Sombrio Creek (Upper)

Upper Sombrio is a great addition to Sombrio Creek or a standalone canyon along the Juan de Fuca. This canyon has features not necessarily found in the lower section with a great introduction some small rappels in flow, amazing large and technical jumps and a few slides. There are a few mandatory technical and large jumps for at least one team member be prepared as this could stop you in your tracks.

Follow Hwy 14 from Victoria toward Port Renfrew. After Passing though Jordan River and into the Juan de Fuca park, after the two small bridges first one going over Lost Creek and the second over Jack Elliott Creek turn right onto Jack Elliott Main. Continue on this logging road for 3km and keeping to the left. at around the 3km mark there's a fork in the road continue to the left and you will end up in an opening. After parking there looks to the north-east for pink flagging tape a well-defined trail will appear just pass the initial brush. Continue along this trail for 400m to reach a small creek (48.52424, -124.26296). This creek is the middle entrance, and you may proceed down this for a shorter version of this canyon. If you continue along this trail keeping to the left for another 1.2km. A faith creek will appear on the left at around (48.53023, -124.26249) Follow beside this faith waterway down to the main river around 200m. There isn't an established trail as of fall 2025.

After entering the canyon walk down river and you will arrive at the first feature of the Upper Section. If you choose the shorter approach and entered the canyon via the small creek 400m into the hike you'll encounter. You now join back into the Upper Section. Following the 400m river walk. a small series of switchbacks lead to: This leads to a section of small downclimbs and shallow jump for around 400m you'll enter a slot canyon where you'll proceed to: This then leads to a section of river walking for about 500M until you reach a small switch back with a large log. Following this section leads to 600m of river walking until you pass a large red cedar on canyon right. Shortly afterwards you'll find. Once you cross into an opening, you'll see the highway bridge choose to exit there on canyon left or continue down Sombrio Creek and Join that canyon.

Once you've reached the Highway 14 bridge, walk up the loose slope to the road on canyon left.