Paul's Creek, VA

Christmas low water run

Christmas low water run
Photo of Gordon Dalton by Harris Haynie taken 12/24/04

Gauge Information

River Description

Coordinates are approximate.

May, 2008 update: Paul's Creek is not recommended right now. There is wood in the two drops above "Chutes & Ladders" and in "Where's Haynie," as well as other drops. Go paddle something else instead.

First off: Please understand that this is a very steep creek. I strongly suggest that potential Paul's paddlers successfully paddle the nearbyAdrenaline Alley section of the North Fork Tye before you bother to hike your boat all the way in to Paul's Creek.

It has often been said that, "Many hike-in, but few put-on!"

This is normally a hiking and swimming area known to local residents as "the waterslides." When very heavy rains grace the area this becomes one of Virginia's steepest runnable creeks. This is a sweet new addition to the other great creeks of this area (Statons, South Piney, Tye Forks). From the trailhead parking area, hike down the trail to the stream crossing. Wade (or paddle) across the creek and keep hiking up the river-left side. You'll know you are getting close when you see "END" painted in blue on a rock (this is the end of the official hiking trail). You may not notice the paint though, because your attention will be focused on the two big slides in front of you. These are "Chutes and Ladders" (upstream) and "Where's Haynie" (downstream). These are big-air slides similar to some of the drops near the end of the Horsepasture in NC or a rougher version of some of Cali's finest.

Keep hiking upstream through the woods along river-left for several hundred yards or more. Watch out for poision ivy and nettle. You'll notice the creek dropping continuously on your left. Put-in wherever you want. There is a small easy slide, then "Elbow Grease", then the real drops begin. One tight, twisting cascade is called "Rochambeau" for the game of rock-paper-scissors that was fought for rights to the first-descent. The half-mile of creek from Rochambeau down to the take-out (at the trail stream crossing) drops at around 750 feet-per-mile and there are no mandatory portages. It all goes. Sweet Steepness!

Put-in above Rochambeau, or keep hiking upstream as far as you want. The creek has more wood in the streambed the farther up you go but is often surprisingly clean. There are few class IV warm-up drops, and "Elbow Grease", up there to get your game face on.

If you are a Paul's Creek caliber boater then you won't need a description of the rest of the creek from me. Be loose. Have fun!

Directions: First of all: Drive only 25 mph or slower in the subdivision. This is private property. Your actions reflect on all boaters.
Do not loiter in the trailhead parking area. This is private property.