Potomac, Laurel Fork of North Fork of South Branch

On March 28th 2009 I encountered approximately 15 strainers between the Rt 642 put in and the Vance Run take out. There are several strainers before the Bearwallow Trail intersection a couple miles in, most of which can be seen from far enough away to have time to stop. Below the Bearwallow trail intersection (you'll see a small wooden signpost on the left bank of the stream where the first tributary enters from the left), strainers are infrequent until the final mile or so of river. There are three strainers to watch for after Bearwallow: First, there is a hemlock across the stream immediately after a sharp left hand turn. At runnable levels one can paddle over this strainer on the right, but the landing is in shallow water. Do not get sucked under on the left. Approximately 2-3 miles downstream (it will go fast) you'll pass a curved tree crossing the river which can be paddled under on the left or over on the right, no problem. Shortly after that, but out of sight, is a huge log jam. Pull out above the log jam on river right on a small gravel bar that may be submerged at higher water levels. There is a narrow, sketchy passage on the right where I cleared some wood. About two miles below this strainer the woods open up to a big meadow shortly after a nice cliff on the left. There is a long gravel bar descent ending in a hard right hand turn. There is a tree in the channel at the bottom of the final drop, which is not visible until you're in the gravel bar approach. It is not too hard to paddle through the branches. but don't run it if there's any chance of flipping.
Finally, in the last mile Laurel Fork braids like crazy and there are a bunch of frustrating and dangerous strainers. This part would be particularly dangerous at higher water levels--we ran it near the minimum so taking out at the last second wasn't as hard.

*REMOVING WOOD FROM STREAMS IS CONSIDERED HABITAT DESTRUCTION - NATIVE FISH IN THIS AREA RELY HEAVILY ON WOODY DEBRIS IN THE STREAM*