Piney Branch,

Piney Creek Ravine (2 miles)

Usual Difficulty	III-IV (may vary with level)
Length	2 Miles
Avg. Gradient	48 fpm
Max Gradient	90 fpm

River Description

Piney Creek may be the premier "creek run" of Southern Illinois. The run is two miles long, but the middle half-mile is where it all happens. The creek rounds a bend and enters a micro gorge. The creek bottom turns to bedrock and the walls close in. The fun begins with an 8 foot ledge. The pool is shallow (only 2-4 ft deep) so solid boof technique is needed for this drop. The run continues across a half dozen more slides and ledges (ranging from 4-6 feet) for the next half-mile. A few drops are not boat scoutable and may get you in some serious trouble. All drops are overhanging and undercut. The last ledge drop has significant vertical pin potential on river right. The first known descent of Piney Creek was recorded in early spring 2002, and it has been paddled numerous times since.

The easiest way to run this creek is to have a shuttle. With two vehicles, you will paddle a half-mile of flat water, run the gorge, and paddle out on another half-mile of flat water. The flatwater sections run through private land, but there are no fences strung across the stream as of this post. It is however, necessary to portage around wood on the run at certain levels.

The other option is to park at the Piney Creek Ravine trailhead, hike about one mile in to the gorge, run the gorge, and then carry out a mile back to your car.