Wheeler Creek

Non-technical creek in the Pinnacles area of Crater Lake National Park. Traversing the canyon provides quite a different perspective from most visitors who peer down at the pinnacles from viewpoints on the canyon rim. One of the most bizarre / unique things about visiting this canyon are the fist-sized rocks floating by in the creek. It's pumice!

Drive all the way down to the viewpoint at the end of the Pinnacles Rd. Leave a car here and either hike or shuttle back north about 0.75mi to the point where Wheeler Creek crosses underneath the road; easy to miss. If using a shuttle car, be sure it's parked well off the road.

Cross the road and drop into the creek wherever is easiest. Head downstream, wading right in the creek. Potentially a few minor obstacles along the way, but nothing too challenging. Rope not required. The stream meanders quite a lot, so it can be easier to leave the creek occasionally to take a direct route. Into mid-summer there can be giant blocks of snow lying in the creek. Early season photos show the snow carving tunnels under the snowpack; bring a helmet and use caution.

Once past the main area of hoodoo pinnacles, note a steep forested slope DCR. Climb steeply up wherever is easiest to the south rim. You'll intersect a trail just outside the national park boundary. Turn right and follow this trail back to the lower parking area / viewpoint.