Jonathans Creek

The best part of this run is the section from the 'gravel pit' (on Cove Creek Rd just downstream from where Cove Creek Rdintersects with  Jonathan Creek Rd / US 276)  to the takeout near / at Liberty Church Rd.  A common alternate put-in is at the Fire Station on Joe Carver Rd; the folks at the Fire Station have been friendly and gracious but ask before you park there. This upper put-in adds another 3 miles to the lower section but the quality is not as good. You could also put in further upstream at Grindstone or Hemphill roads but the author has not done so and sees no purpose in doing so.

The first 3 miles from the fire station are continuous class 1+ to 2- with a lot of standing waves. There are only a couple spots where there are distinct rapids. You will be paddling mostly through farmer's field but also past sawmills, industrial facilities, a trailer park and a very well maintained and landscaped RV park. As you pass under Jonathan Creek Rd / rte 276 the second time you will pass the 'gravel pit' and enter a nicer section of the creek. The banks become steeper and more wooded and a few distinct rapids and easy places to surf appear. Most of the homes along this stretch are expensive, well landscaped and not terribly intrusive.

Not far after passing Gold Finch Way (bridge with metal protector on the center piling) you will encounter Double Drop, the first truly distinct rapid. The first part is a sloping tongue, the second drop has a hole. Small rapids continue until after you pass under I-40 and two smaller bridges. You will notice that the price / quality of the homes drops a bit. One enterprising home owner has used several vehicle chassis as a bank stabilizer rather than the normal techniques of rip-rap or gabions. About a hundred yards after this 'marker' the real action starts. The river turns to the right (and there is a good sandy takeout eddy on the left ) then back to the left (where there is a tighter last chance eddy) above the meat

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