Slippery Rock Creek
1. Kennedy Mill (Frew Mill Rd., SR 1012) to Eckert's Bridge(Slippery Rock Gorge)
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 4.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 23 fpm |
| Gauge | Slippery Rock Cr at Mcconnell's Mill |
| Flow Rate as of 59 minutes | 0.48 ftIIlow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | October 9, 2024 |
River Description
A local favorite: beginners like it for its relatively easy (mostly Class II, but there are a couple of III-) rapids; experienced paddlers head there for the play. Everyone likes its beauty.
Check out Three Rivers Paddling Club or Larry Wentzel's exhaustive description.
Directions: head for McConnell's Mill State Park. From the West and North, take I-80 to Rt. 19 South. Check out the Keel-haulers Map (linked to in the 'Maps' section at the right) for details to the putin and takeout. There are several alternate putins: the Ranger Station, probably half a mile downstream from Rt. 422; Frew's Mill, a mile or so upstream of 422 (this adds a lot of flatwater, but it also adds a couple of neat rapids and some nice scenery); and Rose Point, not far upstream of 422. Rose Point is an easier putin, but it adds some flatwater and parking is limited.
It can be a fun run in the mid-winter, but be warned: you might find the wrong kind of white water. Click here to see what I mean.
For those who might have trouble with the Slippery Rock Gorge, especially at high water, check out the Lower Slippery Rock.
River Features
Frew Mill (aka Kennedy Mill)
For the extra flatwater, if you put in here, you get a spanky slopy drop to begin your river trip. The drop under the bridge is pretty scrapy at levels below about a foot on the stick gauge. It's a cool drop at higher levels, but watch out for the eddy on river left--you can get shoved into a rock and woody debris and stuff.
Lat/longitude coords for putins, takeout, and rapids are verified by GPS.
Rose Point Putin
Easy putin, but parking is limited, and there's more flatwater (though pretty) than if you use the putins downstream.
Rte. 422 putin
This used to be popular. If you use this one, park well off the road (on the river-left side of the eastbound lane of the highway) and be respectful of private property. It's a steep hike down to the river.
Ranger Station
The fourth putin. Park at the Ranger Station and hike downstream.
Airport
This deep hole in a narrow space between two large boulders is a great playspot. Old-schoolers get enders here; modern playboaters use the hole for their own devices. Try to roll up quickly, as there's a sloping rock on river left that you can easily get swept up against.
Maytag
This is another hole formed by a boulder constriction. At higher levels (1.5' or more), the hole is quite munchy. Punching it is risky; you can usually boof into a small eddy to the extreme right. There's a large pool after this rapid before the portage at McConnell's Mill.
McConnell's Mill (Dam)
This beautiful mill, a major attraction of the park, with tours and a covered bridge just downstream, is a mandatory portage. Take out at the beach on River Left and put in on the rocks below the Mill.
The stick gauge is just downstream of the dam, on river left.
Triple Drop
Three drops (duh), with lots of eddies to catch on the way. This is one of the tougher drops in the Mile between McConnell's Mill and the takeout.
Gib's Nemesis
Also known as Susan's G Spot, this has a great popup spot on river left and a grabby pourover hole to the right of the sweet spot. Pick your poison!
Martin's Ledge
At the right level (Maybe 0.7-1.8 feet on the stick gauge), this rapid has one of the sweetest flat-spinning holes imaginable. It'll give you a dozen donuts without any effort. This is the last rapid before Eckert's Bridge.
Renamed in June 2006, in honor of Martin Wick, a stalwart supporter of Slippery Rock Creek.
Eckert's Bridge
Take out on river left.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAs of 8-6-14 the strainer at Gilligans is gone. Big props to who
ever removed it. Watch for new strainer at airport.
Getting swallowed
Mile beneath the dam
There is a strainer blocking the right channel of gilligan's island (the rapid after you pass under route 422 with the big rock and eddy that everyone practices roll in). You can walk on the right or paddle the seldom run left channel. Also I was there last week when the AW gauge read 0.7 FT. However it was just about 0.0 FT.
We ran the dam in a 4 Man raft! We were probably the first one's to ever do it (the first run for the ministry was in May 2011.) http://evidence2faithministries.yolasite.com/
There's nothing like a nice June day on the Slipp! The level was 616 CFS, and 1 ft at the Mill. Evidence to Faith Ministries of Erie rafting trip 6/25/11. Guide Jonathan Janicki with Justin Benny and Justin Kowalski. http://evidence2faithministries.yolasite.com/
There's nothing like a nice June day on the Slipp! The level was 616 CFS, and 1 ft at the Mill. Evidence to Faith Ministries of Erie rafting trip 6/25/11. Guide Jonathan Janicki with Justin Benny and Justin Kowalski. http://evidence2faithministries.yolasite.com/
There's nothing like a nice June day on the Slipp! The level was 616 CFS, and 1 ft at the Mill. Evidence to Faith Ministries of Erie rafting trip 6/25/11. Guide Jonathan Janicki with Justin Benny and Justin Kowalski. http://evidence2faithministries.yolasite.com/
Some kayakers having fun just below the Mill.
There's a nice rope swing below the rapids at Kennedy Mill. http://evidence2faithministries.yolasite.com/