Richland Creek, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III-IV(V) (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 200 fpm |
Hike up run.
For two nearby streams with mucho gradiente, check out Henderson Creek and Morgan Creek.
As of Feb. 2004 I've decided to name these damn rapids instead of talking about, "you know, that
drop". However, I have run across a few other names and will change them to the originals as
needed.
The parking lot is located in Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness Area, the largest preserve set aside
by the Bowater corporation. From downtown Dayton (wow it is big), take Hwy 30 towards Pikeville.
At the first and only light, take a right onto Back Valley Rd. The bridge on Back Valley has the
spray paint gauge. The minimum is about -.8ft starting to get beefy (for hike up) around 1.0ft.
Continue on Back Valley Rd until you reach Pocket Wilderness Rd a mile ahead on the left, across
from a holyness church. From the parking lot, hike as high as you feel comfortable. It is about
1.3 miles to the Old Dayton Reservoir.
The first drop is the "Reservoir", very straight forward and requires little maneuvering. Some
good warm up class III boulder gardens get you started. The first major rapid, "Timber-rattler"
is a steep boulder garden ending with a five foot boulder choke with a somewhat sticky hole at
the bottom. Starting right, follow the main flow left punching the first hole. It is shallow on
this left side so you will be in contact with boulders. Turning back right, a small pool lets you
get up just enough speed for the final drop. This at lower levels however. It's nonstop when
Henderson is running. Don't get to carried away at "Timber-rattler"....the left house-sized
boulder is actually a giant sieve usually full of wood. Next, take the river right 4 ft slot or
one can run left. Stay right through the class III rapids to set you up for "Left Down Hut"
around the the bend. "Left Down Hut" is created by a finger slab. If you go straight, then you
will be welcomed by a huge boulder awaiting your pin, hence the turn left. The total drop is
about 8 feet. A small pool is below and then another four foot ledge below. "Left Down Hut" is
actually the right side of an island. The left side, "Trailhead Boogie" can be run at 3" or
higher. The top rapid is a double drop totaling 8ft. After this, just below a small pool, is the
final drop that involves a several difficult moves flirting with strange curlers, undercuts, and
a probable pinning v-ledge. I've found it to be one of the hardest rapids on Richland. At the end
of the next pool take the right slot "Paddle Orgy" at 3" or below. The left side creates a nice
7' right boof, "Harry Harry's Dream Boof" at waterlevels above 3".
Soon you will be at the Blue Hole after some good solid class III-IV. Take the right cave route,
"Praying Hands" at the end of the swimming hole for cheep thrills. Morgan Creek (North Pole)
comes in below adding a few cfs. A few shallow waves can be found here. Enjoy some more good
III+'s for the next few hundred yards. The last notable rapid, the class IV+ "Weirdo" can be seen
by the house sized boulder on river left. There are three drops. The first is a small 3ft ledge.
Boof right and set up in the small pool for the last two. Run the last two on the left side and
hold on tight baby, yeah! At higher levels, hang out on river left and ride the slab, but beware
of the monster curler that will take you deep. The parking lot is another 100 yards below. Look
for "Goo-gee Creek Rapid" just after Paine Creek comes in on the left, a nice class III+.
I have seen Richland Creek run even four days after a rain in the spring and winter months. There
is nothing like seeing them there emerald waters during a spring month, luring you in for some
great drops. The only problem is that you have to carry your boat up for the action. The trail is
very good though and it usually only takes 15-20 minutes. More than likely you won't see anyone
there but a few others if none at all (: and if your lucky to be there during the early summer
storms, you may see some young couples making out on the rocks...yeah baby.
For further information visit: www.waldensridgewhitewater.com
| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Creek [Tn] |
Second drop of last drop
|
.4 ft | Daniel Talley | |
| Richland Creek [TN] |
Lower shot of last drop
|
.7 ft | Daniel Talley | |
| 4y130d06h19m | Richland Creek [TN] |
Richland Creek
|
n/a | Kathleen Burress |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Richland Creek Old Dayton Reservoir to Laurel-Snow Parking Lot (mobile)
User Comments
of "Left Down Hut" a tree down in the center line on "Praying Hands" and two trees across the creek
just below "Weirdo".
if not more, meaning, old 7 inches is now 0. The richland hike-up run can be done below where the
gauge reads by a few inches.
Henderson minimum would now be more like 11-12 inches? I'll know sooner than later hopefully.
mention paddling it more! The best one to consider now is Big Sewee in Decatur. Very close to
watershed with a similar size and all.
Richland Creek
This is the ultimate Park-n-Play. It has a hiking trail, which used to be the water main pipeline
for the community of Dayton, Tennessee. Hike two miles up .It is an easy walk, almost flat. The
creek drops, but you don't, well almost. Right at the end it goes uphill, to the reservoir that
held the water for the pipeline. The reservoir is about full now with rock from the creek. The
first rapid is right after you put-in, and if you have no Mo' in this one, get ready to get
hammered. There is some nicer creekin, until about the middle of the run, another drop type rapid.
The rapids can be seen on the "Falling Off Walden's Ridge" video. This is a perfect afternoon run.
Dayton has a 4 lane road to help you get there quicker, and Richland holds it's water better than
of the other ridge runs, even in the summer after a rain. Plus you get the college chicks hiking
there sunning themselves factor. Scared many a' bathin' beauties boofing out of nowhere, they
wonder how and where you came from, as you give them a William Nealy Cartoon smile running the next
drop.
Perhaps N Chick?
Great rapids to run when all else has dropped out.
Emory?
Clay