Rachor Creek

An interesting canyon, with a lot going for it. The upper section has multiple small & medium size drops. As you pass the middle exit point the character changes and an enormous 300ft multistage waterfall dominates the lower section. Access poses a significant challenge since the canyon lies on private forest land. Permits are highly restrictive and expensive for vehicle access.

For the lowest pay-to-play ratio paying for a parking permit from Campbell Global logging company is the best way to go. If doing so, the exit hike becomes a 60 second walk and the approach hike is about 20 minutes. For the approach the drop in is JUST BELOW THE CANDY CANE shaped tube on the logging road. A pretty visible use trail has emerged to zig zag down to the watercourse right at rappel 1. If parking behind the gate, it will add several hours to your day. Total hiking approach is between 3.5 and 4 miles each way. The approach is on good logging roads, but cannot be driven without a motorized access pass and gate key. Mountain bikes make a great option for the approach, but retrieval can be complicated if exiting via option #1 or option #3. To get there take I-90 to exit 31 North Bend. Go 3.6 miles on North Bend Way and turn left on to Ballarat Ave. North. In 0.7 mile the main road turns right and becomes NE 12th Street. Go another half mile and the main road turns left and becomes 428th Ave SE. Follow the road for 2.9 miles. The name of the road changes to SE North Fork Road. After 2.9 miles you come to an intersection of North Fork Rd. SE and SE Ernie’s Grove Road. Bear left and drive up hill 0.4 mile to where the pavement ends. Continue about four more miles and you come to a major intersection with a gated road on the right. This is gate 11. From the gate, walk or bike about a mile and a half and cross the North Fork Snoqualmie River on a bridge. Turn right and go about a mile to an intersection. This is a good place to stash bikes if you are planning to complete the upper canyon or have figured out exit #2.

Upper Rachor Lower Rachor The 300ft falls rappel sequence has three pitches.

Upper Section If only doing the upper canyon proceed DCR from below Old Spur Falls and follow the overgrown logging road back to the log pile near SMC falls. Lower Section After the big falls, bag up your rope and get ready for some of the best downclimbing around. Downclimb about 1,000 feet or so until the first place the walls relent and there is a steep bear trail visible on DCR. 47.5445, -121.7115. Scramble and side step up a steep and very soft slope until you reach the edge of the clear cut. Stay on the faint bear trail most of the way. Stay out of the clear cut for easy hiking under the canopy near the top of the canyon ridge until you reach the cars. Resist the tendency to go left.