Looper Creek
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| | Raps:0-4, max ↨33ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Limestone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | May-Sep
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48.7904, -124.6377
48.7974, -124.6429
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Introduction
Looper Creek is one of the most scenic gorges in the entire Pacific Northwest, a spectacular, narrow slot carved into the limestone country east of Nitinat Lake on southern Vancouver Island. The canyon includes a classic example of limestone karst as well as watery narrows encompassed within a world of emerald light. A descent of the canyon is relatively straightforward, with a few short rappels, several teetering logjams, numerous swims and optional down-climbs. The rewards are considerable, culminating in a passage that narrows to a few meters wide between overhanging walls up to 50 meters high. Required gear includes a 30-meter rope and rappelling gear, full length wetsuit, and protective headgear.
This canyon is on unceded Nitinaht Nation land. Please treat this area with respect.
Approach
From the City of Duncan head North on Hwy 1 until the intersection with Hwy 18 towards Lake Cowichan just before the town of Lake Cowichan, you're able to choose either the N Shore Road towards Youbou or the S Shore heading towards Honeymoon Bay. (If you choose the South Road continue along it until you reconnect with the N Shore Rd. at the West end of the lake.) Continue on the N Shore Rd, and at (48.913975, -124.484445) Take a right turn to continue on N Shore Rd. About 3km later at (48.913975, -124.484445) N Shore will become Cowichan Main, continue along this for 14km coming to a junction at (48.863289, -124.643573) heading left onto Carmanah Mainline. About 9.2km later you will cross a bride that crosses the lushly vegetated Caycuse River at (48.799426, -124.640551) after the bride continue right for 400m you'll find the first parking area on your right. (48.797556, -124.642787). A small unsuspecting bridge will lie before of you below this is a 50m drop to Looper Creek below, with pools visible far below amid a tangle of vegetation.
Once Parked, being the approach hike by walking 200m towards Looper Main (48.796429, -124.644644), follow the sweeping uphill curved road pass the old quarry. hike approximately 1km to (48.791753, -124.641224) where you'll find pink flagging tape on the left side of the trail enter the forest here. Continue following the pink and yellow flagging tape for 400m this trail will lead you to the start of the Canyon. (48.79039, -124.63770).
There is a rock right as you enter the creek. Use the reference photos to indicate what water levels you may encounter.
Descent
Once you enter the Canyon, you'll find yourself surrounded by lust vegetation, a broad and wide channel floored with gravels, boulders and the bubbling stream that flows over multicoloured limestone outcrops. This canyon can be completed without ropes though I'd recommend against it as many of the features have changed over the years and log jams become lose or disappear altogether. Many technical downclimbs as well as a 5m technical jump at the end, that could cause you some trouble if one isn't comfortable with these kinds of obstacles.
About 20m downstream you'll encounter your first feature.
- Option(A) Rappel-1 10M - On canyon right you'll find a lone bolt that you can use as a hand line to reach the hanging bolted station. This can be a bit tough to get to but a fun and exciting way to start.
- Option(B) Downclimb-1 5M! - Climbing over the log jam on canyon left scramble down towards the loss side and with care rejoin the creek.
Shortly after you join the main Creek where you'll find the beginning of pocketed limestone walls giving you a glimpse of what is to come.
Following the creek for 130m you'll find yourself a small drop.
- Option(A) Rappel-2 4M - A small rappel for the wary, a single bolt is found on canyon left on a large boulder.
- Option(B) Downclimb-2 4M - At the same spot where you'd rappel a small downclimb can be done. This isn't hard but can be quite slippery.
The bolt was added for the shorter or younger folk to either rig a hand line or rappel.
Continue down the canyon for around 500m surrounded by lust scenery and beautiful geological formations. There truly isn't much like it around.
You'll come to a large log jam.
- Option (A) Rappel-3 6M - Another small rappel to avoid a tricky downclimb, a single bolt can be found on canyon left.
- Option (B) Downclimb-3 6M! - A tricky and slippery downclimb that can be quite a bit harder if you're on the shorter side, leads you past this obstacle.
Soon after you'll encounter a large log that has fallen and wedged in the canyon. With care walk or scootch across it. You'll see some bolt on canyon left these were added during a high water run through this section where traversing the log wasn't possible.
20m later on canyon right there's a large amphitheater feature, I'm told the cave at the back leads somewhere. I personally wasn't brave enough to squeeze my way in.
At this point you're well within the steep limestone walls, amazing scenery rarely found elsewhere.
- Jump-1 2M! - A slot leads to another log traverse. Either walk to the end or jump between the two shelves. Take care some people have injured themselves here jumping here.
Shortly after you'll reach the last feature before the beautiful pools you may have seen from the bridge above.
- Option (A) Rappel-4 7M - Scramble up canyon left into an alcove; you'll find a single bolt to rappel down into the pool below.
- Option (B) Jump-2 6M! - Near the alcove and bolt you'll find a flat "diving board" with care jump into the pothole below ensuring not to jump too far as you'll hit the lip.
Continue down creek to pass the bridge and a potential side caving quest to the right (Bring a headlamp). You'll find the well-defined exit trail on canyon right.
Exit
The exit trail is short, but very steep, with a pair of ropes providing assistance as it climbs through the dense vegetation. The final climb soon leads back to level ground, popping out on the road a few meters back from the parking area. In the renewed brilliance of the roadway, the memory lingers on the sublime otherworldly lighting permeating the hidden chasm far below. In the quiet moments, the mind drifts back to the striated limestone and emerald seeps of the slot, and the endless procession of cascade and pool, until night drifts up from the abyss to reclaim the world.