly creek in the Lewis River area. While the rappels aren't high ones, it's fairly action-packed with some very nice sections of bedrock for walking. It's also notable for several caves along the way. Best visited in June or July for decent water.
- USGS maps are not entirely accurate in this area.
- Reportedly the major rockslide that was blocking the road has been repaired as of 2023. It is probably much easier now to shuttle this creek.
- Straight and Thimble Creek would make a nice double-feature up here, run back to back.
Approach[edit]
Shuttle (or hike) up FR 9341 to the old landslide site that was repaired in 2023 to allow a fire crew access. From here, follow FR 9341 up around the ridge, before diverging onto an old logging road that winds back around in the direction of Straight Creek. Just before the end of the road, break off and head downslope to the northwest.
Avoid the clear cuts. The forest is relatively open and it's relatively easy to hike, with one steep section along the way. Continue down, trending northwest for 0.6mi to drop into the creek just above 3400' elevation.
Descent[edit]
There are a number of short drops along the way that might be downclimbed or rappelled.
- R1: 30ft from big log DCR. Falls is undercut with an interesting cave-like space beneath. It's bigger than it looks from above.
- R2: 15ft into a pothole DCL.
- R3: 25ft from a huge log.
- R4: Twin falls. 20ft from tree DCL.
- R5: 10ft.
- R6: Two tier drop rappelled from a fallen tree over the creek. 40ft, although more rope may be needed per the horizontal distance. Alternatively, this can be broken into two rappels.
- R7: 20ft.
- R8: 15ft.
- R9: 15ft.
Climb over several log jams.
- R10: Creek plunges into a short narrows jammed with logs. Climb down over the logs to rappel (20ft) from rock cairn DCR. Be sure to check out the cave DCR at the bottom of the falls.
Not far below R10, you'll reach a culvert where the creek flows under the road. Option to exit here, or continue downstream a short distance to:
- R11: 30ft.
At the bottom, eventually reach the confluence with Thimble Creek. Bear right and bushwhack up the ridge between the two creeks to the campsite and road beyond.
Exit[edit]
At the culvert, exit up the obvious gully DCL to the road.
Red tape[edit]
None.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
https://karl-helser.com/straight-creek-canyoneer-8-7-21/
This canyon looks different from the above posted pics by Karl, many of the huge logs have been moved.
Background[edit]
First descended by Kevin Clark, Karl Helser, and Deb Hill in August 2021.