Rock Creek (Indie, South Cascades)

Indie-Rock is a minor tributary of the more well-known Rock Creek. It enters downstream of Rock Creek's technical section. It runs low most of the year, so might be a good outing early in the season or for beginners. Don't bother with this one in mid-summer. The upper creek is a bit overgrown, but it soon subsides in a series of long chunky bedrock ramps that can, mostly, be downclimbed. These are mixed with occasional debris piles to climb over. There's a long hike out along Rock Creek making this one a high pay-to-play.

There are two choices on the approach: 1) If hiking, continue up the road about 0.5mi and, just past a bend in the road, look for the Snag Creek trailhead on the right. (USGS maps do not show the correct location of the trail.) The lower part of the trail is a bit overgrown and was a little tricky to follow as of 2025. It basically heads northeast along the edge of the clearcut and then is easier to find when it enters the forest just above Snag Creek. The trail then follows the ridge northwest. 2) Alternatively, shuttle ~1mi up the road to a turnaround in an old clearcut, and bushwhack your way uphill about 0.1mi (+150ft elevation) to meet the trail. The trail switchbacks up onto the plateau, gaining about 600ft, before flattening out and becoming easy hiking. Pass a large signboard where you pass from DNR land to National Forest. Small wooden posts also mark the mileage. On crossing an obvious drainage, head downstream into Indie-Rock.

Note that water levels will quadruple or more entering Classic Rock. Below the last falls it's ~1.8mi downstream to the PCT footbridge. 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 Post Rock 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.