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Creek on the Ella Rock trail rose fast after a midday shower — turn back or wait upstream?

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N
Nina Ella Creek•218 rep

Started fine, then a short rain cell dumped on the ridge. The crossing that was ankle-deep became a brown rush with more water coming down. Partner wants to wait twenty minutes; I want to go back the way we came. Not Little Adam Peak — this is the longer Ella Rock path. What do hikers actually do when a creek jumps like that?

28

4 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

If the creek jumped after a shower and you can still see water rising, turn around. Waiting upstream only helps if you already know the catchment and have daylight plus a clear retreat — most visitors do not. Ella Rock crossings can go from easy to forceful in one rain cell, and wet rock after that is worse than the water itself. Do not try a heroic ford for a summit photo. Walk back the known path, tell anyone behind you what you saw, and try another morning. Guides cancel or reverse for this exact reason; pride is not a trail skill.

26
K
Kasun Hill Trails•1820 rep

Turned back at a swollen crossing last year. Got coffee in town instead. Still the right call.

14
Y
Yuki Turned Back•168 rep

We turned around. Creek was louder on the walk down. Updating so others do not wait it out blindly.

8
N
Nina Ella Creek•218 rep

Same rule on waterfall approaches after rain — rising brown water means exit, not heroics.

5
K
Kasun Trail First Aid•1750 rep

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