Canyon Creek is a real gem:  close to Seattle, beautiful canyon, adrenaline packed run, great rapids, and short shuttle for multiple runs.  We headed to Canyon Creek with a crew of 14, many of who had never run it (including the author).  I got invited on this one by Jeff Bowman, part of the crew at the The Outdoor Adventure Center (best paddle shop around... check them out).  The run starts with a punch as the river drops off a wide ledge into a frothing pool less than 500 feet from the put in (scout this drop before putting in by walking down road from put-in or scout left, portage left).  This drop is right above the bridge for reference.  The ledge is very sticky and wide, forcing a swim from one paddler in our group.

The action keeps going non-stop for the next mile as the river drops 111 fpm through the vertical canyon walls.  The next rapid is a Class IV boulder garden which should be run left to right.  Below here there is a boulder with a channel left or a boof right.  Either is good.

The gradient steepens below here for the crux of the run.  There is steep boulder garden with a clear path to the right, alongside the wall.  There was a large log jammed on top of rocks on the left side.  There is a good hole near the bottom of this chute so dig deep and punch through it.  There is a brief pool before the boulder garden continues with some good action.

The crux boulder garden right/ center is good.  Sticky ledge is to the right of photographer.  Jeff Bowman photo.

The next garden can be run center or right, but carry speed through the rapid; you’ll need it for some of the lower holes and ledges.  Scout right.  About 200 feet down this garden is a hole that was the most problematic on our trip.  This hole swam two people back to back, and almost munched a few more.  The hole is between two large rocks that close the hole’s ends like a lowhead dam.  It is about 6 feet wide and cannot be avoided without portaging.  This hole is no problem if you paddle and boof hard.  The first swimmer went left and got stopped dead.  She pulled, got worked for a second before disappearing and reappearing 20 feet downstream a bit disoriented.  The next swimmer ran right but hit it a bit sideways and got side surfed for a second before swimming out.  Good carnage.

The ledge about to claim its first swimmer.  Jeff Bowman photo.

Below this drop there is a bit more III boulder garden before one last drop, run left and then stay away from left wall.  Its another 5 minutes before you’re back on the Stilly, and at the takeout.  Drink water, squeeze out adrenal glands, get ready for second run.  Our first run was 90 minutes.  Me, Bryan, Justin, and Rob went up for a second run and almost beat the shuttle vehicle back… less than 10 minutes.  Enjoy.

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