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Wellman Basin Adventure

The So-Bahli Alhi Glacier on Whitehorse Mountain drains into Wellman Basin providing substantial and reliable flow, making it a good late season canyoning route. A long day out, best accomplished with a gravel bike to cut down on the approach and exit.

GETTING THERE

From Arlington, take SR 530 east for 24 miles (about 30mins). Turn right onto an obscure gravel road (48.2695, -121.6722) that soon ends at a locked gate. Park at the gate making sure you are not blocking access. There is a residence on the right side of the road so please be respectful. From Darrington, head west on SR 530 for 3.8 miles and turn left onto the gravel road (48.2695, -121.6722).

APPROACH

Due to the unfriendly prickly vegetation of the worst kind on the approach, it is highly recommended to bring gardening gloves or electrician gloves, and quick dry long pants and long sleeves. Allow for 3.5 - 4 hours for the total approach. 

Leg 1:  Logging Road (2.2 miles, ~25 mins by bike, or ~75 mins on foot).  A mostly flat gravel logging road that can be walked or easily ridden on a bike (highly recommended). Stay left at a split in the road (48.2545, -121.6621). Soon you will encounter a large berm which you can bypass on the left. Continue several hundred feet and hide bikes in the forest.

Leg 2:  Forest and Creekbed (1 mile, 400' elevation gain, ~45 mins). Push through a few feet of dense vegetation to enter the forest. The walk through the forest is easy. In ~10 mins you'll reach a dry creekbed. Ascend the creekbed, crossing numerous fallen logs to the the base of the falls. Assess the flow, snow and ice obstacles from here and turn around if conditions warrant. Fill up water bottles, put on gloves, long sleeves and long pants for the next leg.

Leg 3:  Uphill Bushwhack (0.3 miles, 700' elevation gain, ~1.5 to 2 hrs). The infamous Wellman bushwhack approach. From the canyon bottom backtrack to a large boulder on creek left. Scramble up past this boulder and traverse left across the hillside looking for a suitable spot to enter the brush. Ascend through the dense Vine Maple and Devil's Club, angling to the left slightly as you climb. Once you reach around 1,800' elevation, begin traversing to the left. Soon you'll reach a rocky outcrop with a view into the canyon below. Don helmets and work your way down the steep and chossy slope to the canyon floor.

Descent

Follow the water course through a series of rappels, downclimbs, and jumps. The water is cold, and at times you'll be right in it! Be sure to dress appropriately.

EXIT

Reverse your approach route less the infamous bushwack - head down the creekbed, through the forest, and down the old logging road to the gate and vehicles. 

  • Difficulty: Intermediate Canyon
  • Length: 7.5 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
  • 1,800 ft
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