Mineral Creek

A gorgeous intermediate canyon (v3a4III) that makes for a fun and relatively short day.

GETTING THERE

Take Exit 80 (Roslyn) off of I-90 and follow Bullfrog Road into Roslyn. Continue on SR-903 north until it becomes Salmon la Sac road. Turn left onto Forest Road 46 and follow that towards Cooper Lake. Just before Cooper Lake, continue straight onto Forest Road 4600. Follow Forest Road 4600 over Cooper Pass to the Mineral Creek Trailhead.

APPROACH

From the Mineral Creek Trailhead, follow the Mineral Creek/Little Kachess Trail across the creek and up the hill until reaching a T-intersection. Turn right and follow the Mineral Creek Trail for ~0.6 miles. Drop in to the creek. The drop in is quite steep. Be cautious and be prepared to set handlines to descend to the creek.

DESCENT 

Mineral Creek has 8-10 drops - a mix of jumps and rappels. Most of the drops can be done out of the main flow. The water is cold but the creek bed receives quite a bit of sun.

EXIT

About 100 yards past the last rappel, the right side of the creek bank becomes open forest. Climb up out of the creek and follow an obvious old road that parallels the creek. It is an easy walk between young trees back to the river crossing at the main trail.

EQUIPMENT

Standard canyoning gear including webbing, a wrench and replacement quick links. 

TRIP PROFILE

  • Rappels: 10-12
  • Longest Rappel: 60 feet
  • Approach: ~ 1 mile
  • Exit: ~0.5 mile 
  • Time: 4-6 hours total

NOTES

  • This canyon is rated v3a4III at moderate-low water levels, and v3a5III in early to mid-season. 
  • Difficulty: Intermediate Canyon
Map
  • Green Trails Kachess Lake No. 208
  • USGS Chikamin Peak
  • USGS Polallie Ridge
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