Big Huckleberry Creek

An unassuming, overlooked creek in the proximity of the popular Panther Creek Falls in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. While it doesn't sport many rappels, Big Huckleberry is a beautiful canyon and an enjoyable day out. Best in the spring when the creek has good water. It's more fun than the nearby Eightmile Creek.

Drop a car at the bottom and shuttle up to the top. High clearance best per a couple rough spots. In 2023, the last mile or so was a bit brushy, so we parked at about 45.85707, -121.82293 and hiked in rather than risk pin-striping. (This will add +1mi (20min) to the approach, but it's almost completely flat.) If you can get through, there are pullouts for a few cars just before and after the creek. Follow the ridge on the east side of the creek and drop in at about 45.86750, -121.80825. This is just above a nice, narrow section of the creek. There's a nice section of bedrock with a few minor downclimbs. Some drops look like mini-slides, but scout them first. Not far ahead is R1. You can drop into the creek right at the road, but it's not worth it. Few cascades to downclimb and some minor water features, but lots of brush and Devil's Club. Not recommended.

Ahead Big Huckleberry Creek plunges into an amphitheater and another tributary of equal size - and another waterfall - enters from the east. For extra bonus points, set a rim rope ahead of time. You can run the falls, then ascend back up, bushwhack over to the tributary and run that waterfall too. Note that the flow downstream of R2 will double. Continue downstream. There's some interesting bedrock areas and one spot which, in high flow, can be a fun 50ft long "bobsled run." Eventually, enter another area of bedrock that kicks off with a short slide into a deep narrow pool. This bedrock area leads to R3. Continue downstream with occasional downclimbs and mini-slides to keep you on your toes. Very lush beautiful Pacific Northwest canyon. There is one mini-downclimb through a very short narrows which is fun.

Keep going until the creek passes through a culvert under the road. Exit DCR. Walk west down the road to the Panther Creek trailhead (2 min).