Gwynns Falls

Robert Farmer---So, the other day, I tried to count and remember the rapids. I counted 25 rapids from Dickeyville to Washington Blvd---the best section---but I could remember only 21 by the time when I went to write them down. No matter---there are only a few of significance. You put in to Rapid #1, below the drowning machine dam at the park at Dickeyville; the best spot is on the left side of Salamander Run. Currently, there is a log on the right side to watch out for. You pass under a small bridge and run a small slide (Rapid #2). A couple of small rapids leads to Rapid #5, the first crux. The creek makes a sharp left turn; start far right at low water and work far left. After Rapid #7, you come to Windsor Mill Rd bridge. Rapid #8 is immediately downstream, and has a bridge pier just left of center, which is submerged at higher levels. Rapid #9 is a potentially DANGEROUS ledge, probably man-made, where you should stay left; the right side has a bad hole. At the bottom, Dead Run enters on the right. Soon, you pass under Franklintown Rd. bridge. Rapid #11 has an island---stay left; the right side is too shallow. After a 90-degree left turn, you come to a 90-degree right turn where logs tend to create hazards---currently, it is open. Now, if I've counted correctly, Rapid #12 is a pipeline immediately downstream of the Route 40/Edmondson Ave bridge that you should be very careful about. I've described it elsewhere, below; currently the left and right slots are open, but not the center. Scout! Rapid #13 is the crux, a 5-6-foot ledge that is serious almost all of the time---Class 4-to-7, depending on the level. The hydraulic is very sticky. Scout carefully. There is a piton rock on the right side, and the launch current kicks leftward, encouraging a stay in the hole, which could easily be fatal at most levels. On my most recent trip, I screwed this up, when I should have known better; I made it through---just not gracefully. Rapid #14 is just downstream---a tombstone-shaped rock sits blocking the middle of the river. I always eddy left, then, at low water, I ferry to the right, while at higher levels, you can go left or right. Downstream a few hundred yards are 2 ledges---Rapids #15 & #16. The first one is safest on the left, although it can also be run TIGHT right; Do NOT Go Down The Middle!!! That hole definitely looks very dangerous!! At the second ledge, I boof the right side at lower levels, and run the far left at scary-high levels. Scout! Soon you come to a rapid underneath the Baltimore St. bridge. Everything from here on down should be self-explanatory. Have fun! I hope to see some other paddling party on this run someday!!