Piney, South Fork,

First bridge to National Forest boundary.

Usual Difficulty	V (may vary with level)
Avg. Gradient	350 fpm
Max Gradient	480 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
PINEY RIVER AT PINEY RIVER, VA
usgs-02027500	400 - 5000 cfs	V	00h46m	173 cfs (rc= -0.0 )

River Description

The South Fork Piney is a tight, technical creek flowing between Brush Mountain and The Cardinal. The first two miles drop at 400 fpm. One boater likened the South Piney to a combination of the North Fork Tye and the South Fork Tye, which are both just a ridge away in Nelson County, VA. There will likely be a fallen tree or two in the stream so be heads up for wood. The run is mostly roadside so choose your own trip length. Takeout no farther downstream than the dirt parking area at the National Forest sign. From the take-out, drive about 3.5 miles upstream to the first bridge over the South Piney. There is a dirt parking circle just across the bridge on the left. The first mile of the run contains a series of super-fun slides in an area that the local fishermen call, "The Cascades." These quality drops were once unrunnable dues to the dozens of large fallen trees in this section. Cleanup efforts have been going on sporadically since 1998 - in the summer of 2003 a studly and motivated local paddler cleared out this fun section and now everyone can enjoy the fruits of his hard work.;> After the Cascades, things stay technical for a half-mile or so before, "Switchblade." The tree is now gone from Switchblade. After that it is all technical class IV to V- through a wooded gorge. Enjoy "No Fishing Falls," an easy near-vertical 12 foot drop, and "Shotgun" - the last notable rapid before the take-out. There are several easy slides and two very similar, tight, off-angle slots near big boulders. Please be low-profile and respectful of the local residents in this area - especially during trout-fishing season.

Take-out at the National Forest boundary sign and do not continue downstream unless you are going ALL the way down to Woodson. Your actions affect everyone's access to this fun little technical run.
Thanks, Gordon