Stinging Fork

From Mark Cumnock

Stinging Fork

This one is noted for the big drop that can break backs, as noted by a group from Kentucky who first ran the drop in the late eighties. Later Clay Wright perfected the line on the drop. Later Jeff Richards, Bailey Johnson and myself put-in at the headwaters and ran to the take out (the same take out for Piney Creek) hoping to pioneer and open up the run. Mainly a disappointment, all the gradient is chewed up at the falls. If you want this drop you are better off hiking the trail to the falls, and get out the camera. Then hike back to the car. It is a long paddle for one Drop, there is a slide after the big one and after that it starts to slack up. It is a very pretty run even compared to all the others in the region.