Fools Canyon (Olympic Peninsula)

A fun non-technical narrows on the Middle Fork Statsop River. Looking for a chill day with some swimming and jumps between technical outings? Go no further. Have your flotation dialed on this one as there are some long swims. Wetsuit definitely a good idea as you will be spending a lot of time in the water. Harness, ropes, etc. not necessary as of 2021, but bring a helmet per scrambling about on slippery rock.

Park at a pullout on either side of the bridge (47.31275, -123.45230) and hike down into the creek. Suit up and walk in. There's an easy way down on the south side just upstream of the bridge.

Just head downstream. It's your typical creek walk at first, until the Statsop River enters DCR. The flow will double. Just below this, suddenly the creek narrows up. You are entering the Fools Canyon. For the next 1.3mi, pass through some lovely narrows. You'll be walking, wading, rock-hopping and swimming. Scenery is great with sections of beautiful polished bedrock. There are some long water-filled corridors, where, with sufficient flotation, you can jump into the current and ride the flow. You'll occasionally have to hop out to warm up, bypass some small rapids, or climb up and over obstacles. There's lots of jump potential. Here are some way-points to mark your progress: Below the dam, make your way through an area of slippery rocks and one last swim before the canyon walls fall back.

Suggested exit: Upon swimming the last pool in the narrows, the canyon opens up. Climb out onto the rocks DCL and locate a gully/drainage entering here. Start your way up the climber's right side of the gully, breaking off almost immediately to climb up the nose of a ridge. Follow game trails upwards (easy) for 100ft or so to a relatively flat bench. Bear left a bit on a gentle ascent until you reach the road. Mostly open forest and few obstructions. Once on the road, walk (or shuttle) 1mi back to your car at the bridge. (Jun 2021 - couldn't identify drainage. Bushwhacked straight up from ~150ft after the canyon exit, steep but after not too long it drastically plateaus-off, as you head into the forestry trees trend slightly left and up a easier climb to meet the road at the closest point. 20mins - much quicker than I had expected). Alternative exit, taken from original beta: When you emerge from the lower end of the canyon continue downstream about a quarter mile. There is a very crude road (too rough even for four wheel drive) running closely along side the left side of the river. This road is not readily visible from the river so you will have to scramble a very short distance up the river bank to find it. Once on the road, follow it upstream as it parallels the river. It soon goes uphill and turns east. When you come to a good dirt road bear right, and you will be back to Forest Service Road 2341 in a quarter mile. Turn left to return to your vehicle. Either way, by the time you're back at the road you'll be missing that cool canyon water!