Little Stony Creek (Clinch R. trib.)
Little Stony Falls to Hanging Rock
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 7.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 270 fpm |
| Gauge | Powell River at Big Stone Gap, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 44 minutes | 111 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 26, 2024 |
River Description
Little Stony offers just about every creeking scenario there is. It has ledges (BIG ledges), slides, difficult boulder gardens and is continuous for pretty much the entire 3 mile run. The run drops about 780' for an average gradient of 260' fpm. Better have your ducks in a row for this one. Ain't nothing worse than unorganized ducks.
From the put in near the parking lot the creek doesn't look that menacing. The water is flowing along a rock bottom and flows over a series of small slides for about a 100 yds before the proverbial bottom falls out.
--- LITTLE STONY FALLS ---
Little Stony Falls is a 28 vertical waterfall that lands in a large pool. The pool is about 10? deep so penciling is not a bright idea. This drop has broke ankles and backs so have your mind right before you attempt it. To run set up in the river right eddy above the drop. The lead in is a slide that angles slightly to the left. Maintain you bow straight or slightly to the right but stay in the center of the drop. People launch and land this one at every conceivable angle but keep in mind that it is more shallow on the left and running left has the tendency to make people pencil in.
Next up is an 11' ledge that is usually run on the left. The right side is vertical but very shallow at the base. Boof as far out as you can roughly 5? from the left bank. You will land on a clapper(shelf) about 6' down. If you launch out far enough you will land on a slope and slide the remainder of the drop. Low water will probably mean
that you won't get an optimum launch, so brace yourself and don't sit up straight.
Just around the corner is Big Falls of Little Stony. This 35-40 footer is pretty spectacular looking. Due to its massive width the flow isn't concentrated, which results in a shallow pool. The water at the base of this thing is probably only 5-6' deep. It has been ran but no description will be given here. If you've got the skill for this one, you shouldn't need thi
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportLots of wood needs cleaned up.
Unfortunately the wet snows from winter 2010 loaded up this gem w/ big wood. Even the streamside trail is obstructed. It will likely take a flood and a multiple seasons before this run goes again.
I dont think i quite understand your question. But if your asking when someone is going to run the falls or the creek just wait for a big rain.
Halfway down chessboard
Making the move beside of the undercut
This is the last of 4 bridges you cross under from the putin. It is about 3/4 of a mile
from here to the takeout. It is constant class 4 for most of the way. Depending on levels there are some nice boofs. Also be very aware of strainers. This stretch is frequently blocked by riverwide trees.
It is possible to submerge a Rocker.
This is the last 'major' drop on the creek. I am pretty sure it has a name..I just can't remember what it was. The bottom of the drop is in sight of the last bridge which is less than a mile from the takeout.
Hi,When are they going to do this agian?I sure would love to watch this.If enyone know's please post.This is amazing...
Entrance rapid to manhole
Slide near the second bridge from the putin
As of 3/27/05 most of all of Little Stony Creek has been cleared of strainers. The exceptions are: the lower portion of Chessboard, which contains two large ill-placed strainers, which necessitate a portage. They will be cleaned out at some future date when the water drops sufficiently to safely wade in with a chainsaw. Directly above the rapid called 'Manhole' is a blind, hard left turn lead-in drop. While cutting, a ten foot portion of a strainer log fell directly into the main line. It 'should' wash out with higher flows but it may simply migrate down into Manhole and create another hazard. Be sure to scout here. At the island rapid bear left down the high water channel. The stream course around the right side contains several strainers too dangerous to cut out at this time. A tree fell across the creek in the top part of the first big slide (Peelaway). At present there is enough room to safely slip under, however, the crown of this tree is hung up in hillside rhododendron so, with gravity and time, this will become an ill-placed strainer too. Fortunately this is easily boat scouted from the river left eddy just above the drop. Finally, the cobble bed outflow at Little Stony falls has seriously eroded down and broadened out, resulting in a shallower pool to land in. Be careful here to land only on the distinct aerated boil at the base of the falls.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER: Because trees will fall logs will migrate with higher flows, have someone hike the creekside trail (only 2 miles) back up to the falls putin while setting shuttle. This creek is notorious for ill-placed lumber.
Ran it 3 times with Chris Harjes and Scott Harke on 6/5/03. Little Stony Falls might be the best 25 footer in the south east. The big one,however, is tough. It is an honest 30ft. drop. Hucked it on my first two runs. Definitely a one of the harder waterfalls to maintain a good angle on that I have run. Harjes ran it on our second run and clipped something about half way down. Needs good water to merit me becoming a repeat offender. Great creek.
This picture doesn't show it, but a large log down, in front of an undercut rock on the left side of the wash out. Careful.