I grew up on this run and finally hiked the upper section yesterday from Pigs Ear to the top Mill Run Bridge. Flow was slightly too low to scrape down. Wood was moderate but better than I expected. There were about 3 small beaver dams that I suspect would be totally covered during medium flows. I've done the lower section where wood can be a considerable problem (folded my first kayak in a log assisted broach pin as a kid). Class ranges from mild be-bop at minimal flows to RAGING beast at max and muddy flood stage. If you haven't been on it recently and the flow is high I strongly recommend scouting blind turns and drops for lumber. I estimate the total length to be more like 5 miles in length. Its only 2.7m from the top bridge to the lake take out and I hiked the upper gorge in 1.5 hrs in 5" of snow including approx. 5 creek crossings. Unfortunately didn't have the GPS but the upper section felt like 2 miles...anyway very pretty, enjoy. Edit

Robert Farmer---Pigs Ear Road turns south from Route 40 at the PA/ MD state line, west of the Keysers Ridge exit on I-68 (Exit 14?). There is a white church with red trim on the corner. Heading west, if you see the sign saying "Welcome to Pennsylvania," you've gone too far. Heading east, if you see the sign saying, "Welcome to Maryland," you've gone too far. This is a very small creek. I looked at it a couple of days after two huge storms, when most-everything was still high, and Mill Run was too low; I'm guessing that it needs to be caught right at the peak of a really big storm, or when everything is still rising. I'll guess that if Bear Creek is at 4 or 5 feet (@ 1000 - 1600 cfs) and rising, that would be a good time to try to catch it. Gauge: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_show-gauge-info_reachid_708_. USGS gauge address: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?03076600 Edit

I ran this twice with Mike Kemp and I will have to agree that this is not a class III creek! The brief parts of this creek that you can see from the road may look like class III stuff, but when you get back into the woods, it is defenitely continuous class IV all the way. The 2 pictures I posted for this run were taken at the ONLY large eddie on the entire run. Eddies are tiny and scarce, which make scouting a pain.

I ran this creek for the first time on 3/6/04, we actually ran it twice. There were 2 portages around strainers we made, the first was a single portage around 3 strainers and the second was around a dangerous tree lodged in a river left drop that you cant possible see until you are already committed(i found out the hard way, luckily i was able to boof onto it and slide down it rather than be wedged under it). The first run took about 2 1/2 hours because we scouted blind drops and corners and the 2nd run took about an hour less. This creek DEFINITELY deserves more than the class III rating it is given. Eddys are scarce, the drops are continuous and there is always the danger of strainers. It is very easy to broach and pin on this creek. towards the second half of the run it really picks up. <br /> if you are only a class III boater, dont even attempt this creek.... you will get hurt.<br /> <br /> When we took off, everybody agreed that it was a more difficult creek than the neerby class III-V rated Fikes run.<br /> <br /> An overall great creek, steep the whole way. no large scale drops just 2,3,4,5,6,7 foot high slides and ledges the entire way...epecially in the 2nd half.<br /> <br /> remember... not a Class III creek.