Saint Mary's
Confluence with Mine Bank Creek to Forest Service Road 41
| Difficulty | IV(V) |
| Length | 4.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 100 fpm |
| Gauge | Tye River Near Lovingston, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 65 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 11, 2019 |
River Description
History:
Saint Mary's Wilderness Area is almost the entire watershed of the Saint Mary's River which drains the western slope of the Blue Ridge Parkway north of is junction with Rt 56 in central VA. This watershed is just over the ridge and slightly north of the VA ultra-classic North Fork of the Tye River.
Brandon Hughett and I made an attempt on Saint Mary's in September of 2006, but were caught in the gorge during massive flooding and left most of the rapids unrun as we were in survival mode just to get out of the gorge.
The first weekend in March 2007 the first known complete descent of Saint Mary's River was completed by Brandon Hughett, Dustin Bunch, John Howard and myself (Adam Goshorn). The level was minimal, but all drops were run, including my first and second descent of Saint Mary's Falls.
Take-Out:
From I-81 Exit 205 Take Rt 606 to Steeles Tavern and then 56 to Vesuvius. Head north on Rt 608 for a couple of miles and turn on FS 41. Continue until it dead ends at the signpost for Saint Mary's Wilderness Area. This is the take-out and also the widest point on the river so it may appear low. If the river looks floatable here it will be good to go in the narrower upper sections.
Put-In:
From the take-out head back to Rt 56 and go up the mountain towards Montebello. When you reach the Blue Ridge Parkway check your milage and head north on the parkway. If the parkway is gated it can be accessed at Spy Run Gap by taking 685 to 686. At almost exactly 4 miles from the junction with Rt 56 there is an unmarked pull off on the left just before you reach the Fork Mountain Overlook (which will be on the right). Pull into the small parking area and you'll see the signpost and map for Saint Mary's Wilderness and Mine Bank Trail. Several old trals converge here so be sure to take the one with Saint Mary's Wilderness sign next to it, if you stand looking at the map it will be almost directly to your left. As you begin your hike
...River Features
Parking Area
The Mine Bank Trailhead is 4 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the junction of the parkway and Rt 56
Put-In
The Put-In is at the confluence of Mine Bank Creek and Saint Mary's River
Entrance Ledge
4 foot ledge that develops quite a hole at high water.
Finders Keepers
Just downstream of Entrance Ledge, Finder's Keepers is a fun 10' ledge that leads into the inner gorge.
You Go First
A slide into a boulder and against an undercut slightly undercut wall. Really not as bad as it sounds
Boulder Garden
Between You Go First and John's Slide is a boulder garden that is typical of the many other rapids on the run... fun read and run, but keep an eye out for wood.
John's Slide
This easy slide is not far upsteam of Saint Mary's Falls. This slide is the indicator it's time to hop out for a scout.
Saint Mary's Falls
Basicly a 16 footer that lands bedrock about 12 feet down. It can be run on the left by taking and hit and a bounce into the small (5' wide) landing zone. Scout and/or portage on river right.
Hope I Go Deep
This 80 foot long low angle slide against an undercut cliff finishes with pourover hole that was massive during the first attempted descent in Sept 06. This one is named for what Brandon says he was thinking as he flushed into the middle of the final hole out of his boat... he did go deep and poped up 20 feet downstream.
Take-Out
The Take Out is at the dead end of Forest Service Road 41, the Trailhead for hiking into Saint Mary's Wilderness from the bottom of the valley.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAdam Goshorn on the First Descent of Saint Mary's Falls... a.k.a 'Bounce and Trounce'
Second Descent of Saint Mary's Falls by Adam Goshorn
this pic really shows the shelf and landing zone of Saint Mary's Falls really well.