Stoney Creek (Rockfish R. trib.)

Upper Stoney Creek is not currently recommended. Please choose another of the area's fine runs instead.

This hike-and-huck upper section of Stoney Creek drops through almost a mile (or more) of continuous small boulder gardens. The eddies are small and logs or strainers are quite likely but the creek is worth it for a very solid class IV+/V paddler. There are no tall drops and the whitewater is consistent class IV or IV+. You could call this 'a decent class IV+ creek for a class V paddler' at the right water level. The main hazard on this creek is wood: strainers or fallen logs/limbs are almost guaranteed and could be disastrous due to the continuous flow of this creek. It is not easy to 'boat scout' this creek - it is very shallow and doesn't have many eddies. Take the time to make sure you don't come around a corner and find yourself wrapped around a log.

There is also a lower section of Stoney Creek from the yellow gate down to the hardware store in Nellysford. You need to ask for special parking permission and instructions at the hardware store. This woody and obscure class II-IV- reach is even more of a niche novelty run than the Upper Stoney run described on this page.