Thorp Creek
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| | Raps:3-4, max ↨60ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 5 min Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 12 Oct 2025
"Started while it was snowing!! A new drop in should be found, the early drop in point on the map was used but the main canyon section didnt start unt |
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| Best season: | Jul-Oct
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47.3635, -121.1158
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Introduction
Thorp Creek is located within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Kittitas County, Washington. It is a tributary of the Cle Elum River, with the confluence just north of Cle Elum Lake (reservoir).
Approach
The current approach options on the map require a long, arduous creek walk. A route directly to the technical section seems feasible and needs to be explored.
Drive
Exit Parking
From Cle Elum, drive north on WA-903 to the north end of Cle Elum Lake. Turn left on NF-4308 (labeled French Cabin Creek), cross the bridge over the Cle Elum River, and proceed 0.2 mi. Turn right on NF-4309 and proceed for 0.3 mi to the bridge over Thorp Creek. This is the exit of the canyon; leave a vehicle here.
Non Shuttle Approach
Looking upstream from the bridge take the trail on your left (this is also your exit). The trail is well defined and parallels the canyon all the way to the top of R2. From here, either drop in and run the lower section of the canyon, which will be very short, or if you’re determined to do the entire route, continue side hilling off trail (easy going) avoiding the temptation to traverse high. Eventually the route will force you to enter the canyon and you can walk up the canyon to the bottom of R1. A rock band UCR allows you to climb to the top of R1.
Approach Parking
From the exit parking area, drive another vehicle on NF-4309 0.3 mi back to NF-4308. Turn right and proceed up the road 2.8 mi. Park just before reaching the intersection with NF-4312. This is a good drop in point, though there are others, equally good, upstream along NF-4312.
Hike
Hike downhill to the creek; it gets a little steep near the bottom.
Descent
(Technical Section Only)
R1- 15’ from single bolt DCR
Three fun slides and a downclimb/partial slide.
R2- 25’ from single bolt DCL
R3- 10’ nuisance rappel/handline off tree DCL. This can be slid, but the pool at the bottom is fairly shallow.
R4- 60’ in two stages from bolt DCL at the lip.
Exit
Right after R4, there is a trail DCL that leads up to the forest. Turn left and stay left again at the fork to make your way back to your cars at the bridge.
Red tape
Beta sites
CanyoneeringNorthwest.com (archive.org) : Thorp Creek- Super Amazing Map : Thorp Creek Canyon