Elk Creek

Tripp Culbreth shared:

Ran this July 31, 2005. Rt. 274 bridge gauge read + 7 inches.

We put in on Rte. 650 at a pullout just after some trailers along the river not far downstream of the questionable class VI rapids (which were not runnable at this low level mostly due to choked entrance into the first drop of this section and questionable shallow rocky landing zone on last drop).

Starts off as class II. First rapid of mention is a class III- at this level called Slicer. We entered right, caught an eddie on the right and moved right to left thru a chute that runs between a big rock in the middle of the creek and some manky rocks on the left which includes the slicer rock that was slightly covered at this level. Then just more class I/II stuff.

After passing Mt. Carmel Church the creek turns to the right leaving Rte. 650. Class II and III rapids are more frequent after leaving Rte. 650. Mostly small boulder gardens. There were some trees in some rapids but all were avoidable. Todd's Rapid was the next hardest in this section maybe class III- at this level. We entered from the right ducking some tree limbs to go over a 1+ foot ledge then eddied out behind a rock just in front of us. Then ran right to left thru a boney chute that had a tree in the outflow so we had to work right quickly.

The boulder gardens continue as class II/III- until you reach the last ledge. It is a ledge 2 feet high with three chutes; I ran the left, Elizabeth ran the right. The middle chute had a small tree in it. Then class I/II and flat water until you reach the New RIver. The takeout is a short distance down the New RIver on river left.

The section of class II/III- took 45 minutes. The class I/II and flat water took 45 minutes. Total trip:1hr 30min. Scenery was pretty until you left Rte. 650, then beautiful as you leave the last few houses/trailers/campsites. The guidebook

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