Dark Creek
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| | Raps:6-9, max ↨110ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 23 May 2026
"R1 looked just like the "high" reference photo from Jun 2023, which tracks with 2026 being a month ahead of "usual".. The trail is in great condit |
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| Best season: | Jul-Sept
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46.3007, -121.7501
46.3114, -121.7312
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Waterflow
Introduction
A fun, beautiful canyon with excellent access, a bunch of aesthetically-pleasing waterfalls, and a short section of narrows. Destined to become a classic in the Dark Divide Area. Dark Creek generally takes about half a day to run. With an early start, combine Dark with nearby East Canyon Creek or Prairie Creek for a full day of canyoning.
The four mandatory rappels are all of excellent quality giving the rappeller the option to go in the flow. The other six drops provide some of the best downclimbs in WA, with nice chunky handholds and steps from the blocky Basalt walls. A rare opportunity to downclimb in the flow with very minimal consequences with pools at the bottom.
- Checkpoint is at R1 or where the trail crosses the creek. Both of those spots require a lot of time and energy to check the flow. You can also check just north of the approach parking area, you have to walk through the trees and look across the river to see Dark Creek. There are not any flow pictures for this location. If the water looks and sounds high, its going to be high. Moderate flow is going to be more of a soft gentle creek flow.
- Watershed: 4.15mi^2. Predominantly north-facing. Highest areas of the watershed are around 4700-5300ft high.
Approach
Park at the unsigned trailhead on FR-23. The road here was previously washed out, but was repaired in 2018. There's now a wide area in the road with room for 4-5 vehicles. Note the large berm (aka dam-like construction of logs and chains) put in to keep the road from getting washed out again in winter floods. Ford the creek to the trail on the far side (easily identified by a concrete ramp) and follow it. After about 1.3mi, the trail crosses Dark Creek; this is a good place to check the flow. Continue upwards 0.6mi to a junction around 3500ft (approx. UTM 10N 595991mE 5128029mN) just past Dark's minor western tributary. Follow the trail southwest and keep going to about UTM 10N 596295mE 5127734mN. Leave the trail and thrash northeast down a shallow drainage to Dark Creek. Off-trail section takes ~5min. Don't cut thrash over early or you'll miss some nice canyon.
Other notes:
- Older USGS maps depict the trail looping just above Dark Creek Falls. It doesn't exist. See ropewiki map for actual trail location.
- This is a popular motorcycle use trail. Give way to riders. Getting an early start in the morning might be a good way to avoid them on the approach.
- It might be possible to shuttle up using FR 2325, although this option has not been explored as of 2019.
Descent
Head downstream through a nice area of bedrock.
- R1: 8ft. Rappel from tree DCR or downclimb DCL.
Follow the bedrock around a corner and downclimb past several cascades.
- R2: 90ft from tree DCL. Water cascades down a chute from DCL to DCR entering a wonderful pool in the narrows below. R3 is at the pool's exit.
- R3: 25ft from log DCR or downclimb.
- R4: 15ft. Big logjam atop the falls. Rappel from log, or climb over the logs (awkward) for a downclimb DCL.
Downclimb a series of short drops. In high flow, a rappel might be recommended on some of these.
- R5: 25ft from log, or tree DCL, or downclimb DCR.
Dark Creek Falls
The next three rappels come rapid-fire and are collectively known as "Dark Creek Falls."
- R6: 85ft. Anchor on a tree DCL. A smaller tributary enters DCL here.
- R7: 65ft. As of 2026 the log spanning the creek is stable, and wedged in place by another log. No need for the prior cairn anchor. Note: there's a pothole mid-rappel, hard to see from above or in high flow.
The Dark Room
- R8: 85ft. As of 2026 a new anchor station has been commissioned further DCL that previously (with great line of sight). The single remaining undamaged bolt of the older station is used for a ~20ft traverse line.
Recommend extending the pull side ahead of time for an easier pull at the bottom.Falls is a large funnel going into a dark grotto (aka "The Dark Room") and exits through a narrow slot. This area could be dangerous in high flow; there may be a hydraulic present at the bottom.
Walk out through a short narrows and bypass a logjam DCR (easier than it looks).
- R9: Two tier falls: 20ft from tree DCL into a bit of a horizontal chute, then jump or downclimb the final drop.
Exit
Walk downstream 5min to reach the trail. Follow it back to your car. Declare victory.
Red tape
None.
Beta sites
https://www.canyoningthe406.com/dark-creek-1
Trip reports and media
Background
Dark Creek is named for John Dark, a 19th-century gold prospector and speculator.