Rock Creek (Cowlitz County)

A nice tributary of the Lewis River that flows into the north side of Lake Merwin. Rock has a few short drops and a great slide before reaching the big Rock Creek Falls. The original beta described heading north along the creek and dropping in via a tributary, but the most interesting section is located below the bridge. A better exit route was explored in 2021, although the pay-to-play is a little on the long side.

Park in an obvious pullout on the south side of Hwy 503 just east of the bridge over Rock Creek. There's room for several vehicles here. Some user paths lead southwest down to the creek between R2 and R3, but you'll miss some nice canyon going that way. Instead, cross Hwy 503, and make your way down through the forest to drop in above just north the bridge. Use caution as it's steep and there are some cliff bands occasionally as you drop down through the trees. If lucky, you may find a way to get down without using a rope, but setting a hand line or rappelling may be a safer option.

Sadly, the big falls is the end of the technical section. Continue downstream all the way to Lake Merwin. The going is slow and slippery. A couple of nice cascades (easily bypassed) signal you're nearing the bottom. Be aware: the creek reaches the lake at the eastern end of the private community of Woodland Park. You're practically in someone's backyard. Immediately exit the creek DCL (east) and pick up a somewhat overgrown user trail (looked like people were crossing on a log in 2021) leading along the lakeshore. Follow this old trail east until about 45.98965, -122.4675 where a giant patch of blackberries blocks your way. Circle around this bramble thicket and pick up an old, nearly indistinct track leading east into the woods. The track, marked occasionally, with flagging, switchbacks a couple of times, then ascends on a rising traverse up to the powerlines at about 750ft elevation. The track is indistinct at first, but gets better for a good stretch, then gets worse again on nearing the top. At this point, just break off trail and head up wherever is easiest to pop out under the powerlines. Follow the powerline access track northeast for a couple minutes to Hwy 503 (gated) and walk back along the wide shoulder to your car (~1min). Total distance from the lake back to your car is about 1mi with a gain of ~500ft elevation.