Rock Creek (Olympic Peninsula)

Rock Creek is a scenic canyon in the Olympic National Forest on the southeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula. After a bit of slippery creekwalking, the canyon features multiple rapid fire rappels into a steep valley leading to the South Fork Skokomish River. Run as a short/half day, or combine with nearby LeBar Creek or Fir Creek for a full day of canyoning.

From Hwy 101 north of Shelton, WA, turn left onto W Skokomish Valley Road, which eventually turns into FR 23. Drive about 11.4 miles from the highway to the parking area. Park at the pullout just west of the culvert where FR 23 crosses Rock creek (47.3743, -123.3172). Suit up here.

DCR = Down Canyon Right DCL = Down Canyon Left This canyon features numerous jumps. Always check pools for depth/debris before jumping! As of 2023, some pools in this canyon have been filled in with gravel and are shallower than in prior years. Immediately after the J4 pool, the canyon splits into two channels, offering different options for the final section of the canyon: Option 1: The Mossy Wall DCL: This is a multi-pitch rappel that keeps you in or alongside the flow. It is the preferred later season / lower flow route. Option 2: The Lagoon DCR: This sequence drops you into a large, deep pothole, followed by a bolted rappel. When the canyon is flowing moderate or lower, this side of the canyon becomes a dry route, and the water in the pothole can become stagnant, making it a better early season route. Use caution at it may also become a keeper pothole that is difficult to escape as the water level drops.

Just downstream of the final rappel, Rock Creek merges with Flat Creek (which is anything but flat) entering on the right via a small falls. The initial steepness of the exit is mercifully counterbalanced by the short distance back to the road. To exit: