Koda Creek

A small tributary dropping into Paradise Creek with some very nice rappels. Be aware, the climb out is nasty. It actually might be worth dropping by the exit before entering the creek and leaving a rim rope there for your return (see "Exit" below). Alternately, plan to hike out via the creek and leave a shuttle down at the campground. Doing Koda sans shuttle is about a half-day adventure and leaves plenty of time to visit Backwoods Brewing in Carson. Watershed: 1.34mi^2.

From the Paradise Creek Campground, follow the Wind River Rd north towards Old Man Pass for 3mi. Turn off left on FR 102 (approx. UTM 10N 582950mE 5092285mN)and follow it for 1.2mi to a saddle just above Koda Creek. Watch for elk. From the parking area, bushwhack west (easy) for 0.25mi to drop into the creek. Go downstream a few hundred feet to reach the place where Koda Creek abruptly drops off into the valley. A nice area of bedrock marks the final approach to the falls.

Sadly, Koda Creek is short & sweet. Head downstream about 0.15mi, passing some large house-sized boulders. On the DCL side of the creek watch for an obvious gully which is the best-looking place to exit the creek that you’ve seen yet. Follow the gully up and out of the creek, and, when you can, climb up onto the nose of the ridge to climber’s left. Head on up the ridge (steep) wherever is easiest until reaching a headwall. This is the crux of Koda. Bear slightly left into a dirty gully and grovel your way up perhaps 100ft, digging out steps for footholds, until the terrain eases off. For safety, might be good for the first person up to trail a rope, then tie it off to a tree up at the top. Rope can then be used to ascend out by the rest of the team. Above the headwall, walk through open forest (easy) trending northeast. Follow an obvious mini-ridge that appears on your left. Circle around a large bowl-like collapsed area to you right/south (possible old landslide where the hillside gave way). Follow it northeast for two minutes to reach the road and walk back to your car.