Pike Brook

Mill Pond to South Bay

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DifficultyIV-V(V+)
Length3.3 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeMettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny
Flow Rate as of 51 minutes
375 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedFebruary 15, 2026

River Description

By far the most amazing creeking experience I have ever had. We were the third group to get on this in spring 2013, and I don't think anyone has been there since. This is because it takes a lot of rain to bring the creek up, and while the two ponds will help the creek hold water for a little while, it won't last more than a day after a long hard rain.

The put in is either at the mill pond or a little ways downstream where there is a pull-over. You will immediately dissapear into a surreal valley with an amazing mix of great technical but fun kayaking, beautiful forest scenery, and random surprizes along the way.

Although it is a short low volume run, the creek is basically falling off the face of the earth. You will have to scout everything. Expect lots of rock landings. Even though you will be heartbroken to have to walk a few drops because of the lack of pools to land in, you will get your fill of amazing slides and tricky little drops downstream.

Around halfway down you will come to a wider than usual riverwide horizon-line over what is clearly a tall drop. Get out on the left. This has been run with mixed results. By the time you come over the first half (35 foot drop) you'll barely be touching rock as you scream down the next 100 or so feet to the bottom. Watch out for the diagonal ledge that sticks up on the left. If you aren't ready to brace you'll be finishing the slide on your face.

From here the volume starts to increase, as does the size of the drops. The slides get bigger and more frequent. You'll have to scout each one to the end so you can be sure you won't fly off a cliff and land on rock.

Finally you will wind up at Rattlesnake Falls. Named because when we asked the friendly land owners if we could walk their property to scout and run laps they told us to look for rattlers. We didn't believe them, but the rapid winds all over and will certainly take a big bite out of you if you aren't on point as you pass under the br

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River Features

Pike Brook Road Put-In

Distance: 0 mi

Put in at the pullover on Pike Brook Road just below the Mill Pond.

South Bay Road Take-Out

Distance: 3.33 mi
Take Out

Paddle to the right once you reach South Bay to roadside access along South Bay Road.


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