Canyon Creek (S.F. Still. trib)

3 - Fishing Access site to S.Fork Stillaguamish(Lower)

Reach banner
DifficultyIV-V
Length1.5 mi
Avg Gradient111 fpm
GaugeSf Stillaguamish River Near Granite Falls, Wa
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
4.15 ftbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedFebruary 18, 2026

River Description

This is great little creek run with plenty of action packed into it's short length. It is a good alternative when Robe Canyon is a little high or a fun class 4 run at lower levels and an excellent option for a quick run in the area. It is a low elevation creek that primarily flows during winter rain events and the early part of snow melt November through May.

The run features approximately half a dozen great sequences of rapids consisting of ledges and tight boulder gardens with continuous whitewater all the way to the confluence with the South Fork Stillagaumish.

The first ledge comes within a short distance of the put-in. You can check it out before committing to the run by driving to the park at the end of Canyon Drive (0.2 miles downstream from the put-in). If you like what you see be prepared for more rapids similar to this one and a couple that are a bit more challenging. Most of the rapids on this run can be scouted fairly easily as long as you're confident in your ability to catch small eddies. Once you navigate this first rapid and pass under the bridge you enter the canyon and leave the houses behind.

You should be able to boat scout the next two rapids which can be run on the left. You'll soon be to one of the more challenging drops which consists of a long lead-in to a large mid-stream boulder with horizon lines to either side. You'll have to commit to the first part of the rapid and then a micro eddy on river left gives you a spot to scout just before the final horizon line, but it's easy to blow the eddy especially at higher flows so use caution. The far right side is generally the preferred line, but the left is possible too.

You've got a short pool before the next challenging rapid on the run. Grab an eddy on the right and scramble out to scout. Wood sometimes limits your options so make sure to check before committing. The best route is along the right through the first two pitches but there is also a potential route down

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River Features

WDFW Water Access Put-In

Distance: 0 mi

This is a small river access site on Canyon Creek managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The site is a simple access for hand-carry craft with no amenities.

Jordan Road Bridge Take-out

Distance: 1.5 mi
Take Out

Canyon Creek joins the South Fork Stillaguamish and from there it is just a few paddle strokes to the Jordan Road Bridge that serves as an access point and take-out for this run. The access is on the upstream river right side of the bridge.


TK
Timothy Kelley

Jun 8, 2017


The ever-changing rapid pictured here at lower flows.

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Untitled

Feb 2, 2009


according to professorpaddle.com CC is completely wood free as of now

KB
Kennet Belenky

Nov 17, 2005


I lost a throw rope somewhere just after the first ledge. We ran the gorge and didn't see any trace of it. It's probably pinned to the bottom somewhere. It was running 6.5' that day. Perhaps it will surface at lower water. If you see it, please let me know.

We had a good day and a good flow on Canyon Creek. Tom, Mark, Omar, Mike, and Willie were on the trip.

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Untitled

Jan 1, 1900


This is the river-right side of the IV+ drop. this can be a tough one to scout or portage. It appears after some III boogie water that starts just below the trashy headwall rapid. This rapid leads immediately into the class V drop shown in the Big Drop video clips.
This is the end of the long IV runout of the big drop. Stay right.

CF
chris fee

Jan 1, 1900


1st drop of the run.