Piney Branch, IL

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Piney Creek Ravine (2 miles)

Class III-IV
2 Miles
Avg Gradient 48 fpm
Max Gradient 90 fpm

Piney Branch - Dry


Piney Branch - Dry
Photo of Piney Branch - Piney Creek Ravine by Chad E. Walter @ No CFS!



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.


StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2005-10-11 12:26:37

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Piney Branch - Dry


Piney Branch - Dry  Piney Branch IL
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Gauge Description:

There is no gauge on Piney Creek. A significant rain event is necessary for Piney to run. Best chance is to put on while the rain is still falling.
Check out the St. Louis NWS, Storm Total Precipitation map. If two inches of rain have fallen on the Randolph/Jackson County line, Piney is probably running. (Carbondale is in Jaskson County, Randolph is the county to the Northwest).

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Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.5Big Boof!IVWaterfall
0.6You'd Better Boof!IVPortage Hazard Waterfall

Rapid Descriptions

Big Boof! (Class IV, Mile 0.5)
Eight foot waterfall into a relatively shallow pool (2-4ft). The falls are undercut on both sides at the bottom but the undercuts run largely parallel with the stream flow.

You'd Better Boof! (Class IV, Mile 0.6)
Similar to 8 foot ledge, but the pool is not as clean. On river right, there is a large boulder with the potential for a vertical pin. If water is high enough, run left and avoid boulder. If not, portage or hit a good boof stroke at the ledge and slide off the boulder into the pool. Potentially severe consequences if boof stroke is missed.


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