LeBar Creek

GETTING THERE

From US-101, head west on Skokomish Valley Road. Near the end of the road, take the right fork onto Govey Rd, heading steeply uphill. The road becomes dirt. Follow Forest Road 23 (also Forest Road 2353) towards Lebar Horse Camp. Shortly before the horse camp and take the right fork onto Forest Road 2354, which crosses the Skokomish River and T-Intersects back with Forest Road 2353. A sign points left towards Lebar Horse Camp. Just before reaching the horse camp, park a car at the Lower Skokomish Trailhead. To access the upper trailhead, go back towards the T-intersection, and take the other road and follow that road until it ends. The road gets quite brushy at the end—beware of your paint job on your car. There are a few good pull-outs for parking before it gets too brushy.

APPROACH

From the pullouts, it's a 2 min walk to a mediocre campsite at the end of the road. From the campsite, climb over the berm at the north end and follow an overgrown logging grade (aka decommissioned road) north about 0.5 mile. It's a little thrashy, but there is an old trail that comes and goes. Upon reaching a slide, leave the trail and descend steeply down the ridge (bushwhacking) to LeBar Creek.

DESCENT 

LeBar is primarily a stunning creek walk, with some simple downclimbs, and a few rappels. While the water is a3+/a4-, the terrain is fairly easy to navigate. Natural anchors are abundant. In the upper creek, there are two  rappels off log jams, both about 40 feet (a two-stage rappel may be closer to 60 feet). In the middle canyon, you'll encounter some of the most impressive log jams you've ever seen. They are mostly stable, but use caution. The log jams can be rappelled or jumped (bring webbing). The lower canyon narrows up, and includes a 15-foot jump into a deep pool. This can be rappelled from a log. It can also be lapped for those who love jumping. It also includes a somewhat mandatory technical jump. The jump is 12 feet, with an easy launch and landing, but precision is important (as is checking pool depth) to avoid a large rock. After this jump, there are a few easy downclimbs, and a beautiful creek walk to exit.

EXIT

Walk the creek to the campground being respectful of campers. Exit to the road, where your car is parked.

EQUIPMENT

Standard canyoning gear including webbing, a wrench, and replacement quick links. 

TRIP PROFILE

• Rappels: 3-5
• Longest Rappel: 60 feet
• Approach: ~ 1 mile
• Exit: ~0.75 mile 
• Time: 5-7 hours total

NOTES

• This canyon is rated v3a4III at moderate-low water levels, and v3a5III in early to mid-season. 
• For more information and recent trip reports from the community, visit the Lebar listing at ropewiki.

• Suitable Activities: Canyoning
• Seasons: July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Basic Canyon

• Land Manager: Olympic National Forest
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 10
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12