Kane Creek

Kane Creek is a spectacular early spring canyon, ideally run shortly after the snow melts. The highlight of this route is Kane Falls, a massive waterfall formed where the creek pinches and then shoots down a 232' drop into a beautiful pool surrounded by giant house-sized boulders. It's one of those special places in this world that makes you feel small. Although a short canyon, the other rappels are fun and wet. Worth pairing with Able Creek for a fun full day of canyoning.

From Cougar, continue east on WA-503. After 18 miles, turn right onto FS-90 and shortly thereafter take your second right onto a logging road. In 0.4 miles, you will come upon a locked gate. Park here. Last year and this year the gate has been closed but unlocked. I called Rayioner 5/5/2025 and asked about driving into the property. They said the gate should be locked and not to access it with a vehicle. Continue hiking or biking up the logging road for 5 miles and 1000' of elevation gain until you reach (46.02742, -122.02529). Stash your bikes and suit up here. Drop into the drainage to the north, hiking for about 300-400 ft to reach the first rappel (46.02792, -122.02602).

R1 - 60' from DCR tree. R2 - 10' from DCL tree. Approach the big drop using a 30' traverse line from DCL tree to DCR tree, crossing the flow, which will bring you to the edge of the drop. R3 - Kane Falls - 245' off DCR tree. An absolutely glorious line at high flow. The waterfall is listed at 232' but With the current anchor location, a 70 meter rope is 15 feet too short to reach the pool. You have to get off and down climb. Be careful!! Continue hiking a short distance until Kane Creek meets the main drainage OR climb and traverse over to Able creek. Enter Able Creek -110' dry rappel. You are looking for a bare rock ridge point. 50 feet behind the ridge point is a tree with branches cut leaving 1 foot stubs. The anchor is 15 feet high in this tree and probably doesn't need to be this high. Caution: the rap line is chossy, you and your rope are going to dislodge rocks. Able R5 - 45ft single bolt DCR, drop the side of the flow and land in knee deep water. A mid flow line lands in the deep pool and its a swimmer. Able R6 - 80ft single bolt DCL near the the lip. Higher flow you might want to protect this approach, lower flow its an easy walk up.