Quantico Creek, S. Branch

Stephen J. Ettinger sez:

If you just want to run the good whitewater, put in at parking area A in Prince William Park, for a 2.6 mile run down to Dumfries. After 1.5 miles of fast class I, with quite a few strainers, comes a 4 foot ledge (class III-), best run left to right. Then comes a quarter mile of class I-II and the confluence with the (smaller) main stem (called the 'North Branch' in Corbett). Shortly thereafter starts the exciting descent of the fall line, starting with the toughest rapid -- a complex class IV- chute, dropping about 8 feet, which can be portaged on the right. Below that are a pair of class III- rapids, and then some easier ledges.

Ed Evangelidi testifies:

Park Police may or may not take kindly to you being on the creek through the park. Expect many strainers and a portage around a dam. This creek has been buttressed with wire-encased stone in part to keep the banks from eroding. Unfortunately this spoils the view.