Dark Creek
Despite the name, one will find little darkness in this wonderful canyon. Dark Creek is a narrow passage that descends near the tightly wooded area of the Dark Divide. It is a splendid half-day adventure reminiscent of canyons found in Northern Idaho. This canyon has few major considerations besides its longest rappel. And while you might struggle to find darkness here, you will certainly see the many stunning grottos that litter the canyon’s carved hallways.
Stats:
Technical rating: 3C1 III (v4a3 IV)
Number of rappels: 6 - 8 rappels
Number of down climbs: 1 - 4
Longest rappel: 110 feet
Distance round trip: 3 miles
Elevation gain/loss: 1,364
Significant hydraulics: possible boil
Special recommendations: none.
Season: July - September
Getting there:
From Randle: Go South on WA-131 for 1 mile.
This road will bend into Cusps road, follow it for another 8.1 miles.
This road will then turn into NF-23, follow it for 14.5 miles until you reach the dirt pull off on your right at 46°18'41.0"N 121°43'52.3"W.
The trail is across the stream.
The approach:
From the car, cross the creek below, then jump onto the trail. This is Dark Meadow Trail 263. Follow it for 1.14 miles until you reach a creek crossing.
This is Dark Creek. This is also where you should check flow. Additionally this is where the uphill really begins. Enjoy.
Follow this trail until about 1.85 miles where the trail bends right. This is where you’ll dip down into a dry drainage to your right. Follow it down to Dark Creek. Then suit up.
The fun part:
Begin your journey by following the slippery creek bed downhill until you run into your first drop. This drop is approximately 7 feet and is a good location to discuss water flow.
Once you have accepted the risks and conditions either rappel this drop DCR or down-climb DCL. Dealers' choice, assuming you know how to shuffle.
The creek then bends right and then cuts left. Here, you will find that the river rocks will begin to disappear and bedrock will become the creek bed’s dominant feature. Then after some sliding, stumbling, falling, and colorful language, the first mandatory rappel comes onto center stage.
Rappel 1 (90ish feet from a tree DCL): this rappel will force the party to traverse the watercourse on their way down. In high flow, this could be an entertaining exercise. Rappel down into a long deep pool below.
Swim to the other side of the pool after pulling your rope. This is the next rappel.
Rappel 2 (25 feet from a log. Or down climb in a risky manner): follow down the watercourse. Watch your heads on the two logs that cross over the watercourse, and into the pool you go.
The following down climbs may be done as rappels. However, they are unnecessary in most conditions. However, note that descending the canyon in higher flows may prove otherwise.
Swim through the pool. Then walk over to the next drop. This is a down climb. Do so DCL. Then you will run into another down climb. Overcome the obstacle using the left side of the canyon. Avoid the pool. It looks slippery. Then the canyon bends to the right. You will find yet another down-climb. And you guessed it. Pass it by using the left side of the canyon.
You will then drop into a waist-deep pool. This is followed by a possible down climb or rappel. If you choose to rappel use the tree in the pool behind you. It’s likely to have webbing on it. You will be rappelling directly into the flow. If you choose to downclimb, start in the watercourse. Then cross the stream midway down and under the log. The rest of it is fairly self-explanatory.
Stumble your way down the canyon until you reach a sudden drop-off. This is rappel 3. If the water proves to be dangerously high, then this is your last opportunity to exit the canyon before committing to the crux.
Rappel 3 (85 from a tree DCL): to best set the rope length send someone down to the ledge below the tree. From there they will see the bottom of the rappel, then descend the water course. DCL the party will find an additional spring following into the grotto below. During springtime, this may add a notable amount of flow.
Immediately after exiting the pool, you will find rap 4. We suggest having lunch here. It’s pretty, and you may want to consume some calories for the next two rappels.
Rappel 4 (65 feet from a Carin anchor): If you do not find a Carin anchor. Build one. Do NOT use the fallen tree that crosses the length of the canyon. It moves. If it does so while you are rappelling, you may want a good life insurance plan in place before attempting this rappel). Rappel down the left side of the watercourse while also avoiding the pothole midway down. This can be an exciting hydraulic in high flow.
Pull your rope and cross the watercourse DCL. There is a bolt station here. Yay.
Rappel 5 (110 feet down the watercourse and into a plunge pool): This rappel could prove violent in high flow and exiting the pool below may become a hydraulic. Regardless in low flow, one can rappel UNDER the tree and down the watercourse DCR if they so choose. If the water is above moderate, please go DCL. They are both good rappels, but one reduces a pull issue. Once down in the pool fight the current and exit the tree-filled pit.
Pull your rope. And follow the creek bed for a ways. Eventually, you’ll run into a big log jam. Down climb it DCR. Then the canyon will bend left. This is the last rappel.
Rappel 6 (20 feet off a tree DCL): this is a fun rappel. I’ll leave its excitement as a secret. But rap down into the shallow pool. Then walk down to the second drop. This can be down-climbed or jumped. If you jump. CHECK THE POOL DEPTH.
Swim across the long deep pool. Congrats. You can put a condition report on ropewiki for Dark Creek. That’s right. You’re socially obligated to do so.
Follow the creek a couple hundred feet downhill until you hit your approach path. Then strip suits here.
The Exit:
Once you hit the trail you used to get to the canyon, bank right and follow it back to your car.
