Olallie Creek
Above the Grove of the Patriarchs is a stream that feeds the perfect introduction to Rainier's aquatic gorges. Olallie is the name, and rappelling is its game. With only a few short swims, this canyon tests the canyoneer's ability to stay on their knees in flow while providing a great example of natural anchors. Many of its drops are entertaining and engaging while providing many unique options. Something rarely seen in class C canyons. While playful, this canyon still packs a punch and contains a short sequence that may prove challenging in even moderate flows. So be careful; this dog may be playful but surely can bite.
Stats:
Technical rating: 3C1 III (V3A5III*****)
Time needed: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hours.
Number of rappels: 11
Number of downclimbs: 3-4
Longest rappel: 155 feet (bring a 200’)
Distance round trip: 4.3 Miles
Elevation gain/loss: 1,400 feet
Significant hydraulics: Possible strainer
Special recommendations: none.
Season: July - September
Getting there:
From the town of Packwood:
Jump onto highway US-12 East and head North. Follow this pretty highway for 7.5 miles.
Then turn left onto WA-123 North and follow it for an additional 5.4 miles.
Then, turn… you guessed it… Left! Onto Stevens Road. Have your park pass or debit card ready to get into the park.
ALSO NOTE: Rainier National Park now has a timed entry (thank god). This requires you to buy an entry pass the day before at 7PM. You are toast if you do not have a pass and attempt to get into the park between 7 AM and 3 PM. Go do Davis Creek instead.
Once in the park, follow Stevens Road for .2 miles until you find a nice parking area on your right. This is the Grove of the Patriarchs, which happens to be your parking lot.
You can start from this parking lot. Or, if you have a second car, you can shuttle a little ways to make the approach and exit even shorter. If you choose to shuttle, park one car at the Grove of the Patriarchs, then drive your party with the second vehicle up the bend of Stevens Road to the small Cowlitz Divide Trail parking lot. This saves a couple hundred feet of walking.
The approach:
Start up the Cowlitz Divide Trail and follow it for about a mile and a half while enjoying the cedars and huckleberry plants. The trail will contain a fair amount of elevation gain and may require a break, so enjoy it. At least you get a trail.
Eventually, the trail will begin to switch back on your way up. This indicates that you are getting close to your drop-in point. Keep your GPS track close; the trail has no apparent split.
After more hiking, the trail bends left after a long straightaway. This is where you leave the Cowlitz trail and jump into the PNW brush. Yay!
Fight the light bushwhacking. Following a slight trail made by bumbling canyoneer's. A GPS track helps here; however, as long as you go down the hill into the drainage below, you will eventually reach your destination. Granted, you may donate more blood to the brush Gods.
Once you see the creek, find the best spot to put on your wetsuit. The fun has just begun.
The fun part:
Depending on your drop-in point, getting to the main course may take you longer. There are upwards of a dozen rappels and down climbs from the upper section of the creek. However, eventually, you'll make it to the first big drop. This is the start of the mandatory rappels. The optional malarkey is over.
Olallie starts with a bang:
Rappel 1 (160 feet from a tree anchor DCL): This rappel begins in a chest-deep pool and flows over a 30-foot drop into a deep pothole. Swim across the pothole and continue down the watercourse into yet another short, deep pool. This pool may be a little more turbulent but can be stemmed if needed. Once across the second pothole, rappel down the third and final drop. This last drop may prove pushy.
This will land you on top of Rappel 2.
Rappel 2 (65 feet from a rock of your choice found at the bottom of Rappel 1): The watercourse will split into two flows. Rappel down the left flow and over the edge.
Land in a light shower and downclimb a 6-foot drop. Then, pull your rope.
Walk about 20 feet to find the watercourse descending a tighter, more turbulent pseudo-slot. This is rap 3.
Rappel 3 (55 feet from a log DCR before the canyon tightens): The slotted section is downclimbed, but quickly, the water drops hard left down a pinch and into a grotto. This is a relatively easy rappel, but the pinching rock may prevent an effective pull. Be careful when retrieving your rope.
Enjoy the grotto and boulder hop down to a gorgeous slot. Here, you will find Rappel 4.
Rappel 4 (15 feet from a boulder DCL into the slanted slot): Find some webbing under a boulder and rappel into the shallow pool below.
Walk down the beautiful slotted section. Here, you will find 2 down climbs. None being of any significant difficulty. Do not jump into their pools. They are shallow.
After about 200-300 feet of interesting creek walking. The canyon will drop into a pool and then pour over to a large suspecting drop. This is rap 5.
Rappel 5 (100 feet from a tree DCL past the plunge pool. Or 130 feet from a boulder DCL above the plunge pool. The 130-foot rappel will put you in flow): Rappel down from the pool or ledge into the log-jammed grotto below. A swim will be required after disconnection.
Once off, rappel 5. Swim through the massive cedar log jam and get on top of them. This is a great place to have a snack or eat lunch. The next bend contains the crux of the canyon.
Rappel 6 "Apparition falls" (85 feet from a log DCL): Note having a spotter DCR of the anchor station will prove beneficial for team safety as they will be able to see down the fall line. Once ready, rappel down into the thin crack that takes the brunt of the flow while trying to avoid standing in it. Even low flow has the ability to knock you off your feet. Stemming has been proven to be a useful tool here and will keep the rappelling party out of the fast-moving water. This can be an intimidating rappel and, in a higher flow, may be impassable due to a siphon that can develop at the bottom. Rappel under the log at the bottom of the rappel and land safely on solid ground. The pull cord should be thrown over the large log in the water course.
Immediately after the apparition falls is a 4-foot down climb, followed by rappel 7.
Rappel 7 (60 feet down another chute from a log anchor DCL): This rappel appears to be a downclimb. It's not. Rappel down the watercourse and into the deep pool below. Water may prove turbulent here.
Swim across the pool and walk a couple feet to Rappel 8.
Rappel 8 (50 feet off a root ball DCR): This rappel is straightforward. The pool below has some interesting bedrock to navigate under the water. Be careful with your knees.
Walk down the canyon about 200 feet through a pretty passage.
Rappel 9 (30' off a fallen log center of the canyon): Be careful getting to this canyon's anchor. There have been reports of injuries due to the false floor above which the anchor is located. This rappel may also prove challenging in high flow as the water will pound the rappelling party with some cold water exposure.
Walk a couple more feet down the canyon.
Rappel 10 (25 feet off a log DCL but rappel DCR): This rappel is slightly awkward. The pool below it is bottomless and can be jumped. Please check the depth of the pool before jumping.
Climb over some stacked logs and find the anchor to rap 11 on your left.
Rappel 11 (20 feet off a tree DCL): This is the last rappel and is straightforward. It's also very pretty.
Congrats, you have completed the technical section of Olallie Canyon!
The exit:
Once you finish the final rappel, climb out of the chest-deep pool DCL. Then, climb down the next pour-over into the massive pile of gigantic fallen trees.
Pick your way through the dead trees and walk down the watercourse. This section is beautiful and very slick, but be careful of the bedrock.
You will encounter a couple more drops; down climb them.
Soon, the creek will drop aggressively. Down climb them on the left side of the canyon until you get to the Grove of the Patriarchs bridge. Go up the bank to the left and cross the bridge. Follow the trail back to the parking lot. You will hopefully still find your car there.
