Dunlap Creek

Jolley Road to Piney River

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DifficultyIII-IV
Length8.5 mi
Avg Gradient130 fpm
Reach Info Last UpdatedApril 12, 2024

River Description

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River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 5.5 mi
Take Out

MJ
Matt Jackson

May 11, 2018


The typical feel of the creek from the road portage until the Soak confluence

MJ
Matt Jackson

Apr 17, 2018


The first mile or so is of this character, with a few small rapids and log portages

MJ
Matt Jackson

Apr 16, 2018


Ran this 4/15/2018 with Zach Peterson and Jack Henderson. Piney was at ~6.5ft.

First off, there are a ton of trees. Both the vertical and horizontal kind. The first mile or so is pretty placid, with some log portages and occasional Class 1-2 as you go through a narrow river in what basically feels like a rainforest. Tons of large waterfalls cascade in throughout the run and it's pretty beautiful. The river is tiny at the put-in, and eventually leads to a portage around a road/bridge. Shortly after this, the gradient picks up and is pretty continuous all the way to the confluence with Soak Creek. Lots of drops around blind corners, heads-up boating for wood and keeping eddies in sight. This section reminds me a bit of Lower Big Creek or maybe Thunderhead Prong. Class 3+/4 boulder garden type stuff. Super fun and has a remote feel to it. Water quality was pretty sub-par; burns your eyes a little bit. The ride out on Soak Creek is great if Dunlap and the other feeders have good flow; reminded me of a steeper Middle Cheoah. I believe 2+ inches of rain hit Spring City in just over 12 hours. We had a good level and it maintained steady throughout the run.

Overall it was actually really fun and had a bit of an adventurous feel to it. Just watch for wood. - Matt J.

MJ
Matt Jackson

Jan 1, 1900


Typical scenery early on

MJ
Matt Jackson

Jan 1, 1900


Dunlap rapids

MJ
Matt Jackson

Jan 1, 1900


Dunlap boogie