Richland Creek, TN

Good Clean Fun

Good Clean Fun
Photo of Daniel Talley by Nathan Talley taken 1969-12-31 @ .4 ft

River Description

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