Rock Creek (South Cascades)

Rock Creek is a major drainage flowing into the Columbia River in the town of Stevenson. The upper headwaters of the creek, however, sports a canyon with a number of waterfalls in quick succession. Rock Creek holds good water late into the summer. Rock Creek would get run all the time if it wasn't such a long hike in and out. Recommend getting an early start.

From the pass, turn right on an ATV track that climbs steeply up the hill. The track winds around the southern end of a local high point and then heads off northwest. The track is obvious and mostly easy to follow. Follow up and down along the ridgecrest for about 3mi. At about 45.77869, -122.06901, break off the track and bushwhack down into Rock Creek.

There are two sets of waterfalls on Classic Rock. The first begins about 100ft downstream of where you entered the creek. Hike downstream about 0.5mi to the next waterfall sequence. There are a couple features along the way: Watch for a tributary (Alt Rock) entering DCL just before the next series of waterfalls. It's a short walk to the next falls.

Below the last falls it's ~2mi downstream to the PCT footbridge. Expect it to take a couple of hours. It goes relatively quickly, however, as there's lots of gravel bars and bedrock to hike on. There's almost always an easy way forward. Throw in a couple of short narrows, boulder gardens, and logjam obstacles to keep you busy. Cool off in pools as needed. You will pass the Indie Rock and Post Rock tributaries on the way out. There are two features that signal you're nearing the end: Exit the bridge DCL and follow the PCT southwest. There's a short climb out of the drainage, then the route is mostly flat thereafter. Follow the trail about 0.5mi back to your car, going straight at the junction with the Snag Creek trail.