Catherine Creek Slots

Catherine Creek is located about five miles east of Bingen, WA. While the creek itself is not a major canyoneering objective (see Catherine Creek, Upper), the area is notable for a giant free-standing basalt arch located on the east wall of the canyon. Immediately south of the arch are two narrow slots. Objective hazards: loose rock, poison oak, and barbed wire. Apart from the aforementioned hazards, the slots might be a nice place to practice. Possibly be a good destination for rainy winter days when other creeks are running high. Visiting early or late season to avoid the poison oak. It is often sunny out here when it's raining in Portland.

From the parking pullout, walk east down the paved road for about 0.2mi. Upon crossing Catherine Creek, look on the north side of the road to find a cairn and an unsigned hiking trail leading upwards. Follow this path north/northwest, paralleling the top of the scarp until you locate the wooden fence that bars access to the top of the Catherine Creek Arch. The top of the north slot is about 200ft south of the arch. Looking in from above, it’s easily recognized by a large chockstone near at the top. The slot descends in a southerly direction. The south slot is another two hundred feet or so further south along the rim. This one is as obvious from above, but is marked by several small trees inside a healthy thicket of poison oak. This slot descends in a northerly direction.