Alec Creek

Another lesser tributary of the Lewis River located just west of the Lewis River Horse Camp. Alec was probably run for the first time in August 2017 and proved to be an okay creek, but not a spectacular one. The drainage loses some allure per the numerous logjams that one has to climb over/under/around/through. there are long walks between the rappels and a number of them could probably be bypassed. Alec has good access both at the top and bottom. There is evidence that Alec can see extremely high water early in the season. There are better options in the neighborhood, however. A good checkpoint is from the bridge on FR 90 over Alec Creek.

From the Lewis River trailhead: Head back west on FR 90 for 0.2mi and turn right/north on FR 93. Drive up past the Horse Camp for 0.9mi before turning off left on an unnamed forest road past a defunct gate. Drive up the road for 0.8mi and park at a junction. There is room for several vehicles just off the road at the junction. Drive-time: 5-10min. Drop west off the road and hike down through relatively easy open forest until you reach Alec Creek below. The upper part of the creek seems to be a somewhat swampy area. We headed downstream maybe 0.1mi (easiest hiking seems to be in the creek) until the braided sections of creek merge. There are a number of gravel bars which make a good place to suit wetsuit up. On a hot day with low water, one could probably get away without a wetsuit on this one.

Continue downstream, climbing over and bypassing various obstacles. Pass through a large boulder garden. There are an inordinate number of logjams in this creek... result of old logging further upstream? The next two drops come in quick succession down under a logjam. We ran them as two rappels, but it might be feasible to combine them from the same anchor. After hiking some distance, reach a long stretch of bedrock and easy walking. Not far ahead is FR 90 bridge which is a sign the end of the canyon is drawing near. There's some great bedrock and pools under the bridge. Reach a big logjam below R6. In 2017 it was possible to bypass DCL doing a couple of easy slides down bare bedrock undeneath the jam.

Keep going downstream until you reach the hiker's bridge (aka maintained Lewis River Trail) over Alec Creek. Exit the creek DCR, cross the bridge, and follow the trail east up past the Upper Falls and Taitnapum Falls on the Lewis River. Just before the trail crosses FR90, you'll reach a junction. Bear left for 1min to your car at the lower trailhead. Hike time: 5-10min.