Hopkins Creek

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Hopkins Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving
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Hopkins Creek Banner.jpg

Difficulty:3C III (v4a3 III)
Raps:‌9, max ↨250ft
Metric
Overall:4-6.5h ⟷1.8mi
Approach:1-1.5h ⟷1.2mi ↑1040ft
Descent:3-5h ⟷0.5mi ↓920ft
Exit:5min ⟷600ft ↓20ft
Red Tape:No permit required
Shuttle:None
Vehicle:Passenger
Start:
Parking:
Condition Reports:
7 Apr 2025



"Lower flow than expected, fun water level, good flavor but no spice. Replaced hanging rebelay anchor at R5. Repelled from the new traverse anchor at R

(log in to submit report)
Weather:
Best season:
April-July, Nov-Dec,
winterspringsummerfall
DecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Regions:
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

Hopkins Creek is a beginner-friendly canyon featuring 9 drops and an impressive 250' waterfall. The approach is primarily on trail, the off-trail navigation and bushwhacking are friendly, easy exit, and the creek walking is straight forward. Hopkins has a similar canyon profile to Munra Creek in the Columbia River Gorge as it's open and non-committing.

  • Watershed: 1.32mi^2. Highest point in the watershed is Prairie Mountain at about 5000ft in elevation.

Approach

Turn off onto Silverbrook Road and park in the pullout at the intersection. There's room for several vehicles.

Visiting the Checkpoint

From the parking area, walk north up Silverbrook Road 200ft. Note the first driveway on the right and the obvious trail heading up into the forest. Do NOT park here as it may upset the local residents. This is the exit trail and it's worth walking up the short 600ft to view the bottom of the last rappel. Please be respectful of the locals and avoid private property. Flow can also be checked at the highway bridge close to Silverbrook Road.

Hiking Up

From the cars, walk east along the shoulder of Hwy 12 for about five minutes. Several hundred feet after crossing Hopkins Creek watch for a dirt pullout on your left (beyond the road with houses that is on the left) and note a sandy trail blocked by fallen trees heading steeply up the embankment. Follow this dirty trail upward to reach the main trail in a couple hundred feet. The main trail is overgrown in summer, but push on through... it's not that bad and soon gets better. Follow the trail up to the end of a switchback at about 1700' - and proceed westerly off-trail until you reach Hopkins Creek. Depending on the season, you may cross a tiny seasonal stream before reaching Hopkins Creek. A good place to target is to drop into Hopkins just where a small tributary joins it at ~1800ft elevation.

Descent

The descent begins where a tributary East of Hopkins joins with Hopkins Creek. Natural anchors are abundant. Well-placed webbing exists at all drops. The creek is quite pristine and the webbing anchors low profile. .

R1: 70' DCR. This line is the crux in heavy flow. Totally doable at mod high. If too high, use a dry line from a tree around the corner DCR.

R2: 20' DCR

R3: 20'

R4: 100' DCL go under the log or split it

  • R4a: ~80’ rappel to log R4b 20’ off log.
  • Hopkins Creek Hopkins Creek R4b anchor.jpg

  • R5: ~250' Upper Hopkins Creek Falls. You have options! The falls can be descended in 1, 2, or 3 pitches.

    • R5 - 250' single pitch descent. Bring radios for communication.
    • R5a - 60ft to R5b. (Or 160' to R5c.) Anchor is a tree DCL.
    • R5b - 90ft to R5c. (Or 200ft to the bottom.) Anchor is a large cedar DCL with a maple growing across it. The cedar has webbing & a quick link; the maple has an anchor made from an piece of canyon rope. The two separate anchors allow the anchor manager to clip in without getting wrapped up in the rappel line. This rebelay provides a nearly direct and dry fall line to the next anchor.
      • Note: If rappelling directly from R5a to R5c, the rappeler must scramble up a very slippery slab to the top of the final pitch. Using R5b has good line-of-sight throughout the sequence and improves communication.
    • R5c - 100ft to the bottom. Anchor is a tree DCL. The fall line stays out of the main flow, even during high water. At the bottom, you can optionally enter a side flow.

    ! Watch for rockfall at the base! Loose rocks are easily kicked down by rappelers.

    R6: 60' DCL

    R7: 70' DCL. Traverse ~25’ from sling around tree to access R7 rappel webbing.

    R8: 80' DCL

    R9: 180' DCL – Lower Hopkins Creek Falls There are 3-inch tree branches across the upper section of the falls. They don’t appear hazardous but are obstructive and should be trimmed with a saw. Significant debris and tree fall are present at the bottom of R9. Plan to land either down canyon left (DCL) or on top of the logjam.

    Pull from DCL. Station someone at the logjam to manage the rope tail, it will get caught in the vertical logs within the flow. The waterfall is low-angle here, which makes it easier to free the rope from the debris.

  • Hopkins Creek Hopkins Creek R9 logjam.jpg
  • Exit

    Trail is DCR that will take you back to the parking lot. Please avoid going directly down the creek as there are houses nearby.

    Red tape

    The exit trail from the last falls leads out to Silverbrook Road, passing between two houses. Please be respectful of local residents and avoid private property. Randle police are constantly ticketing for speeding. Drive within the limits.

    Beta sites

    Trip reports and media

    Facebook Album - first descent on December 10,2017

    Background

    This canyon was first descended on December 10, 2017 by Doug Hecker, Haruka Lipscomb, Jake Huddleston, Michelle Nilles, Gilly Elor, Sid Creutz, and Tiffanie Lin. There appears to be additional waterfalls around 2400'. Many thanks to Doug and Nick for sharing this canyon.

    Credits

    Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

    In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).

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