Rose Creek
Introduction:
Packed between some of the lessor seen East Glacier sights, one may find a network of canyons that hold promising goods. Rose Creek is one of them. Notably, the upper section of this canyon isn’t nearly as exciting, fun or committing then it’s local counter parts, that’s due to its long stretches of bedrock slabs. They aren’t quite enough to rappel down, but too steep to slide, making this canyon a lot of walking around obstacles. Do not let that fool you. This canyon is still for EXPERTS. The upper section has up to 9 small drops, butt slides and a lot of walking around strainers. However, the lower section is most likely impassable for most years. Filled with small drops up to 80 feet and enough flow to give Eagle Creek a run for its money, the lower section should only be attempted by the most prepared groups. We would even argue that the juice is not worth the squeeze. Even for the upper section. However, if one MUST canyon in glacier. Rose creek can be done in a day. With around 9ish rappels, a handful of small slides, a couple swims and a LOT of butt scooting. You must be determined, its a 2 out of 5 star canyon, but we’d argue that its better then a day in the office.
Stats:
Technical rating: 4C3 III (V3A3II* or V3A4II*)
Time needed: 6 1/2 - 8 hours
Number of rappels: 4 - 9
Number of downclimbs 0 (lots of sliding on your butt)
Longest rappel: 70 feet (largest “drop” is only actually 40 feet)
Distance round trip: 6.8 Miles
Elevation gain/loss: 1,457 feet
Significant hydraulics: Boils, recirculating hydraulics and a LOT of strainers
Special recommendations: Be prepared to walk around a lot of interesting looking sections, always spot the bottom of slides and rappels. There are significant strainers and recirculating hydraulics. They will kill you, they HAVE killed people. If you don’t know, don’t go.
Season: October or warm September
Getting there:
From Saint Mary: From the town of Saint Mary, follow Glacier Route 1 Road into the park for 6.3 miles.
Stop and park right at the gate of the Rose Creek/Rising Sun campground. This area is closed to vehicle in the fall and you must walk from the gate. From the gate your approach starts here. Easy peasy.
The approach:
From the gate: Wahoo! You get to canyon in GLACIER NATIONAL PARK?! How wild is that?
Well, after a 3.4 mile approach and 1,400 feet of elevation gain…
Okay from the gate, go through the campgrounds and walk to the Rose Creek Trailhead. If you can’t find it, just find Rose Creek. You’ll find the trail next to it. From here follow the trail through a burn, then up a restricted part of the valley. The first 2ish miles is LOWER rose creek. DO NOT DESCEND without a proper party, plan and life insurance policy.
It may look fun, but the water is deep, fast and there are few objects that could be categorized as an anchor. Oh and a lot of strainers.
Okay, anyways, Hike past the slot, and continue up trail. You’ll stay nice and close to Rose Creek.
Enjoy the pretty pine sections.
Then you’ll hit a burn on the right side of the trail, and not long after that you will pass by an outrageous recirculating hydraulic that has carved itself into bedrock. Please do not jump in that.
Not much further down the path you will reach a bridge that has a fair amount of water flowing through it and into Rose Creek. THIS is the marker that separates lower and upper rose creek. Do not continue past this bridge on your descent.
From this point, you may walk up the trail and drop into Rose Creek whenever you feel like you are ready to canyon!
The fun part:
About that…
This canyon should be descended like a first descent. Flows change sporadically, there are NO anchors and there are a LOT of hydraulics. It is up to YOU to make safe choices. I am not going to give you drop for drop beta on this. However, I will give you some recommendations.
Always check the bottom of a rappel for dangers, they can be sneaky.
If it looks like a slide, it probably isn't. We counted a total of 5 “slides” that terminated into fallen trees. Do not eat a tree because you got too excited.
Most drops are not swimmers so DO NOT JUMP.
Some pools are deceivingly deep. Areas we thought would be a walk turned into swims and underwater “keeper holes” which the walls under the surface are smoothed and slanted making exit difficult. You do NOT need keeper gear. Just keep that in mind, especially around hydraulics.
Bring a minimum of 5mm neoprene for all parts of your body. Glacier is cold.
If you are in doubt, walk around the obstacle. No one in Montana can save you. No one has the skills or gear.
Do not leave anything behind, duh.
Bring bear spray.
Cool! Below I have included some photos and videos of the canyon for your entertainment. Make smart choices.
The exit:
Whenever you are ready or you hit lower Rose Creek. Take the bank on the LEFT side of the canyon and hit the trail you came up. From there, follow the trail back down to your vehicle.
Map
GPS
