Stony Creek (NF Shenandoah trib)

Rising on the southwestern slopes of the Great North Mountain, near Orkney Springs and impounded by the Lake Laura Dam, Stony Creek is a hidden treasure that offers  14+ miles of fun Class I/II+ pool-drop paddling. It offers short & fast flat water sections frequently punctuated by moderate wave trains, occasional boofable boulders, and tight turns. As of January 2024, there are only 3 low-water dams to scout in the Upper Stony (Dellinger Acres Rd. to Wakemans Grove Rd., 9.5 miles). All of them can be heard and seen well in advance to permit proper boat scouting. There are two bridges that require mandatory carries and two rapids that should be scouted every run.

Paddlers can run the entire creek or run one or more of four distinct sections listed and described below:

Section 1 (Upper): From Dellinger Acres Rd. to Wolf Gap Rd.3.5 miles (Class II)

The first dam is a rocky jumble that is more like a man made swimming hole dam. Run it center left. The second low water dam sits below a red iron & wood private driveway bridge. The far left side provides a 6’ easy slide and requires a quick right turn at the bottom. There’s a fun little rapid just beyond the ford over Hottlestown road. You’ll know you’re there when you see the dirt road disappear beneath the creek. Point your boat toward the cliff with blue spray paint at or near the water line. Then hug river left until the river bends to the right, you’re approaching Hottelstown Hop.

This rapid is a series of three ledges and narrow river right chute. The main channel flow tries to force you in a sideways line over the ledges, but  the fun line requires an aggressive ferry to the chute with a quick left lean/boof into an angular hole.

Section 2 (Wolf Gap): From Wolf Gap Rd. to Wolf Gap Bridge. 3 miles (Class II)

The most significant rapids on the upper section—Gilligan’s Island and Blind Faith—appear shortly after the confluence with Little

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