Sky Creek

Sky Creek Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C III (v4a3 IV) Swift water Raps:‌10, max ↨125ft Metric Overall: 4-8.5h Approach: 5-10min  ↓114ft Descent: 4-8h  ⟷0.5mi  ↓1200ft Exit: 0-5min  ↑0ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌Optional 10 min Vehicle:Passenger
Location:	48.6340, -121.3298
Condition Reports:	13 Sep 2022 "Straightforward, shallow pools, lots of down climbing. Many short multistage repels, some kind of awkward.
Weather:
Best season:	Summer, Fall (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 North Cascades Mt. Baker Ranger District

48.6340, -121.3298https://ropewiki.com/images/a/a4/Sky_Creek.kmltopo

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Reference photos

22 Sep 2020: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Photo of R2, can be accessed by walking along the banks.

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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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

Sky Creek is a tributary of the Skagit River. If you're looking for a training ground to improve your downclimbing, you've found it! Several of the rappels can be bypassed by downclimbing, and much of the travel between anchors is downclimbing. This canyon is much lower flow than Thornton, and as such serves as an excellent back-up plan if you find Thornton is too high for your tastes.

If you are looking for long vertical rappels or hate moss that blankets every horizontal and vertical surface in sight, this canyon is not for you.

Exit is possible through most of the canyon by climbing out either bank.

Approach

A car shuttle is strongly encouraged. Park one set of vehicles at the confluence of the Sky and the Skagit, and drive the other set up Thornton Lakes Road until you find roadside parking at approximately 48.6379, -121.3318. Suit up and descend to the south until you reach the first rappel at roughly 48.6365, -121.3317.

Descent

Much of this canyon can be downclimbed. In a few places, the first descent team opted to rappel when a downclimb could have bypassed the rappel. In higher flows, alternate anchors may need to be utilized.

R1: 15'. Rappel off of the roots of a tree DCL.

R2: 125'. Two stage rappel. The anchor is a tree DCL. If you want, this rappel can be split into two utilizing trees either DCR or DCL after the first stage. (picture below)

R3: 75'. Bolted anchor DCR. (picture below)

R4: 40'. Tree center channel. Could be downclimbed.

R5: 45'. Bolted anchor DCL. (picture below)

R6: 50'. Tree center channel.

R7: 40'. Tree DCR. Could be bypassed with a downclimb DCL.

R8: 50'. Log across the flow, webbing is on the DCL side of the log.

R9: 120'. Multi stage rappel off a bolted anchor DCR. (picture below)

R10: 20'. Tree DCR.

Exit

Descend the Creek all the way to Highway 20. Cross the road to reach your vehicle.

Background

This canyon was first descended on September 22, 2020 by Alec Wagner, Beth Voss, and Yana Radenska.

Incidents

Credits

Sky Creek

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).