Beer Kill
Marcus Rd. to Ellenville
| Difficulty | IV-V(V+) |
| Length | 3.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 140 fpm |
| Gauge | Rondout Creek at Rosendale Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 40 minutes | 8.85 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 14, 2021 |
The Beer Kill flows through a steep, wooded gorge in the Southern Catskills. It is predominantly Class IV/IV+ ledge drop boating interspersed with some easier boogie water between the larger drops. Most people will want to portage three times. The portages, coupled with the depth and apparent remoteness of the gorge, create a wilderness feel that is unique to the region and seem to make the portages more tolerable, if not enjoyable. The beginning of the run is slow-going with a likely portage of the second rapid, immediately below the put-in bridge. This one is a narrow toaster slot that has wood stuffed in an undercut on the right side. After a couple of notable drops, the most significant of which is a 5 foot boof onto a slide (assmaster), you'll need to be heads up for a horizon line which indicates Hanging Rock Falls. Pull out on the left. Rumor has it that the first 20 footer has been run, but shortly below are two even bigger drops, of which the final one drops at least 30 feet onto rock. Walk on the left and take time to admire the spectacular three- tiered falls. The Beer Kill has a very intimate feel and Hanging Rock Falls, at a total height of close to 100 feet, adds significantly to the character of the river, despite being a rather cumbersome carry. To re-enter the river, it might be necessary to lower boats down because of the steepness of the gorge; the loose dirt and rock make finding sturdy footing somewhat difficult. But your efforts will be rewarded with a mile of excellent paddling. The drops are comfortably spaced, but there are a few places where you can feel a bit of tilt to the riverbed. Scout the horizon lines and be prepared for the very real possibility of a strainer in an inopportune place. Be VERY heads up on this run for wood. A final portage will probably be required towards the end of the gorge. This 20 footer has been run, but the landing is shallow and should be scouted carefully. The portage is on the left and is reasonably stren
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Put in just upstream of the Bridge on Marcus Rd.
Short class IV. Eddy out afterwards on river right.
Get out on river right after running the rapid under the
bridge to portage this nasty, undercut slot.
This drop has been run, but there is a large pointy rock in the middle of the slot that is not visible at most flows.
Seal launch back into the river just after the slot.
This is the aptly named Assmaster (south park reference). There is a fair amount of abuse on your backside, so I suppose it's a fitting name. You can hit the boof just about anywhere; the left is not as high, but go to far left and you'll be peeling yourself off the rocks along the bank. There are a couple other easy IV's after this before the mandatory portage (most use the left side) around Hanging Rock Falls.
The first drop might actually be runnable if your day
job involves leaping tall buildings in a single bound.
Ted left his cape at home on this day unfortunately.
The last two land on rocks. Portage on the left.
Lowering boats is strongly recommended to get back
to river level.
It's not really too visible in this shot, but the moss
covered rock forms an ugly sieve. I've run the left to
right move above the sieve, but the better line is right
of the boulder in the center. It does get a little bony at
lower flows though.
This is the first big rapid below the portage at Hanging Rock Falls. The key is to have a little right angle as you come off the vertical drop, because most of the flow wants to push you left into an undercut.
The next mile or so is all more or less boat scoutable, depending on your comfort level of doing so. You'll want to look at a couple of horizon lines unless you're with someone who knows the run, but otherwise everthing is good to go until you get to a funnelled, sliding drop with a boof in the center (Mushroom). Call this one a class IV+. It comes about 3/4 of a mile into the gorge.
This is big waterfall with a tough approach. The drop lands on a shelf and has a small sweet spot. It has been run, but is more often portaged on the left.
This is the last drop on the run. It's a pretty straightforward boof, but the cave on the right and the wood on the left make it interesting.
After a nice stretch of Class 3 boogie, the West Branch
of the Beerkill will come in on the right. Take out
shortly thereafter on the right alongside County Road
53. A longer run can be had by running down to the
ballfield in Ellenville if so desired. This will add a few
interesting ledge drops to the day.
Dec 28, 2006
Marcus Rd has a sign but it's bent. If you go slow and look for it, you'll see it. It's a small Rd with a house on the corner on the far side of the road. I made a right turn after the bridge which will take you back to 209 hoping to do some scouting but you cant see anything from the Rd and the climb down would have been very difficult at best.
Jan 1, 1900
Hmm. Did Ted just run this one?
This is the rapid immediately upstream of the one with
the sieve. A lot of the Beer Kill looks like this.
This is the crux move in the slide. There's a little
entrance move, then the boof, and then you can pretty
much bang your way down the remaining fifty feet,
until it necks down into a 5 foot wide slot that spits
you out into a pool. Very cool rapid.
This one might actually be runnable with mucho safety
and scouting.
This one is definitely not runnable, but it sure is
pretty.
This is the last significant drop on the run. It's a fun
boof, but the cave on the right and wood on the left
make it interesting.
This is the last drop on the run. It's a pretty
straightforward boof, but the cave on the right and the
wood on the left make it interesting.
It's not really too visible in this shot, but the moss
covered rock forms an ugly sieve. I've run the left to
right move above the sieve, but the better line is right
of the boulder in the center. It does get a little bony at
lower flows though.
This is the first big rapid below the portage at Hanging
Rock Falls. The key is to have a little right angle as you
come off the vertical drop, because most of the flow
wants to push you left into an undercut.
Ted runs a nice line through the unfortunately named
'Assmaster.'
