Elkhound Creek

Elkhound has interesting geology and would be worth doing, if it didn't require such effort to get there. The approach is a very long trail combined with a steep off trail hillside for a series of mild rappels and downclimbs. Nearby Sheepdog Creek has better stream walking as well. This canyon was easy enough to negotiate, but had a lot more avalanche debris to contend with. If deciding to make an overnight trip, consider tacking this one on to Sheepdog Creek, but only if completing everything is part of the mission. On the initial early July descent, days were warm and water flow was already low; wetsuits were not required.

Hiking time from trailhead: approximately 3.5 hours, 7.2 miles, with 2200 feet of elevation gain. Elkhound approach: 1 hour 45 minutes, 0.85 miles, with 1260 feet of elevation gain. Park at the Avalanche Creek Trailhead at the end of Avalanche Creek Road. The Avalanche Creek Campground is first‑come, first‑serve and has nine campsites. Hike 7.2 miles along Avalanche Creek, gaining about 2200 feet of elevation on a gently inclined but overgrown trail. Continue until the trail reaches Elkhound Creek, which is unnamed on topographic maps. Camping in one of the meadows beyond the Gift Creek trail junction, west of the Avalanche Creek Trail, is an option for staying in the area long enough to descend nearby canyons. From the point where the Avalanche Creek Trail crosses Elkhound Creek, continue south on the trail for approximately 750 feet, then leave the trail to the east and begin the 0.75‑mile, 1220‑foot ascent directly up the steep hillside. The suggested route uses several talus slopes to avoid thicker vegetation and unstable dirt sections in forested areas with many downed trees. R0: 80‑foot entrance rappel used to manage a final steep slope after contouring the hillside.

The Grandiorite rock layer forms low angle rappels that in some places are conducive to downclimbing and in others a rope adds security in terms of steeper angles or slippery algae growth. Grandiorite is akin to granite, but contains a higher percentage of feldspar, which gives it an off-white color. R1: 105' low angle rappel from a stand of willows in Canyon Center R2: 140' from a small tree on Canyon Right, better on rope than as a downclimb R3: 50' for 20' falls from willows on Canyon Right R4: 60' from a boulder for two short tiers several downclimbs R5: 115' from a small pine tree on Canyon Right several downclimbs R6: 65' from a tree on Canyon Left