Exploratory: Rock Creek, Lewis River Drainage

I have had my eye on a couple of creeks in this area, unfortunately the first one didn't pan out, so we decided to check out the next one on the list! The players were myself, Mike Long and Dave G. We had a small debate on the actual name of the creek but after closer examination we agreed on Rock Cr. It was hard to tell from the map, which usually guarantees an interesting day. In standard fashion we didn't get out super early so we chose a short section as to not get in over our heads. We also had a small debate on how we wanted to approach the river. Start at river level and hike up a tiny road or try to drive up another bigger dirt road and drop in from above. We decided to start down below and hike up a small dirt road then drop over the side of a hill following a small creek down to the confluence.

Uhh! Which way do we go?? I will show you the way, points Dave G. We started hiking and it wasn't long before we could see the gorge leading to Yale Reservoir. We decided to start our descent down the tributary creek towards the confluence and put in.Dave checking out the waterfall on the tributary creek. Name unknown. Nice slide! Bad wood needs water!Mike wandering where the put in trail is! Hell any trail would do!! After your standard hiking through sticker bushes, Devils Club, branches, etc..., we finally made it to the creek! We liked what we saw! Mike checking out the put in rapid and looking down stream. Looking up at the put in rapidSo we put in and headed down stream. Right away the creek changed characters from bedrock slides in a gorge to stout class 4. The small nature of the creek along with the wood made this section tricky but fun . We portaged this rapid, there was a line but none of us wanted a part of it. The boulder garden continued down to a large landslide that blocked and sieved out the creek. This was probably due to erosion created by the clear cuts just above the canyon.

Mike L. making his way through the technical and continues boulder garden above the landslide. The landslide! Dave G. making his way through a boulder garden below the landslide. Dave G. on a slide just below. Mike L. about to punch a hole. The next big rapid had a surprise . It was undercut but runnable and kind of fun. Mike L. ducking after making under the undercut rock. The last rapid we portaged because it needed just a hair more water. You can see the rocks at the bottom. After passing under the bridge signaling our take out we hiked out of the canyon and back up to the car.