Crabtree Creek (Umstead State Park)

Floated on 4/20/2013 at 4.5 ft at Ebeneezer Gauge in a Sea Eagle Fast Track. Late start but I thought we could make it from Old Reedy Creek Rd to Lassiter Mill Falls before dark, I was mistaken. The strainers and sweepers through Umstead are plentiful. A better float would be to put in at the Ebeneezer Bridge and float to Lassiter Mill, that way you would avoid almost all strainers. As darkness fell we realized we had set an unreasonable goal. As the street lamps of Crabtree Valley Mall guided us through the darkness we contemplated pushing on. Right before the bridge that goes under Glenwood we decided it would be far too dark and dangerous to continue. A lone gray rock river right beckoned for me to step on it and end the miserable journey, so I did. We grabbed our gear and walked up the bank to see the BP gas station and cars. I managed to hitchhike to Lassiter Mill with some hippy chick who did hot yoga, many thanks again for the ride! I drove the truck back to the small parking lot across from the BP and picked up my friend and the gear. By the time I got back to the put in at Old Reedy Creek it was 9:45 and I was exhausted. A Cary cop drove by, but we were gone before they turned around, probably just making sure no one was still stuck out in the woods. Final thoughts, the otters, coyotes, and beavers were cool, but I thought we would never make it and technically we never did actually make it. Save yourself the trouble and take a trip to the Haw, or anywhere else for that matter. River 1 - Us 0