Fries Creek Canyon

Fries Creek Canyon Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C1 IV PG (v4a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌6+, max ↨115ft Metric Overall: 8h  ⟷5mi Approach: 4h  ⟷2.5mi  ↑1148ft Descent: 2h  ⟷0.6mi  ↑492ft Exit: 2h  ⟷1.9mi  ↑656ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌ Watercraft:Yes Rock type:Granite
Location:	49.7394, -123.1882
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Best season:	Early Fall if dry winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Pacific Northwest  Canada British Columbia  Sea-to-Sky  Squamish

49.7394, -123.1882topo

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Welcome! Canyons in the Pacific Northwest can be different from those you might be used to. Be ready for unlinked bolts, retrievable traverse lines, and challenging aquatic environments. For more on local practices, and the best way to get started in the region, check out the WCC Safety page. Unlinked Bolts - groups should be comfortable rigging unlinked bolts, either temporarily linking them for all but the last person, or using a passive redundancy method. Most importantly, if you find two bolts side by side that are unlinked, do not add webbing to them. Linking bolts designed to be unlinked will likely cause damage during seasonal floods. Traverse Lines - many canyons are rigged to allow traverse line access to an exposed anchor station. This should be done using self-belay or team belay techniques. Do not leave fixed lines in the canyons. Challenging Environments - the highly aquatic nature of PNW canyons can surprise many. Cold temperatures, slippery rocks, loud waterfalls, and strong currents all lead to unexpected problems. Do not underestimate the need for strong team work and technical proficiency. Belays are frequently not possible. Unattended gear will sink or float away. Sliding and jumping is the cause of most major injuries, so it's critical to effectively communicating water depth & submerged hazards.

Introduction

Right in Squamish. Start is just across from Fishermans Beach. A nice few drops, but probably not worth the 4 hour approach hike with bush wacking steep loamy terrain. Very pretty.

Approach

There is a reasonable good trail starting at 49.75642, -123.15861 which works its way up several noses. It travels under the power lines mostly following Fries Creek. At about 300m elevation the trail goes to the lake. After this you mostly bushwack back to the ridge. There are some old logging roads which make this easier for a bit, but then you bushwack to cross the tributary coming in from the south and follow the game trails up an up. Traverse around to the start of the canyon at about 437m elevation.

Descent

The first descent was done using mostly natural anchors. The 2nd last drop, which is just a little over 30m, was bolted with 2 bolts canyon left. You will need to set up a handline off a natural anchor to safely get to the bolts which give a good low abrasion line down the falls.

Exit

once all of the drops have been completed, walk down canyon for a couple of hundred metres until you find a way up the steep sides on canyon right. The trail is up there, you just have to find it.

Trip reports and media

First descent, Michael Henson and Jon Obst, October 8th 2022.