Slippery Rock Creek

Directions: From the north take I-80 to route 60 south. Follow route 60 till it exits to become a toll road - continue straight on what is now route 422. Follow 422 past where it becomes a two lane road, across route 388, till you see the sign for McConnell's Mill State Park. Turn to the right into the park. Continue straight and turn to the right just past the Kildoo parking area, then left in a couple of yards (see sign pointing to Eckert bridge). Follow road to stop sign and turn right. Follow road down past parking area to Breakneck bridge parking area, and turn to the right through gap in guardrail. Follow rough, steep road down to Eckert bridge. To get to take-out go back up past Breakneck bridge. Pass road on left and another 200 yds to turn on gravel road on right. Follow to stop sign and make sharp right. Follow to stop sign and turn left. Follow road to first intersection and turn right (Mountville Road). Follow road down into the valley - park on far side of Harris bridge.

Lower Slippery Rock Creek, from Eckert bridge to Harris bridge on Mountville Road, is a step down in difficulty from the rapids in upper Slippery Rock Creek or the Mile. Beginner and intermediate kayakers often use this section to develop their skills. At levels below 150 cfs it will be too low to paddle without walking the boat through the shallows. From 200 cfs to around 400 cfs it is an ideal run for beginners to get an introduction to whitewater with very little hazard. Between 400 cfs and around 1000 cfs this section is a great run for intermediate level paddlers, with some decent rapids as well as some nice surf spots. From 1000 cfs to around 1600 cfs the creek starts to have a big water feel without having too many hazards, and is still good for intermediates. Above 1600 cfs the creek starts to get more difficult and hazards start to become more pronounced.

The run starts with a couple of mild boulder garden rapids just below Eckert bridge. The rapid at Cheeseman R

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