Paint Creek

The Creek is far prettier than guidebook suggests, the description written when the area was more actively mined .

The culvert bridge was removed several years ago but at low flows there is a pipe that crosses just above the bridge (that replaces the culverts) that may require you to get out of your boat if you are paddling the next section as well . The most popular takeout for this section is at the gate on river left just above a rocky rapid and where the culverts used to be. The most popular put in is directly under the Kingston bridge. You can 'scrape the paint' a couple of inches below the low water bridge and still get down okay.

For sometime now the gauge correlation (clear fork of coal) isn't working. The creek is often showing up as runnable when it isn't. Wood tends to move around on this stream.

paddled both sections 11/3. the first mile is chocked full of wood. the stream opens up after this and is clear through Dreaded Drop. Be alert of both islands in the first mile as well as for any trees that could move. T

The minimum for this run is top of the low water bridge at Mossy. Once you get off the interstate turn left as you cross the bridge. The low water bridge is about 1/2 mile down right beside the road. If the bridge is a hydraulic then you have really high water. This section has nice sloping ledges and plenty of rapids. At the culverts get out on the right about 20 yards upstream. The culverts are usually clogged. The next section downstream is a bit harder and more technical. But most of it can be scouted from the road while running shuttle. Heath Damron