Wonder Creek (Lancaster Falls)
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| | Raps:3, max ↨210ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Basalt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 22 Feb 2025
"Wonder Creek seems like a good outing for a winters day. Upper Lancaster Falls at 200ft is the big highlight and getting into the water. Low lights: |
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| Best season: | Nov-April
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45.6838, -121.7063
45.6883, -121.6903
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Introduction
Wonder Creek is part of the Starvation Creek complex of waterfalls near the trailhead for Mt. Defiance.
- Watershed: 0.2mi^2. (This may not be terribly relevant as the creek is largely spring-fed and starts about 150ft upslope from R1.)
- Checkpoint is Lancaster Falls just off the trail on the hike in.
Approach
Parking area is for the rest area at Starvation Creek State Park just off exit 55 (I-84 eastbound only).
Follow the bike trail west along I-84 and, at Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, divert onto the Starvation Ridge trail. Hike upwards until you reach a junction and continue west ~0.1mi to Lancaster Falls just adjacent to the trail. Continue about another 0.15mi before breaking off and bushwhacking up a gully on an ascending traverse to the southeast. Lots of loose rock underfoot; good to wear a helmet. Keep going up ~500ft until you cross a minor ridge around 900ft elevation. On the far side, descend to the creek. It's spring-fed and starts right out of the hillside. Depending on where you drop in, you may need to do 1-2 nuisance rappels before downclimbing to the R1 station on the DCR side of the creek.
Descent
The R1 anchor is exposed, so you may want to rig a traverse or rappel to reach it safely.
- R1: 50ft from a tree DCR. Beware loose, crumbling rock, and watch your footing on this rappel.
- R2: Upper Lancaster Falls - 210ft from a tree DCR. (It is possible to use a 200ft rope to a safe landing by taking a line on the DCR side of the falls / out of the water.)
Cross under the falls and downclimb the chute a bit.
- R3: Lancaster Falls - 110ft from a tree DCL onto the trail. Beware kicking down rocks on people below.
Exit
Return the way you came.
Red tape
None.
