Big Wilson Creek
Near Mouth of Wilson
| Difficulty | III-V+ |
| Length | 2.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 21, 2024 |
River Description
From: BoaterTalk
Re: Big Wilson Creek in Independence, VA.
by jdemmert Oct 13 2003, 16:52 GMT
Paul Heffernan and I ran Big Wilson down to the highway in 1995 I believe. We both are pretty sure it was the 1st descent. We hiked all the way to the top, above 1st falls and ran most everything. We carried the 1st falls (40 ft slot/slide that corkscrews into an undercut rock, probably knock your teeth out). We also carried a few rapids that start a very steep section outside park property (about a half mile above the highway). These rapids were totally sieved out. Plenty of water heading in but none exiting on the surface. It just plunges through cracks. This is the steepest section of the run.
The whole thing is pretty short, but must be scouted. It also takes a shitload of water to get it going up that high.
Rob T
If Grayson Highlands afws gage gets 1.5' or 2' within 12hrs this creek is good to go. Enter the park and head down the campground road until you see the country store park there and walk 1 mile down to the creek.
'Do not attempt the upper gorge.' - Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 485. His description begins at the Rt. 58 bridge near Rugby.
River Features
Take Out
Put In
Dental Work
A 25' slide right at the put-in goes into and under cut rock
Jim Davis Fishin' Hole
One of the many drops cool boff but lands right into a rock!!!
Super Slide
Start with a boof and enter a 30' slide. Most of the water is river left but at the end one would go into a rock move quick.
Deer Falls
Once found a dead deer here. Sweet drop right into a rock, but it sure looks cool.
Deana and Martha
The first drop is named Deana, the second is named Martha, named after the two girls who found this sweet drop. Nice double drop.
Triple Rock
A nice triple drop with boofs off of rocks each drop.
Sadies Kitchen
Sticky hole so make sure your boof works!!!
Park Ranger Falls
Discover by park ranger Kevin Kelley, if run and one gets hurt think of him. Trick entrance, have a good boof and be loose on the landing, can bust backs,arms, and boats.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report12 ft right at the take along 58
I have run the lower section of Big Wilson from rt58 bridge 2miles from the park to rt16. Great class II-III run very fast, two strainers to watch for. The little Citgo station will let you park, just tell them what you are doing they are very friendly.