Deadhorse Creek

Deadhorse Creek is located within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Whatcom County, Washington. It is a tributary of Wells Creek and the North Fork Nooksack River. Deadhorse Creek forms the drainage basin between Cougar Divide and Skyline Divide. It is sourced primarily from semi-permanent ice (Hadley Glacier) and snowmelt. Deadhorse Creek is remarkable in that it includes a tall, narrow crack in addition to canyon development typical of the region. The technical challenges of this stream include its committing nature, high flow, and big, narrow pitches. A washout in November 2021 closed Deadhorse Road (Forest Service Road 37) to motorized wheeled vehicles at mile 3.1 (east of Mount Baker Highway WA-542). Non-motorized use is allowed beyond the closure. Attempting to descend Deadhorse Creek via this road during the closure would add 12.5 miles distance plus 2,250ft elevation gain of road walking/cycling to the trip. In Sept 2024 an alternative top-down approach and exit was used to run Deadhorse Creek with the FSR37 still closed. This has been added to the route map. In summary: Some notes about this approach: It is recommended that the first group of the season be prepared to install sustainable anchors (unlinked 316 stainless steel bolt anchors or v-threads) in the event that the existing bolt anchors are damaged. Safe natural anchor options are extremely limited at the bolted pitch heads. Also be prepared to replace webbing and quick links on the natural anchors.

From WA-542 Mount Baker Highway traveling east, turn right (southwest) on Glacier Creek Rd/NF-39. Make an immediate left turn (east) on Deadhorse Creek Rd/NF-37 (gravel, easily passable in passenger car as of Sep 2017) and drive 8 miles to the bridge over Deadhorse Creek. Parking space for several vehicles is located on the right shoulder, just before the bridge. Google Maps directions to Parking (exit) To reach the approach parking, continue up NF-37 for another 2.4 miles. At the fourth switchback, there is space on the shoulder for one or two vehicles. Google Maps directions to Parking (approach). The approach is fairly flat, a bit brushy in places, and quite mild overall. Push through some unfriendly vegetation near the road for a short distance, then enjoy the pine needle and moss laden ground underneath the forest canopy. The remainder of the approach includes a marshy meadow and some bushwhacking through tall blueberry bushes before reaching the creek bed. The drop-in is just downstream of a small cascade with a deep pool. This is the reference photo. Compare flow before suiting up at the gravel beach here.

WARNING: This canyon is very committing. Descent details[edit] DCL = Down Canyon Left, DCR = Down Canyon Right Obstacle Distance Anchor Stream walk 15 minutes Includes a couple short downclimbs around small cascades. Downclimb or rappel 20 ft / 6 m The first waterfall can be downclimbed via small ledges on DCL leading to a jammed log, sloping down into the pool below. Carefully slide down the log. R1 15 ft / 5 m log to reach the R2 bolt station R2 100 ft / 30 m DCR - 2 bolt station Option 1: Descend DCR, mostly out of the flow for the upper portion. Descend to a large ledge, around the nose half way down, and then further DCR. The rope will contact a sharp edge near the top, so it is recommended to creep the rope. Option 2: Descend in the center of the flow. It is pushy until half way down where the canyoner goes behind the curtain of water. Note: A rope was core shot here during the first descent—even though it was crept for all but the last person. Core shots from basalt in this region are typically a result of horizontal rope movement across a sharp edge. One mitigation strategy is for the last person to descend in the flow to avoid the sharp edge. It may also be possible to install a deviation anchor some distance below the primary anchor to further protect the rope (video demonstration). R3 15 ft / 5 m DCR - 1 bolt station R4 35 ft / 11 m DCL - boulder pinch Ahead, the canyon narrows into a deep crack about 20 ft / 7 m wide. You are approaching Crack of Doom. R5 150 ft / 46 m DCL - 2 bolt station Crack of Doom Pitch 1 The flow is split into roughly-equal halves. From the pitch head, descend through the flow, behind the curtain of water, and into a large and deep cavern. Stunning! From bottom of the cavern, descend a slanting ledge the final 50 ft / 30 m in heavy spray. The pitch ends in a waist-deep pool about 30 ft / 10 m long with howling, mist-filled wind. The rope pull is a concern, as the force of the water can push the rope end onto a ledge about 30 ft / 10 m above the pool. It is recommended to pull from a stance as far out as possible, near the R6 bolt station, and give a firm pull at the moment the rope end slides through the anchor. R6 150 ft / 46 m DCR - 2 bolt station Crack of Doom Pitch 2 Option 1: It is possible to stay out of the forceful water much of the way by walking down a fin on DCR. The fin is separated from the wall by a narrow crack about 8 in / 20 cm wide. Avoid foot entrapment in this crack. About 50 ft / 15 m from the bottom, gravity forces the canyoner to the slab in the center and through a heavy shower. The flow is dispersed here and not very pushy until the very bottom. Option 2: Transition to DCL in the first 20 ft / 7 m to a standing platform, and maintain the DCL line all the way down to the bottom. Part way down, there is a large cave behind the flow that provides a few moments of respite before proceeding down a crack about 4 ft / 1.3 m wide. This crack is full of forceful white water, visibility is poor, and careful foot placement is necessary. This is not recommended unless the flow is light. Below Crack of Doom, the canyon widens and includes mostly small rappels and downclimbs. R7 40 ft / 12 m DCR - boulder wrap R8 30 ft / 10 m DCL - pinch R9 35 ft / 12 m DCL - log

Follow the creek downstream about 20 minutes until it bifurcates (splits). The left fork (DCL) leads to the bridge and parking area. The right fork goes to a separate drainage (Wells Creek), so take heed! Downstream of the split, a fairly clear path is available in the forest DCR all the way to the road.