Lake Creek (Baker River)
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Raps:14-16, max ↨160ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 29 May 2026
"Early season high flow run really brings out the best in this canyon. Fun level of spicy flow which demands respect but was manageable, beautiful rock |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Summer, Fall (avg for this region)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_Banner.jpg)
48.7694, -121.5526
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction
Lake Creek is located within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Whatcom County, Washington. It is a tributary of the Baker River and is sourced by Shuksan Lake. The waters of Lake Creek have carved an impressive and winding canyon that has snaked its way through black, white, and red speckled bedrock. The approach is quite long and strenuous, and typically takes 3-4 hours, with the majority of the elevation gain off trail. Some groups have had difficulty navigating the approach. Your effort is rewarded however with 17+ back-to-back rappels in a unique and winding creek tucked away into the hills of the Baker River.
An early start is recommended for this canyon, as well as an efficient team with strong rappelling and rigging skills.
Lake Creek in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest should not be confused with the Lake Creek in Wenatchee National Forest.
Approach
Drive
From Washington Highway 20 East, turn left (north) on Baker Lake Rd and travel 26 miles until the road ends at the Baker River Trail parking area. You will need a Northwest Forest pass to park at the trail head or alternatively pay $5 for a day-use pass.
Google Maps directions to parking area
Hike
Hike along the relatively flat Baker River Trail for 2 miles. Just before you reach the bridge that crosses Lake Creek, veer off-trail into the woods, following the path of least resistance while paralleling the creek. Once you reach the hillside, look for traces of old flagging tape on trees. This flagging marks an old single track trail. The uphill portion of the approach is very steep and will take several hours. If you lose the flagging prior to 2,400', you may be too far off track. Continue climbing until 2400' and begin traversing across the hillside towards the creek. You will cross several small gullies before the final obstacle, a 10-15 minute thick bushwhack through vine maples before reaching the drop-in. If you need to rappel to get into the canyon, you are likely too low and need to continue uphill to the drop-in.
Enter the canyon around ~2200'. Suit up at the creek.
Descent
DCR = Down Canyon Right
DCL = Down Canyon Left
This canyon utilizes many natural anchors that can be damaged/washed away each season. If you think you may be the first group through of the season, be prepared to inspect and rebuild all anchors. All natural and bolted anchors use webbing and quick links, so bring plenty. A drill kit is also useful for the first descent of the season in the event of damaged bolt anchors.
R1: 110' DCL - unlinked bolts down a 2-stage rappel
R2: 100' - log
R3: 50' DCL - unlinked bolts
R4: 60' DCR - unlinked bolts
R5: 70' DCR - single bolt (2 stage low-angle rappel). The first stage looks like a possible slide but has not been tested. The second stage has been done as a short slide.
R6: 40' DCR - log. This rappel leads directly to a hanging pothole where R7 is located. R7 is an exposed anchor.
R7: 80' DCL - unlinked bolts ("Footloose Falls"). Rappel through the steep chute. In higher flow the water can be very strong here. It is possible to avoid the chute completely by going far to the right. There is a deviation bolt + carabiner here about 1/3 of the way down.
R8: 30' DCR - single bolt
R9: 10' - Partnered assisted downclimb. Lots of anchor material here to rig a quick line if needed. It is also possible to bypass via a scramble DCL.
R10: 25' DCL - sling a boulder, or careful downclimb
R11: 60' DCR - pinch point, knot chock, or other natural anchor (2 stage rappel)
R12: 80' DCL - bolted webbing anchor on large boulder down a 2-stage rappel. This anchor is exposed and awkward to reach. There is a log at the bottom of this rappel that can be tricky to navigate in higher flow.
R13: 40' DCR - log
R14: 20' DCL - log
R15: 60' DCR - bolted webbing anchor
R16: 25' DCL - unlinked bolts
R17: This is a multi-pitch rappel with a hanging rebelay anchor. This rappel sequence is the grand finale to the canyon with great views of the valley below.
R17a: 60' from a log into a pothole. Carefully climb out of the pothole and stay on rope to reach the bolted rebelay anchor DCL.
R17b: 130' DCL - unlinked bolts (Lake Creek Falls). The upper chute of this rappel is the crux of the canyon in higher water due to the concentrated flow. The final 90' of this rappel is not visible from the anchor.
_lake_creek_final_rappel.jpg)
_lake_creek_final_rappel_from_below.jpg)
Exit
After the last waterfall, walk downstream (either directly in the stream or back into the forest) to the Baker River Trail. Follow the Baker River Trail back the way you came for 2 miles back to the parking area.
Red tape
None
Beta sites
Lake Creek Falls - Northwest Waterfall Survey
Trip reports and media
Background
This canyon was first descended by: Kevin Steffa, Tre C Kwan, Erik Bernhoft, Haruka James Lipscomb, Pt Choate, Tommy Kelly, Jake Huddleston, and Tiffanie Lin on a cloudy and sporadically-rainy- Fall-came-early day on Sept 8, 2018. The flow was moderate low and thankfully the rain was minimal during the descent. The canyon was scouted both by Jesse Houser, Kevin Steffa, and Tiffanie Lin on various dates prior to the first descent.
Credits (chronological order)
Page contributions by (contributors needed, you could be the first). Please read the Disclaimers.