Steel Creek

Less steel and more wood. This would be a delightful little creek were it not for a plethora of trees (some of them mighty in girth) which have fallen into the drainage. Our team noted an excessive number of fallen trees in the area and pondered on the health of the local forest. It's an okay creek and has some interesting sequences, but there are certainly better destinations in the Skykomish River Valley. It's a lengthy drive to get out here.

Steel Creek is located about nine miles west/northwest of LeBar Creek on FR 2394. As of 2023, the road is in decent shape but becomes progressively more overgrown as one travels west. As of 2023, some enterprising four-wheelers had cut a route in as far as Tebo Creek, but gave up shortly thereafter. We parked and hiked the road in, but, in future, one might be able to drive all the way to Steel which would cut off a good chunk of the approach & exit. If you can drive to Steel, there's a nice pullout just before the road bends right. Suit up at parking area, walk up the road a short distance, and descend into the creek wherever is easiest. A rappel might be required depending on where you enter the creek (R0). After checking the flow, head downstream. There are a couple of downclimbs before you reach R1.

DCR = Down Canyon Right DCL = Down Canyon Left Walk downstream a short distance. (All photos c/o Wade Hewitt.)