Dry Creek

Status: OPEN Be aware: Dry Creek was overrun by the Eagle Creek wildfire in September 2017. Please use extreme caution when descending the creek. Between landslides, fallen trees, and loose rocks, this area may be unstable and dangerous for years go come. The canyon may have changed dramatically. Do not rely on the beta below being accurate. Dry Creek is located within Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mount Hood National Forest in Hood River County, Oregon. It is a tributary of the Columbia River. The East Fork and West Fork of Dry Creek converge above Dry Creek Falls, a popular and scenic waterfall destination for hikers. Despite its deceptive name, Dry Creek used to be one of the best aquatic canyons in the Columbia River Gorge. The canyon is littered with massive logs covered in a soft and pillowy moss. These sleeping giants have accumulated over the years, and some span over 3 feet in radius. Vertical walls that run straight for hundreds of feet are covered in more moss and ferns, and you’ll understand why the Pacific Northwest forests are considered enchanted. Despite its beauty, soon enough you’ll quickly learn that the pillowy moss hides cracks and holes that are potentially more hazardous than rappelling in the falls itself. The last section of this canyon, the multi-tiered Dry Creek Falls, has been appropriately described as the “belly of the beast.” The pleasant features of the canyon dramatically change as the walls become menacing and more committing, and the trickle of the water turns into a deafening roar. Cold wind and spray swirl. All pitches in this section require careful and deliberate foot placement and the knowledge of when to just “ride the waterfall” if the flow becomes too strong. The canyon twists and turns for a few challenging drops, and with welcome relief, you’re at the top of the last falls and rappel into a beautiful basalt amphitheater. Dry Creek is fed from snowmelt, rainwater, and groundwater seepage; it is possible that there are springs in the watershed as well. The Benson Plateau above holds snow often into the month of May. The relatively small drainage area and lack of deep pools mean this canyon might be descended earlier than other canyons in the region.

It is no longer possible to drive all the way to the base of the last falls. Drive up the dirt road until you reach a gate just before the power lines. Park on the side of the road; there is enough space for approximately four cars. From the parking area, walk the gravel road the rest of the way to Dry Creek Falls, which takes about 20 minutes. It is a good idea to stop at the falls to check water flow conditions. West Fork Approach – Rudolph Spur Trail Summary: 2.5 miles, 2,000 ft elevation gain The Rudolph Spur Trail is a steep, unmarked route leading to the Benson Plateau. It is longer and gains about 800 more feet of elevation than the original bushwhack approach, but it requires very little bushwhacking. The trail can be difficult to locate. To find it, walk west on the Pacific Crest Trail from the PCT/Dry Creek road junction for about 10 to 20 feet. Look for a faint path heading south into the vegetation; it is easy to confuse with a drainage gully. Because this trail sees very little use, following a GPS track is recommended, as it can be easy to lose in several places. The trail wraps around the mountain west of Dry Creek and eventually curves back toward the Dry Creek basin and drop‑in point. While ascending the ridge, it is possible on clear days to see Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier from the same viewpoint. At the top of the ridge there is an excellent rest spot with a spectacular view of the Columbia River Gorge. The trail levels out here, allowing for quick progress over the next quarter mile. Eventually it curves right and heads south again. The Dry Creek basin will be on the left. Select a suitable location to descend approximately 700 feet into Dry Creek. Note that the first drainage you encounter is not the official west fork. Cross this drainage and continue over a small rise to another drainage with slightly more water flow; this is the correct west fork. Descending the first drainage will cause you to miss at least one rappel in the true west fork. West Fork Approach – Bushwhack Summary: 0.7 miles, 1,200 ft elevation gain This bushwhack should not be underestimated. Expect approximately two hours of bushwhacking, climbing 1,200 feet in only half a mile, while crossing a wide variety of challenging terrain. This includes moss‑covered talus fields that hide loose rocks and ankle‑sized holes, patches of poison oak, steep slopes filled with ferns and loose mud, and cliff bands that can block progress. There is no trail, and following a GPS track is strongly recommended. Additional note: Earlier descriptions mention climbing to 2,400 feet before heading toward the creek, but climbing only to 2,000 feet was sufficient. It is possible that a 60‑foot waterfall located upstream was missed by dropping in lower. East Fork Approach (Bushwhack) Summary: 0.5 miles, 850 ft elevation gain This is the most direct and shortest approach, but it requires a steep 500‑foot climb on loose scree with patches of poison oak and thorny vegetation. Helmets are recommended, as it is easy to dislodge rocks. From the base of the falls, either climb the user trails to the left and traverse along the base of the cliffs to reach the correct gully, or backtrack through the vegetation and traverse on relatively flat ground until reaching the base of the scree field. Climb the same gully upward. Three‑quarters of the way up, a game trail on the left climbs another 300 feet. The final traverse to the creek is overgrown and includes some dense brush. Make your way through and descend toward the creek. Aim for the top of the rappel, where there is a suitable rocky area to gear up on the down‑canyon left, rather than following the track directly into the creek.

RW1 (optional extra waterfall): 50 ft in two tiers from an anchor on DCL RW2: 80 ft in two tiers from large rock in watercourse on DCR RE1: 120 ft in two tiers, or split up per below RM1: 40 ft in two tiers from log DCR. Lower tier can be downclimbed. RM2: 70 ft from tree DCL. Narrow waterfall shooting down into a deep, enclosed chamber. This is the CRUX of the route—the most dangerous rappel in high water. The waterfall drops into a deep, V-shaped crack mid-way down on DCR, which can pummel the rappeler and possibly lead to a foot entrapment if not careful. RM3: 10 ft from rocks or log DCL RM4: 80 ft from a rock in the center of the creek near the edge. Relatively clean pull.

Hike back along the road to the parking spot (about 20 minutes)