Fortknocker Falls

Fortknocker Falls is a quick/worthwhile outing, with plenty of in creek bushwhacking and downclimbs. Not nearly as good as the adjacent "Three Falls" canyon, but worthy to check out nonetheless.

The best place to start is where the three falls hiking/biking trail crosses North Three Falls Drive. Park on the side of the road here. After a few switchbacks you will cross over the bridge to Fort Creek (Three Falls). You can gain the ridge there between the two forks, or continue hiking a little ways before you reach the second bridge (your takeout). Gain the ridge and continue upwards and onwards for about 1000' vertical and about an hour of hiking. Watch out for nesting bees on the approach (we met a few on our way). Once you're up to the right elevation, you'll come to a small clearing with a tree in the middle. Continue NW over to the drainage for Fortknocker.

The canyon features considerable bushwhacking, logjams, and slippery downclimbing. There are 3 mandatory rappels (from natural anchors) depending on your group's experience and downclimbing capabilities. You may want to provide a handline for the more challenging and slippery downclimbs, or they can be easily rappelled, provided natural anchors are available. Prior to rap 1 there are a few sections that look like possible slides, Don't Do It! Shallow endings, fast moving, and dangerous. We tested the last/biggest of them all, no go. Sling the tree for a handline down, or bypass LDC. r1: 30' r2: 80' r3: 70' (2-stage) Following the rappels, you will still have some distance of bushwhacking and downclimbing. Before too long, it's over.