Soda Creek (Jervis Inlet)

Soda Creek dazzles visitors to Jervis Inlet with a stunning waterfall that cuts through moss-covered granite and tumbles into the ocean alongside a wall of ivory barnacles and purple sea stars. From the water, the eagle-eyed will catch a glimpse of the narrow, dark slot above, enticing eager canyoners to come and take a closer look. After a scenic meander through the forest, Soda Creek greets canyoners with a shallow slot that turns into a deep slot and ends with a final rappel that drops straight into the ocean. The final rappel is likely one of the most unique features of any canyon in the PNW. Accessing Soda Creek is a multi-sport adventure requiring watercraft and overnight camping gear along with canyoning gear. Combining Soda along with nearby canyons Seshal Creek and Osgood Creek makes for a fantastic long weekend of canyoning.

Reaching Soda Creek requires paddling across Jervis Inlet. From the campsite, paddle or boat southwest across the inlet to Soda Creek. You can spot the last waterfall from camp. The crossing is between 3-4km depending on if you paddle as the crow flies or cross the inlet directly and then paddle along the shore, and takes about an hour in packrafts. Remember that this is the ocean. Jervis Inlet around Soda Creek has been known to have high winds and 1m+ waves, even on nice sunny days. If the winds and tides pick up, this can be a serious water crossing and should be treated as such. When you reach the mouth of Soda Creek, disembark on a small landing zone on a rocky slab on paddler’s left (canyon right). Be sure to stow packrafts well above the high tide line. There is a social trail DCR to scramble to the top of the last waterfall and glimpse into the slot canyon above. Once your watercraft is safely stowed, begin heading uphill on the canyon right side of Soda Creek. Follow a social trail that starts off great and then peters out as you near the halfway point of the approach. Travel is relatively easy through moss-covered forest with only minimal bushwhacking. Find a friendly slope to drop into the creek around 49.99549, -123.94620.

From the drop-in, it’s a short creek walk to the first slide. S1 - 4m low angle slide. R1 - 6m rappel from high DCL tree. R2 - 9m rappel from single bolt DCL. R3 - 6m rappel from single bolt DCR. S2 - 6m slide. R4 - 12m rappel from single bolt DCL. S3/J1 - 3m slide or jump. S4 - 4m slide on dry slab DCL of the flow into a pool. R5 - 10m rappel or controlled slide from single bolt DCR. S5 - 4m slide. R6 - 12m rappel from single bolt DCR. R7 - 12m rappel from single bolt DCR. S6 - 6m slide. R8 - 10m rappel from single bolt DCL. This is a multi-stage rappel traversing through a small pothole. R9 - 15m rappel from single bolt DCR. There’s not much room to gather at the far end of the pool, so sequence well. R10 - 7m rappel from single bolt DCL. The slot opens and you are greeted with beautiful views of the ocean. R11 - Soda Creek Falls - 15m rappel into the ocean! from single bolt DCL.

Swim 10m from the bottom of the last rappel to the rock landing where you stowed your watercraft.