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Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

Last post 06-09-2008, 4:59 PM by Ar'alani. 86 replies.
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  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-08-2008, 2:04 PM

    • Joined on 12-01-2007
    • Vancouver, WA
    • Posts 540
    • Top 25 Contributor
    Attachment: DSCF2093.jpg
    I agree.  However, objectively that easy chute is far more dangerous!  Maybe it was especially bad with everything being so slick yesterday, but that large rock felt like it was about to give.  So while it is not hard, that rock sent shivers down my spine.  It is also supporting a bunch of 50lb plus rocks too, that would complete the job if you dislodged the big one.  I'll post a pic of this rock later today.  It is the one you guys even have a pic of I think Lindsey climbing over.  So while the next chute is more time comsuming the rocks are much smaller, and the down climb is a bit tougher to get to the chute above the rock, to me it's worth it.  That rock scares me.
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-08-2008, 6:54 PM

    • Joined on 12-01-2007
    • Vancouver, WA
    • Posts 540
    • Top 25 Contributor
    Attachment: DSCF2102.jpg
    Here is a photo from the narrow ridge from which you cut back down to the top of the chute.  You can see the stream and the top of the falls in the background.
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-08-2008, 6:55 PM

    • Joined on 12-01-2007
    • Vancouver, WA
    • Posts 540
    • Top 25 Contributor
    Attachment: DSCF2107.jpg
    A photo from above the falls - just a snap shot from the narrow ridge dividing the two shoots.
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-08-2008, 6:58 PM

    • Joined on 12-01-2007
    • Vancouver, WA
    • Posts 540
    • Top 25 Contributor
    Attachment: on ruckel crk.jpg

    A nice pic from the trail on the hike out.


  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-14-2008, 5:21 PM

    Don,  I'm still reading through old posts that are new to me and I came across the waterfall you posted on 3-13 and suddenly realized I recognized it from an old book I have by James Holloway.  It's one of those giant coffe table books simply called "Columbia River Gorge" printed in 1988.  I don't know if James Holloway has ever posted on here, but apparently he's been to your "mystery" falls.

    While I've been to most of the falls in his book, I've looked at that picture many times wondering what it is.  Now I know why I've never seen it.  It's not on any routes I've done.

    Nice job.


    And the Lord said, "Escape to the mountains." Gen. 19:17.
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-15-2008, 8:33 PM

    • Joined on 06-02-2006
    • Bellevue, WA
    • Posts 263
    • Top 50 Contributor
    Thats probably the one I mentioned way back in the first trip report from the area.  Close up shot of a waterfall with a rainbow on the cover, great shot of Wahclella from up on the rockslide on the first page?

    Bryan Swan
    http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     04-16-2008, 7:24 PM

    Close up of a waterfall I don't recognize, but no rainbow.  That sounds familiar though.  I think I've seen it.
    And the Lord said, "Escape to the mountains." Gen. 19:17.
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     06-06-2008, 8:09 AM

    • Joined on 05-22-2008
    • Portland, OR
    • Posts 2
    • Top 500 Contributor
      Female
    Just an update.

    I went visiting this trail over the weekend with four friends.  We found all three waterfalls with only a few navigational issues (thanks to everyone for the excellent directions!).  The conditions are very good right now, though there is a lot of poison oak on the hillsides.  With the snow melt, all three waterfalls are flowing very heavily.

    Here is a shot of the lower waterfall:


    We found the easiest way to get down to be right dead center through the Indian Pits, finding a game trail at the base, angling sharply left, then going down to the creek at the tree line. We didn't have to scramble up the stream at all from this approach. I left a large thick stick standing at the place we went down to the creek, but that probably won't last long.

    Here is the second (middle) waterfall (photo by John:


    At the top (upper) waterfall (photo by Victor):


    Victor also has a shot of us wrapping under the middle waterfall to start up the chute:

    This is a great hike and not to be missed! Thanks to all who have documented this trek!
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     06-06-2008, 8:41 AM

    Great trip report and welcome to the site!!!

    What do you suppose is around that next bend?
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     06-06-2008, 11:02 AM

    Ar'alani, it's great to have you on the site. I have been a BIG fan of your photography on flickr for sometime now. I also noticed Manyfires had a post the other day but I lost it. I'm also a fan of her stuff and Victor's work. Is he on this site now too?

    Thanks for posting,

    Adam
  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     06-06-2008, 12:39 PM

    • Joined on 12-01-2007
    • Vancouver, WA
    • Posts 540
    • Top 25 Contributor

    Excellent photos!  The extreme wide-angle of the last is very nice at capturing both the ambiance of the place and a sense of trekking adventure (with the inclusion of your group off to the left).  Welcome to the site!

    -Zach 

  • Re: Lower, Middle and Upper Ruckel Creek Falls 3-9-08

     06-09-2008, 4:59 PM

    • Joined on 05-22-2008
    • Portland, OR
    • Posts 2
    • Top 500 Contributor
      Female
    Thanks for the warm welcome!  I don't believe Victor is on the site yet, but I'll mention it to him.
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