First Known Descent, Round Meadow Creek Meadows of Dan, VA
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 6:55 pm
Wanted to share this sweet class 4 creek in Meadows of Dan, VA just off the Parkway in Patrick County, Virginia with everyone. I hope some will take the opportunity to experience this great creek so close to home. I am going to paste a write-up I made for another website on here, Its a bit long but has useful info for those wishing to give it a shot. This creek is similar in difficulty to Staton's Creek, West Fork French Broad and Upper Rocky Broad. Check out the pictures using this link,
http://www.boatertalk.com/gallery/galle ... vspkayaker
The link to the video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ZWD84BxKI
First of all, thanks to all the guys that helped me clean this sweet
creek out (Dan and Riley). I started working on this about 2 years
ago, the area is snake heaven and I have a serious snake phobia so
cleaning it was very seasonal. This past winter several of us went
and cleaned the creek bit by bit, well worth it I must add.
The creek is supprisingly very accessible and runs frequently, It
requires about 1 inch of rain in a 12-18 hour period, which happens
very often in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. I have met with the put-in
land owner and expressed interest I have for my access as well as
securing access for others, he is very understanding and seemed very
interested in helping with our cause. He stated his only concern was
people walking around his house and eating lunch on his deck, I
imagine that will not be a problem. There is limited parking, so for
those wanting to run the creek park along side squirel spur road,
which has adequate parking for several vehicles. The easier section
of the creek is the first 1.5 mile, which is the only land that
access is potentially an issue. The last 1.5 mile section of this
creek is the steepest, it is also owned by the City of Danville. That
may seem quite confusing but Danville uses the lake to channel water
to a hydro plant 3 miles downstream to make power for Danville during
peak times of the year.
The City of Danville requires a permit which is very easy to obtain,
you call 276-251-5141 and ask the hydro worker to fax a permit
request to you, fill the permit out fax it back then they will fax
you the lock combination. It takes 10 minutes tops, you can also stop
by the hydro plant in Ararat, VA off of Kibler Valley Road and obtain
a permit in person, but the drive adds 1 hour to the trip. The City
of Danville requires that all visitors be out of the property by
5p.m., the only downfall to the creek. They also request no dogs.
There is a good side to this, the creek is super fun, very fast to
run, and after a fun day on the river you paddle 300 yards from the
creek across the lake to the parking lot and get your ride that has
not been broken into and either get another run or head off. Dan
Richardson and I have made a point to suck up to the Property
custodians, they are very receptive. The guys are good ol country
boys who love there jobs and the area, if you show concern for
preserving the area they are very friendly, however one piece of
trash thrown out of a vehicle could ruin this gem for all paddlers.
Its no green narrows but its a hell of alot of fun for the Roanoke,
Blacksburg, Martinsville, Triad, NC paddling crews and anyone else
wanting to make the drive.
In regards to the steeper section of the run, Will Selle did take
some video of the run, but we were very rushed for time and he only
taped a couple of rapids. This run is no powder puff run, we
discussed its rating very throughly and said its class 3-4 with one 5
possible two 5's. The last mile to 1.5 mile is very very continus,
the rapids are not 50 footers but it would be very easy to wash into
a 18 footer or a 35 foot water slide. Swims on this creek would be
very painful and very long. I will not pump this run above what it is
but do want to give the respect it deserves. I cleaned all of the in-
play wood out of the creek, for a while it should be good to go, but
do keep a good lookout for new wood. This area is very remote, an
injury in this gorge would be similar to hiking out of the Narrows or
worse, the gorge is nearly straight up and very rugged, if an injury
was to occur and help was needed walk to the right side of the creek,
its the fastest way to assistance.
For those needing more info about running this section, email me at
vspkayaker@... or call 276-692-5636. I live 20 minutes from the
put-in which is only 3 more minutes to the take out. I usually can
tell without looking if it will be running or not. If your like me
and rather do things your self visit www.afws.net click Virginia then
click Patrick County and look at numbers 1095, 1090 and 1091 you will
need at least 1 inch in the past 12-18 hours, the more the merrier.
At the putin there is a culvert, before the culvert is a sandbar that
will change in time but for the past year it has been very reliable,
if this sandbar is 3 or more inches below water its good to go, if
you cant even see the sandbar your in for a treat. The first decent
was 2-3 inches above the sandbar and we all agree it was very fun but
with more water it would have been serious fun.
I appreciatte all the guys (miles, dan, will, matt) heading from
Greensboro on Monday to finally get the run in, I hope that many more
groups will take the trip. Its an area of Virgnia that is untouched
and is really an experience. I also hope any groups heading to the
area will give me a buzz and let me know how it went and if possible
an invitation to join. We are all here for the same reason to get to
the take out and have some fun.
Since most of Coastals members are close to this creek I
imagine it will become a very popular spot to kayak. I do want to
make sure I explain some of its features to provide info and protect
boaters whose skills may not be prepared for this creek. The creek
starts with class 2-3 ledges up to 3 feet in height. The higher the
water the bigger the holes, some will get big and sticky. The class 2-
3 section last for about 1 mile. If the creek consisted of only this
section it would be suitable for seasoned beginners and
intermediates, but it does not. The next 3/4th mile steps up to solid
class 3 slides linked back to back with numerous 3-6 foot ledges and
off angle slides. I would rate this section class 3. After you duck
under a riverwide tree about 2.5 feet off the water get ready. This
marks the beginning of the steep section.
The steep section consists of very steep slides many with pin rocks
and undercut rocks. The slides link back to back with micro eddies in
between some rapids. The slides have very sticky holes at the bottom
of the drops and with more water will be come quite retentive. The
middle of the slide section drops into a rapid we named Wall Check.
Wall Check is a mini version of Headless Horseman on the Ravens Fork.
It is undercut on the left and the water pillows up into medium sized
holes before leading out. The drop is estimated at 10-15 vertical
feet over a 30-40 foot rapid. Its not very hard but a swin could be
dangerous. Immediately after this rapid is a long 30 foot slide that
is rocky and has many holes It ends into a small pool. This pool is
above the 3rd largest rapid on the river, it can also be recognized
by a tree 6 feet off the water across the river. Scout this rapid.
This is a very long, steep and bumpy slide that has a large hole at
the bottom. This slide is named dos equis hangover. It is very
similar to some of the slides on the West Fork French Broad. Be sure
to round up swimmers here, a swim down this rapid would HURT!!! I
rate this rapid class 4. Below this large slide the rapids takes a
turn to the right in the middle of the turn is another slide about 10
vertical feet in 20-30 feet, It has a nice boof at the bottom as well
as a nice hole. Below this rapid get ready the steep section picks up
from class 3-4 to class 3-5. There is .2 mile of boggie water that
drops takes you to a real nice eddy located on river right, you can
tell this by seeing the river clogged with wood on the river right
and a passage way on river left. EDDY out and SCOUT!!!!! You are now
100 feet above Balls To The Wall.
Ball to the Wall is a solid class 5, without question. It is an 18
foot drop that has a tricky enterance. The water slams into a huge
rock wall on river right. You have got to stay left to avoid smashing
your boat and body or worse. The portage is terrible but much better
than messing this rapid up. The video makes it look easy but remember
looks can be deceiving. This is a very hard rapid. If you do run the
rapid it drops into a nice deep pool. The hard part is keeping away
from the undercut right side rock wall. The exit from this pool is 2
to 3 feet wide and like I said is undercut on the right. The water is
very swirly the hole is sticky and the drop has a deep cave behind
the curtain of the water.
After exiting through the slot you have a 10 foot pool, the next drop
is a 10 foot slide with undercuts on both sides of the river. This
ends in a 20 foot pool with a small eddy on the right. This is the
pool above Baby GO LEFT. This rapid is a mini version of Go Left and
Die on the Green. You start by going over a log just under the
surface then make a right turn staying upright and go through a slot
on the right side. The bottom of this drop has a large hole. Below
this rapid is some class 2-3 for a ways, you will pass the tributary
of Mayberry Creek which add quite a bit of water. You will continue
to very wide section of the creek, stay left. You will go around an
island and work your way through a 5 foot wide slot which puts you at
a 4 foot ledge with high pin potential. Go with speed an boof off
this ledge with right angle. Keep you bow up. There are some
undercuts on the left side after this drop. Following this drop you
will take a corner to the 4th largest rapid on the creek.
Catch an eddy and scout after the rapid above, walk 100-200 yards and
scout Birth Canal. Its very steep and Fast and once you start it will
be hard to stop. This rapid will commonly have wood at the top of the
drop, so be very careful. Before we cleaned the creek out we called
this rapid Sudden Death due to all the strainers. Its clean now but
will fill back up so be on the look out, I will try to keep it clean.
The rapid is about 40-50 feet long. It starts with small ledges that
lead to a 3 foot wide slot on river right. Keep you bow up and have
speed. Do not swim this rapid or get turned before the rapid, a pin
would be terrible at the top. The bottom of this drop has a very deep
sticky hole. As soon as you get below this rapid look for one of two
eddies on river right, catch one and scout the last rapid. This is
very long and steep.
The last major rapid is largest of all rapids but not as hard or
dangerous as balls to the wall. It is about a 30-35 foot water slide
that has a 8-10 foot near vertical ledge at the end that has a sticky
hole at the bottom. The right side has two hanging undercuts that you
must avoid by driving left. The drop had a very dangerous piton rock
at the bottom right so stay left. The exit to this rapid is 3-4 feet
wide and is very close to the sticky hole. Below this rapid stay
right to avoid wood and boat the last .5 mile of class 3 drops. The
lake will greet you. Paddle 300 yards and when you see the dam look
right and your at the parking lot, ready for a beer or one more run.
This creek is so much fun, but please make sure you have the skills
to succesfully navigate the rapids. It is not a class 3-4 creek. Its
a class 4 creek with a serious class 5. Though some of the rapids are
class 2-3 the harder rapids are very hard to portage and would be
very easy to run accidentially. If you are running Whitetop Laurel
with no swim, wilson creek at above zero with no swim and watagua
with no swims your probally ready to take on this creek. It is
similar in difficulty to west fork french broad and upper rocky broad
with its own character thrown in. With higher water it will get much
harder. I have paddled with many SRVCC members and I am very happy to
share this awesome find. I hope many of who have the skills will give
it a shot, for the ones who may not be ready you now have something
close to home to look forward to. I will be happy to show anyone down
who feels they are ready to go. This will run very often and I intend
on being there very often. I plan on making an AW page soon with more
pictures. As I run the creek more i will take many more pictures to
share with everyone. Let me know what you think and if you have any
question please ask. I look forward to boating with you on this super
fun creek.
I will post some of the pictures ont the SRVCC website.
Sorry for the long write-up
Eric O'Connell
http://www.boatertalk.com/gallery/galle ... vspkayaker
The link to the video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ZWD84BxKI
First of all, thanks to all the guys that helped me clean this sweet
creek out (Dan and Riley). I started working on this about 2 years
ago, the area is snake heaven and I have a serious snake phobia so
cleaning it was very seasonal. This past winter several of us went
and cleaned the creek bit by bit, well worth it I must add.
The creek is supprisingly very accessible and runs frequently, It
requires about 1 inch of rain in a 12-18 hour period, which happens
very often in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. I have met with the put-in
land owner and expressed interest I have for my access as well as
securing access for others, he is very understanding and seemed very
interested in helping with our cause. He stated his only concern was
people walking around his house and eating lunch on his deck, I
imagine that will not be a problem. There is limited parking, so for
those wanting to run the creek park along side squirel spur road,
which has adequate parking for several vehicles. The easier section
of the creek is the first 1.5 mile, which is the only land that
access is potentially an issue. The last 1.5 mile section of this
creek is the steepest, it is also owned by the City of Danville. That
may seem quite confusing but Danville uses the lake to channel water
to a hydro plant 3 miles downstream to make power for Danville during
peak times of the year.
The City of Danville requires a permit which is very easy to obtain,
you call 276-251-5141 and ask the hydro worker to fax a permit
request to you, fill the permit out fax it back then they will fax
you the lock combination. It takes 10 minutes tops, you can also stop
by the hydro plant in Ararat, VA off of Kibler Valley Road and obtain
a permit in person, but the drive adds 1 hour to the trip. The City
of Danville requires that all visitors be out of the property by
5p.m., the only downfall to the creek. They also request no dogs.
There is a good side to this, the creek is super fun, very fast to
run, and after a fun day on the river you paddle 300 yards from the
creek across the lake to the parking lot and get your ride that has
not been broken into and either get another run or head off. Dan
Richardson and I have made a point to suck up to the Property
custodians, they are very receptive. The guys are good ol country
boys who love there jobs and the area, if you show concern for
preserving the area they are very friendly, however one piece of
trash thrown out of a vehicle could ruin this gem for all paddlers.
Its no green narrows but its a hell of alot of fun for the Roanoke,
Blacksburg, Martinsville, Triad, NC paddling crews and anyone else
wanting to make the drive.
In regards to the steeper section of the run, Will Selle did take
some video of the run, but we were very rushed for time and he only
taped a couple of rapids. This run is no powder puff run, we
discussed its rating very throughly and said its class 3-4 with one 5
possible two 5's. The last mile to 1.5 mile is very very continus,
the rapids are not 50 footers but it would be very easy to wash into
a 18 footer or a 35 foot water slide. Swims on this creek would be
very painful and very long. I will not pump this run above what it is
but do want to give the respect it deserves. I cleaned all of the in-
play wood out of the creek, for a while it should be good to go, but
do keep a good lookout for new wood. This area is very remote, an
injury in this gorge would be similar to hiking out of the Narrows or
worse, the gorge is nearly straight up and very rugged, if an injury
was to occur and help was needed walk to the right side of the creek,
its the fastest way to assistance.
For those needing more info about running this section, email me at
vspkayaker@... or call 276-692-5636. I live 20 minutes from the
put-in which is only 3 more minutes to the take out. I usually can
tell without looking if it will be running or not. If your like me
and rather do things your self visit www.afws.net click Virginia then
click Patrick County and look at numbers 1095, 1090 and 1091 you will
need at least 1 inch in the past 12-18 hours, the more the merrier.
At the putin there is a culvert, before the culvert is a sandbar that
will change in time but for the past year it has been very reliable,
if this sandbar is 3 or more inches below water its good to go, if
you cant even see the sandbar your in for a treat. The first decent
was 2-3 inches above the sandbar and we all agree it was very fun but
with more water it would have been serious fun.
I appreciatte all the guys (miles, dan, will, matt) heading from
Greensboro on Monday to finally get the run in, I hope that many more
groups will take the trip. Its an area of Virgnia that is untouched
and is really an experience. I also hope any groups heading to the
area will give me a buzz and let me know how it went and if possible
an invitation to join. We are all here for the same reason to get to
the take out and have some fun.
Since most of Coastals members are close to this creek I
imagine it will become a very popular spot to kayak. I do want to
make sure I explain some of its features to provide info and protect
boaters whose skills may not be prepared for this creek. The creek
starts with class 2-3 ledges up to 3 feet in height. The higher the
water the bigger the holes, some will get big and sticky. The class 2-
3 section last for about 1 mile. If the creek consisted of only this
section it would be suitable for seasoned beginners and
intermediates, but it does not. The next 3/4th mile steps up to solid
class 3 slides linked back to back with numerous 3-6 foot ledges and
off angle slides. I would rate this section class 3. After you duck
under a riverwide tree about 2.5 feet off the water get ready. This
marks the beginning of the steep section.
The steep section consists of very steep slides many with pin rocks
and undercut rocks. The slides link back to back with micro eddies in
between some rapids. The slides have very sticky holes at the bottom
of the drops and with more water will be come quite retentive. The
middle of the slide section drops into a rapid we named Wall Check.
Wall Check is a mini version of Headless Horseman on the Ravens Fork.
It is undercut on the left and the water pillows up into medium sized
holes before leading out. The drop is estimated at 10-15 vertical
feet over a 30-40 foot rapid. Its not very hard but a swin could be
dangerous. Immediately after this rapid is a long 30 foot slide that
is rocky and has many holes It ends into a small pool. This pool is
above the 3rd largest rapid on the river, it can also be recognized
by a tree 6 feet off the water across the river. Scout this rapid.
This is a very long, steep and bumpy slide that has a large hole at
the bottom. This slide is named dos equis hangover. It is very
similar to some of the slides on the West Fork French Broad. Be sure
to round up swimmers here, a swim down this rapid would HURT!!! I
rate this rapid class 4. Below this large slide the rapids takes a
turn to the right in the middle of the turn is another slide about 10
vertical feet in 20-30 feet, It has a nice boof at the bottom as well
as a nice hole. Below this rapid get ready the steep section picks up
from class 3-4 to class 3-5. There is .2 mile of boggie water that
drops takes you to a real nice eddy located on river right, you can
tell this by seeing the river clogged with wood on the river right
and a passage way on river left. EDDY out and SCOUT!!!!! You are now
100 feet above Balls To The Wall.
Ball to the Wall is a solid class 5, without question. It is an 18
foot drop that has a tricky enterance. The water slams into a huge
rock wall on river right. You have got to stay left to avoid smashing
your boat and body or worse. The portage is terrible but much better
than messing this rapid up. The video makes it look easy but remember
looks can be deceiving. This is a very hard rapid. If you do run the
rapid it drops into a nice deep pool. The hard part is keeping away
from the undercut right side rock wall. The exit from this pool is 2
to 3 feet wide and like I said is undercut on the right. The water is
very swirly the hole is sticky and the drop has a deep cave behind
the curtain of the water.
After exiting through the slot you have a 10 foot pool, the next drop
is a 10 foot slide with undercuts on both sides of the river. This
ends in a 20 foot pool with a small eddy on the right. This is the
pool above Baby GO LEFT. This rapid is a mini version of Go Left and
Die on the Green. You start by going over a log just under the
surface then make a right turn staying upright and go through a slot
on the right side. The bottom of this drop has a large hole. Below
this rapid is some class 2-3 for a ways, you will pass the tributary
of Mayberry Creek which add quite a bit of water. You will continue
to very wide section of the creek, stay left. You will go around an
island and work your way through a 5 foot wide slot which puts you at
a 4 foot ledge with high pin potential. Go with speed an boof off
this ledge with right angle. Keep you bow up. There are some
undercuts on the left side after this drop. Following this drop you
will take a corner to the 4th largest rapid on the creek.
Catch an eddy and scout after the rapid above, walk 100-200 yards and
scout Birth Canal. Its very steep and Fast and once you start it will
be hard to stop. This rapid will commonly have wood at the top of the
drop, so be very careful. Before we cleaned the creek out we called
this rapid Sudden Death due to all the strainers. Its clean now but
will fill back up so be on the look out, I will try to keep it clean.
The rapid is about 40-50 feet long. It starts with small ledges that
lead to a 3 foot wide slot on river right. Keep you bow up and have
speed. Do not swim this rapid or get turned before the rapid, a pin
would be terrible at the top. The bottom of this drop has a very deep
sticky hole. As soon as you get below this rapid look for one of two
eddies on river right, catch one and scout the last rapid. This is
very long and steep.
The last major rapid is largest of all rapids but not as hard or
dangerous as balls to the wall. It is about a 30-35 foot water slide
that has a 8-10 foot near vertical ledge at the end that has a sticky
hole at the bottom. The right side has two hanging undercuts that you
must avoid by driving left. The drop had a very dangerous piton rock
at the bottom right so stay left. The exit to this rapid is 3-4 feet
wide and is very close to the sticky hole. Below this rapid stay
right to avoid wood and boat the last .5 mile of class 3 drops. The
lake will greet you. Paddle 300 yards and when you see the dam look
right and your at the parking lot, ready for a beer or one more run.
This creek is so much fun, but please make sure you have the skills
to succesfully navigate the rapids. It is not a class 3-4 creek. Its
a class 4 creek with a serious class 5. Though some of the rapids are
class 2-3 the harder rapids are very hard to portage and would be
very easy to run accidentially. If you are running Whitetop Laurel
with no swim, wilson creek at above zero with no swim and watagua
with no swims your probally ready to take on this creek. It is
similar in difficulty to west fork french broad and upper rocky broad
with its own character thrown in. With higher water it will get much
harder. I have paddled with many SRVCC members and I am very happy to
share this awesome find. I hope many of who have the skills will give
it a shot, for the ones who may not be ready you now have something
close to home to look forward to. I will be happy to show anyone down
who feels they are ready to go. This will run very often and I intend
on being there very often. I plan on making an AW page soon with more
pictures. As I run the creek more i will take many more pictures to
share with everyone. Let me know what you think and if you have any
question please ask. I look forward to boating with you on this super
fun creek.
I will post some of the pictures ont the SRVCC website.
Sorry for the long write-up
Eric O'Connell