White Oak Creek

Checked out White Oak yesterday (2/1/14). Due to the icy/muddy conditions and increasingly steep banks, I was only able to hike a few hundred yards downstream from the put-in. I have much respect for anyone who has paddled or will paddle this creek. It is probably the most demanding of the palisades area runs when you consider the vertical nature of the gorge, the gradient of the stream (scarcity of eddies), the many blind turns, the high potential for wood, and the difficult takeout. I even found a small boulder sieve in one spot which, while easily avoided, is very unusual for this area. Once you put on this creek you are pretty much committed until you hit the river. I look forward to coming back in the summer, because the only feasible way to scout this run is by hiking down the streambed, and that just wasn't possible yesterday due to the ice. A final note -- there is a real trash problem in the gorge, with people dumping everything from beer cans to refrigerators. I also found a homemade deer stand that was fairly new, judging by the condition of the wood. I plan on contacting the nature conservancy soon, and sharing the photos I took of all the trash with them. With their help, I would like to organize a cleanup of the gorge sometime this year. I will post more details if this comes together.

The gorge has a lot of mature cedar trees. While this deadfall wouldn't pose a hazard in its current position, there are doubtless many more downstream.

This is the top half of the first slide (first rapid below the culvert)

This is the bottom half of the first slide.

Looking upstream(South) from culvert during low water. Culvert possible potential for creek levels...

Beginning to scout area for future use, found that near the concrete culvert(road bridge) there are a few places for single vehicle parking as stated above with one near a gate access which appears to be part of the now KY Palisides Preserve. Will be scouting entire length taking pictures throughout and will discuss with the KY P. P. about stewardship and useage(found lots of trash throughout area near bridge.) This has so much potential during heavy rain periods but as mentioned above, steep and very fast to move along....

Parking above in a few locations with ability to hike down on left or right, KY Palisades Preserve on other side. Heading towards KY River...