Crabtree Creek (Umstead State Park)

Paddled this section (at 37cfs/3.6ft) and then continued to take out at US 70 bridge. The run through Umstead is beautiful, and gives you access to parts of the park few people see. The Piedmont Beech Natural Area has been closed to foot traffic for a while, but the creek will take you right past some amazing giants. Wildlife is abundant as well. Saw dozens of deer, otters, and one coyote. The downed trees were numerous however. Singles could be dragged over or snuck under, but there were many full on logjams that had to be portaged around. Steep banks make this almost impossible in some sections, leaving the alternative of roping your boat up and over from the opposite side of the jam. High flows make this a dicey proposition at best. At 37 cfs/3.6 ft the run can be boney in some places, but many of the trees can be paddled under. This 5.3 mile section took almost 6 hours, including lunch. A lot of work, but worth the very secluded paddle in the middle of the RDU area. From Ebeneezer Church bridge to Duraleigh Rd., the scenery is almost as nice but with less wildlife. From Duraleigh Rd. to Crabtree Valley Mall the amount of trash increases. Take out at Ebeneezer. I don't know if taking out at Duraleigh is possible.