Beaver Creek (Conewago Creek trib.)
Alpine Road to Bull Road
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 1.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 80 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 9, 2024 |
River Description
River Description:
This creek flows out of Gifford Pinchot Park Lake (Northeast corner of the lake). Beaver Creek's upper reaches lie underneath the manmade Gifford Pinchot Park lake.
Beaver Creek begins at the bridge on Alpine Road. Parking is available on the upstream river-right side of the bridge. The takeout is located on Bull Road at the bridge crossing. Parking is available on river right, downstream of the bridge.
The run can only be made in the late fall, winter or spring after heavy rains or continuous rain for several days. This dam has a spillway and a drain valve; when the lake is full, water will naturally flow over the 100-ft spillway to provide natural flow. Sometimes, water is released from the dam through a drain valve. Every three years, the lake is drained to a certain level to allow algae to be killed. This release typically lasts one week. The release is typically enough (valve 1/2 way open) to provide minmum runnable levels.
This creek is very tight (15 feet at its narrowest). The entire run is approximately 1.5 miles long. The first 0.5 miles is relatively flatwater (Class II).
The next and final mile is continuous Class III-IV.
Wood is definitely a problem on this creek, including fallen trees and overhanging trees.
Main rapids described in rapids section. All other rapids are class III-III+.
PLEASE NOTE: RUNNING THE SPILLWAY IS ILLEGAL AND COULD PUT OUR ACCESS TO THIS BEAUTIFUL LITTLE CREEK IN JEOPARDY!
River Features
Alpine Road Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAt the 5' level Heizerling is NOT passable. You MUST portage and get out early.
12/21- Wood at Little Heizlinger still exists and you MUST MAKE the Heizlinger move. Soon as you are thru, eddy out and portage over/around the huge log/trees.
Also - below Hair of the Beaver there is a tree across which also needs portaged - it is a bit below the Hair so there is definitely time to react and eddy out.
At the level 'AT THE PIPES'; a ways below Hair of the Beaver there is a log that must be portaged. (2 feet above the pipes you can go right over it). I will post a picture. As you approach the area - it is a flat water section. You will see a 3 inch branch at water level and may even be tempted to push over it. GET OUT HERE. About 20 yards below it is a large tree river wide about a foot off the water.
9/9 Some cleanup work was done, however, you MUST MAKE the 'Heizerling' move at little Heizlinger. The right of the rock is clogged with trees. When you bank left off of the rock at Heizlinger drive into the eddy. Approx 10' below Heizlinger is a large tree which can now be ducked under (when water is at the pipes); then 5 feet after that there is a large log which you will need to push over or push up onto it and get out for a quick portage.
The other option is at the eddy right at Heizlinger - a fellow kayaker was kind enough to make a short portage trail around both trees and you can put in on the other side.
The wood at King's Demise (Iron Ring) is gone.
The messy flatwater before Little Heizerling is best run as far right as you can go. The wood at Little Heizerling is a bit more washed out now but still be aware. There's some wood before the Hair of the Beaver and some floating wood just after. In some other necked down areas there is a lot of brush along the edges and a tree down which can be ducked but you will eat branches. King's Demise (Iron Ring) is clear.
Today 10/30/12 - Use alternate directions to take out. Actual take out is inaccessible due to flooding you will need to park about 1/4 mile further down. I have no report on hazards at this time.
a ways below Hair of the Beaver - this is a tree at the level 'AT THE PIPES'
Here you can see the wood that is to the left side of the creek. You have to portage. At low water (this picture) you can paddle up to the lowest log and climb over. At normal levels you will have to shoot straight to the shore and walk around.
8' below the pipe - this is above Heizlinger.
Here you can really see the wood and why the left 'Heizlinger' move is a must make. The right of the rock is completely blocked. Again, this is low - 8' below the pipe so it's not too pushy.