Cunningham Creek

A handful of very nice aquatic waterfalls makes this a short but enjoyable route, with both the approach and exit being quick and straightforward. The surrounding valley is beautiful, and the two rappels are high‑quality—enough that some will find the outing worthwhile. If only the technical section were a bit longer… Later in the season, this can be a great place to introduce someone new to canyoning who wants a more aquatic experience without committing to a long or difficult descent. Cunningham Creek can also be combined with nearby Mountaineer Creek for a fuller day of exploration.

Drive: from W 12th and Greene St in Silverton, drive 4.4 miles East out of town on CR 2. Turn South at Howardsville on CR4 for another 4.5 miles and turn Left at the fork to the Highland Mary Lake Trailhead. Hike up the trail for a quarter mile noting smaller cascades in Cunningham Creek on the right. Once above an obvious cut through a cliff band, depart the trail and approach the creek.

R1: 50’ from a tree on Canyon Left. Can be done inside or outside of the flow. Lands in a shallow pool below. R2: 30' from a rock horn / pinch Canyon Right into a narrow pour spout and a neat alcove with a waist depth pool. You will be directly in the waterflow on this rappel and in higher flow pummeled by a rooster tail. After R2, leave the alcove by downclimbing a small fall and continue downstream until it's easier to regain the trail.

Follow the trail downhill to the car.