Crystal Creek (White Chuck River)
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| | Raps:4-6, max ↨131ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 29 Jun 2025
"Despite a disappointing canyon, and the disappointment of not being a FD, it was a nice day.. 2 = not good, wont do again, but I dont regret it. |
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| Best season: | Jul-Sep (avg for this region)
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48.1873, -121.3594
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Introduction[edit]
The creek starts off with three promising back-to-back raps. Sadly it turns into a long, albeit beautiful, down-climb. Surprise views of Mt Pugh were a highlight.
Approach[edit]
As of 2025 there's a major washout on FR23 (a technical 4wd bypass exists). This means there's a 5 mile hike in along the road to access the top of the creek.
Despite the inaccessible trailheads along FR23, the Crystal Creek Trail seems to be in good condition.
From the parking, follow the road up to the Crystal Creek Trailhead (there is a sign) and turn right onto the maintained trail. There is a flow check point along the way which is also your exit. Follow the trail until just before it veers to the left and find the easiest route down through the forest on your right to a flat bench and then make an easy and open forest walk heading east to the creek.
Descent[edit]
From the drop in point make a brief creek walk passing over a few small log jams.
R1: Webbing slung tree DCL 50’ down a low angle ramp to the lip of the first real falls.
R2: Single ring hanger DCR 115’ landing DCL (rappelers right) There is a deviation approx 3/4 of the way down from webbing on a tree DCL
R3: Ring hangers DCL under overhang. 115’
Down climb longer than you think you should, staying mostly DCL or center.
R4: (Or continue downclimbing) Webbing anchor DCR 50’ crossing the flow or downclimb DCL to webbing anchor:
R5: DCL from webbing slung on tree, 130’
R6: Webbing DCL 45’ can take the dry line or traverse DCR and drape the rope over the rock to rap in flow. Can also be bypassed DCL.
Downclimb to road
Exit[edit]
Walk the road back the way you came to your car.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
In 2025 a group descended the creek by hiking 5 miles in from the washout on FR23. Thinking it was a first descent, they were very surprised to find bolts already installed! It turns out it was descended in Sept 2021 by other team (who didn't have to hike in!) who forgot to add it to ropewiki.