Valkyrie Creek
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| | Raps:6-8, max ↨180ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 2mi Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 9 May 2025
"We were surprised no one seems to run this creek—it was a great experience and felt unique compared to others in the area. The approach is big but m |
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| Best season: | Mar-Jun
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44.6952, -122.2792
44.6983, -122.2525
44.6898, -122.2585
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Waterflow
Introduction
A worthy early-season destination just above the southwest arm of Detroit Lake. Valkyrie sports good water in the early season, but likely reduces to a trickle heading into summer. Rappelling the falls is great fun, but expect a good bit of walking / bushwhacking along the creek between them. You'll need to crisscross the creek numerous times.
- There are two possible exits: hike out via FR 610 after the big falls, or, if you have a shuttle, continue down the creek to FR 2212.
- The best checkpoint on flow is from the shuttle parking area on FR 2212.
- Watershed: 0.8mi^2.
For questions about access call the Detroit Ranger Station (Willamette National Forest): (503) 854-3366
Approach
From the parking area near the blue gate, hike up the logging roads to the drop-in (~3mi, 1600ft elevation gain).
Descent
- R1: 100ft from thin tree DCR.
- R2: 45ft from tree atop sketchy-looking rootball DCL. (Or bypass DCL.)
- R3: 30ft from tree DCR.
Continue downstream for a ways, eventually exiting the clearcut. There are occasional downclimbs.
- R4: 20ft from tree DCL.
- R5: 15ft drop in two tiers from tree DCL. Creek surges through a narrow slot-like feature here, so use caution in high water.
Continue downstream until the world drops away from under you.
- R6: Valkyrie Falls -- 180ft from tree DCR. Falls is composed of several tiers. Be sure to check out the cave at the bottom.
Not far below the big falls, you'll reach FR 610. This is your first possible exit. Alternately, if you have a shuttle, you can continue downstream.
- R7: 70ft. Anchor DCR.
- R8: 30ft.
After the final drop, it's about 300 yards further downstream to FR 2212.
Exit
There are two possible exits from Valkyrie:
- Option 1: On reaching FR 610 (first road after the big falls), turn left and hike ~1mi back to your car at the blue gate. The road is flat and makes for easy hiking.
- Option 2: If you need more bushwhacking, continue down to FR 2212 just above Detroit Lake. There is a parking area / campsite right next to the creek.
Red tape
Valkyrie is on land owned by Weyerhaeuser Logging. Non-motorized day-use is permitted from 0.5hrs before sunrise to 0.5hrs after sunrise. Unauthorized vehicles are not permitted, even if the gates are open. No camping or fires permitted. Privilege of entry could be revoked at any time, so please take special precautions to help us keep this area open for access.
- FR 2212 is not on Weyerhaeuser land, so one could set up a shuttle and/or camp at the lower exit.
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y70U_cBrf8g
Background
Valkyrie was first documented and named by Tim Burke, Melinda Muckenthaler, and Tony Cannon. The big drop and the falls downstream were visited. Valkyrie was first descended by Karl Helser, Michael Peterson, Haruka James Clay Lipscomb, and Ryan Ernst in May 2022.