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Minimum Recomended Level:  50 cfs     Maximum Recomended Level:  150 cfs

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Other Issues Ultra committed canyon. High potential for wood and changes to rapids.

Fun Facts Runnable flows are found at the tail end of snowmelt before fall rain. This is typically a short window in October.

   Run Description [Season: October]

Dipper Creek is the Stikine of low volume steep creeks. It’s combination of gorges and whitewater rank it among the best creeks on the west coast. It is no doubt one of the most majestic places I’ve ever kayaked...however, just the thought of heading up to Dipper and dropping in makes me nervous. Much of the creek is within an ultra-committed canyon, culminating in the other-worldly Vertigo Canyon, surely among the most spectacular and awe-inspiring natural places in the world. Dipper Creek has all the whitewater you could ask for: straightforward waterfalls, difficult waterfalls, technical rapids, fun slides, and one monster slide. Although the entire creek has been run top-to-bottom (with only two mandatory portages), every time you put on you should treat the river as a first descent. Wood has moved and rapids have changed significantly in the short period that this creek has been known. The risks of getting trapped in this canyon are paramount and should not be ignored.

Dipper Creek is not a run to convince others to go do or let yourself be persuaded to go. This is especially true if you are going to drop into the canyon without positive beta from someone who has recently run it. You should prepare for it, and really come to terms with the fact that you are putting yourself in a place where the risks are many, but the rewards are manifold. In my opinion, a key component of safely dropping into the committed sections is having onshore safety within radio communication. Scouting some sections would be extremely difficult even with lots of time and climbing experience. The three mile run can be divided into at least five distinct sections plus one short section of the Squamish River. Despite having run Dipper the year before, in took three full days to run it all in 2010.

Section 1 “Big Dipper”:

This section is the least committed, but contains the largest drop. Carpenter Creek is a potential put-in, which will involve a lot of work but includes a great twenty-five foot waterfall as a reward. A short distance downstream from the Carpenter-Dipper confluence lies “Double Dip”, a two-tiered waterfall. The easiest way to get here is to make the hike down from the road, it takes around thirty minutes to get in and probably an hour to hike out. Below Double Dip lies a pool and a few small ledges that lead directly into “Big Dipper”, the largest drop on Dipper Creek. Although this drop has now been run over ten times, it has delivered some carnage in part due to the small cave on the right.

Section 2 “First Canyon”:

After the small, twisting waterfall below the big one, the river left wall scales up. In short order you will find a twenty-foot high slide and thirty-foot waterfall, and the classic “Rowdy Flatwater”. Past these drops you will come to a pinched hole with a backwash, scoutable high on river left or directly above from the left eddy. It can be portaged at river level on the left. Directly downstream is a mandatory portage around a wood choked slot. Expect this portage to take 1-3 hours, and it will be easiest with plenty of rope and rappel gear. If it’s getting late you can hike out of the canyon at this point.

Section 3 “Tenzing Norgay Canyon”:

As you are portaging, you will probably look downstream and see a chunky rapid disappearing into the darkness of the canyon. This is the entry to “Tenzing Norgay Canyon”. If running this drop into the unknown doesn’t make you nervous, you’re a lot braver than I am. This drop changed significantly between 2009 and 2010, and if it became unrunnable it would likely lock down the whole canyon. Below the entry there are a variety of rapids that includes one of the best on the run, and there is one portage around a waterfall that is facilitated by the huge logs choking it. It may be possible to climb out in a few places in this section, but it would not be easy.

Section 4 “Vertigo Canyon”:   

After Tenzing Norgay, the canyon opens up and the rapids turn to class II. There is an access point on the left. About a half mile downstream is the entry waterfall to “Vertigo Canyon”. Almost every waterfall in this canyon can be scouted from high above the river, and it would be foolish not to do this ahead of time. The entry waterfall is the most difficult drop. If run left-to-right, it will deliver a hard hit, but the risk of landing in the pocket on the left will be minimized. I’ve seen paddlers paddle out of here, but there has been a least one instance where a rope extraction was required. Below the entry there are a couple ledges leading into the main amphitheatre of Vertigo Gorge. The exit to this cathedral-like room, although intimidating, has always gone well. The final two waterfalls are straightforward as long as there is no wood.

Section 5: “Rocksplat Falls to Squamish Confluence”:

Below Vertigo Canyon there is a short section that leads to an obvious horizon line. Although “Rocksnot Falls” has been run, it’s name is not unwarranted and hauling your boat out of the canyon is recommended. A bit of a hike downstream will put you at the top of a twisting twenty-foot waterfall. Either run this on the left ducking under the fold of water banking of the right wall, or do a throw-and-go and recollect at the lip of the confluence waterfall, a fairly straightforward thirty-five footer.
Section 6: “Squamish River Gorge below Dipper Creek”

At the confluence with the Squamish River, there are two options: hike out by following Dipper Creek back upstream, or continue down through a gorge on the Squamish River. Like Dipper, one misplaced log could be disastrous, but the Squamish Gorge is worth running for its stupendous geology, if not its whitewater. After exiting the gorge, we found a promising looking spot on river left and hacked our way up to the road. I’m not sure how much farther you can go on the Squamish but it sounds like there are more gorges with potential issues.

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