Chinook Creek

Another nice friendly canyon in Mt. Rainier National Park that parallels the seldom-visited East Side Trail. Chinook hosts a number of beautiful falls, culminating in a big 130ft drop. Access is surprisingly easy. A competent fast-moving team could probably run this in 3-4hrs. Chinook might be nice when combined with another short canyon in the area... possibly Panther Creek or Klickitat just down the road.

From the parking area, take the East Side Trail downwards about 0.5mi. Leave the trail and walk 500ft (it'd be a stretch to call it bushwhacking) into the creek just before the first drop. There is a nice area to suit up just before you drop in.

Immediately below the place where you drop in, the adventure begins. R5 and R6 compose Chinook Creek Falls. Given its magnitude, bit surprising this falls doesn't have a legit trail leading to it. This ends the technical section. Be sure to look back for a great view of Chinook Falls.

After the last rappel, head downstream about 200yrds. The creek degenerates here into a field of boulders, fallen logs and unstable debris. Keep going until it's easy to step out of the creek into the forest DCR. In August 2020, there were several very large cut logs lying in the creek which were a good signal that you're at the exit. Look for a faint user trail that leads up the slope all of 30 seconds to reach the official East Side Trail. Again, no bushwhacking. Follow the East Side trail right/upwards about 1mi, 900ft gain back to the trailhead and your waiting vehicles.