Nacho Canyon

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Difficulty:‌3C1 II (v3a4 II)

Swift water

Raps:‌6, max ↨100ft

Metric

Overall:	3.5-5h
Approach:	30min
Descent:	2-3h
Exit:	1-1.5h

Red Tape:‌No permit required

Shuttle:‌None

Rock type:Basalt

Start:

46.8768, -121.5052

Parking:

46.8723, -121.5156

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Weather:

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Waterflow

Best season:

Jul-Oct (avg for this region)

winter				spring				summer				fall
Dec	Jan	Feb		Mar	Apr	May		Jun	Jul	Aug		Sep	Oct	Nov

Regions:

North America

United States
Pacific Northwest

Washington

East Cascades

Yakima County

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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

An unnamed creek located east of Mt. Rainier National Park. Easy access, grippy rock, and some unique rappels make it a fun half day canyon. Many of the rappels go directly in the flow making it more fun. There are plenty of escapes in the canyon if need be.

Approach

Park on the side of the road at the trailhead for Naches Peak Loop. Follow along the trail for about half a mile. Once you get to a grassy meadow around 46.87138, -121.50500 head off trail staying high while working your way north towards you get to the beginning of the creek. Creek walk about 10 minutes to the first rappel.

Descent

R0: Set up a 50ft retrievable handline to access R1. For the first decent a tree spanning the creek perpendicular was used. In high flow this would likely need to be a rappel.

R1: 60ft from a tree DCL meeting up with a drainage. Rap is in the flow

2 small waterfall down climbs on grippy rock

R2: 15ft nuisance rappel from very small tree DCR. No webbing was used or left behind here.

Downclimb through V-slot

R3: 40ft from tree limb in middle of canyon. Nicknamed “Staircase falls”

Mini narrows section then 10ft waterfall down climb.

R4: 100ft from a tree high up DCL. Will have to scramble up the canyon a small ways before it to access the webbing. 20ft to a small pool then the rest of the way is the “sidewalk” which is a really nice steep walkway following the path of the flow for the rest of the way down. Highlight of the canyon.

R5: 60ft from single bolt DCR. This is a 2 stage. Drop 20ft then walk back about 20ft then rap down the last 20ft onto a really neat pyramid shaped slab. The rope pull was no issue when pulling high DCL

R6: 50ft from tree high up DCL

Exit

Red tape

Beta sites

Trip reports and media

Background

Incidents

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. 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).