Clinch

3. St. Paul to Dungannon

Reach banner

April 15, 2012

Trip Report

Reporter

There is a very dangerous series of undercut rocks approximately 7 miles downstream of St. Paul, approximately 1/2 mile upstream of the Carfax takeout. When the railroad tracks go into a tunnel on river left, look for a rock garden and what appears to be a minor rapid. This is actually a very dangerous area, with undercut rocks on center-right and center-left. The river divides into three channels, none of which are passable except at high water. The river right channel funnels under a nasty overhanging rock. What appears to be a center right channel from upstream actually doesn't go through; most of the water flows under the big rock on center left. The center left channel, to the left of the large rock, loses its water halfway through the drop, creating pin hazards. If you are unlucky enough to get caught in the middle of the river, be particularly careful with the large center rock, which has large volumes of water flowing directly under it. I recommend portaging on the right; there is no safe passage at normal water levels. This is the only hazard on this stretch of river except for some occasional wood.
Zack Fields hehe....................................................

This spot is not as bad as listed. Ran the river last thursday at around 1200 cfs. River right is good and takes you away from any undercuts. The rock in the center is the only one that really has the potential for danger. A hole forms on the right of the rock and the water pours back over towardt the undercut. But far right is good.This rapid you are referring to is called the Bellamy Hole.

Trip Report – Clinch – 3. St. Paul to Dungannon | American Whitewater