Little Gunpowder Falls
2) Jerusalem Mill (Jerusalem Rd.) to U.S. Route 40
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 3.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 33 fpm |
| Gauge | Little Gunpowder Falls at Laurel Brook, Md |
| Flow Rate as of 52 minutes | 17 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 30, 2025 |
River Description
This is the delightful, classic Little Gunpowder trip. The first mile is an almost continuous rock garden, starting out class I-II and then adding a few class II and II+ bits. Then, in short succession, come a series of class III rapids. The first is a 3-4-foot ledge, easily boat scouted and best run in the middle at most levels. It is popular to carry back up and run it again. The next splits around an island, with the left side narrower and shallower. Then comes the Belko Factory Falls, a ragged 5-6-foot drop which can be scouted from the left and run on the right. The remaining class II+ rapids, above the Franklintown Rd. bridge, are twisty rock gardens. Class II water then resumes, down to I-95. The final mile and a half has only a pair of class II rapids on either side of Philadelphia Road, a half-mile above US 40.
Early on, the trip features a covered bridge for the paddler to pass under. The surrounding woodlands are full of deer and quite pretty, except where buildings are close to the creek. You can park at the shopping center alongside the take out. If you continue below there, it is two flat miles to the big Gunpowder Falls, and then another mile to the Gunpowder River inlet.
Ed Evangelidi testifies:
This creek is quite flashy, so don't dawdle, or it might come down on you while you are running shuttle. It has more continuous rapids than on the Big Gunpowder but they are not any harder. Also has a tamer section upstream.
Lat/longitude coords are approximate, from TopoZone.
River Features
Jerusalem Mill Put-in
Put-in is at the Jerusalem Mill Historic Area at the Jerusalem Rd. Little Gunpowder Falls bridge.
"Triple Drop"
Nice 'creek-like' triple drop on the Little Gunpowder.
"Jericho Covered Bridge"
Historic Covered Bridge
"Jericho Covered Bridge"
"Jericho Turns"
The river narrows, then sweeps out of sight (left-then right-then left); there is one small wave at mid-point (at end of right sweep – completely avoidable); be aware of overhanging branches – also, the shoals on the right or the river bank on left could collect strainers, which could be dangerous due to narrow nature of channel and the swiftness of the current at this point – at significantly higher levels the right side shoal might become covered (even passable), but most of the current would still follow the same “left-right-left” course.
"Jericho Turns"
The river narrows, then sweeps out of sight (left-then right-then left); there is one small wave at mid-point (at end of right sweep – completely avoidable); be aware of overhanging branches – also, the shoals on the right or the river bank on left could collect strainers, which could be dangerous due to narrow nature of channel and the swiftness of the current at this point – at significantly higher levels the right side shoal might become covered (even passable), but most of the current would still follow the same “left-right-left” course.
"First Ledge"
'First Ledge' is a 3'-4' ledge, easily boat scouted and best run in the middle at most levels. Surf potential (eddies both sides); simple, uncomplicated.
"Rock Island"
Avoid left channel – it is shallow and has high strainer potential – instead, take right channel - half way down you have a decision to make: 1) move aggressively to the left, then cut back to right over diagonal ledge & hole (good fun) or 2) run directly down right side over 2’ ledge (approach might be scapey/bumpy).
"First Ledge"
'First Ledge' is a 3'-4' ledge, easily boat scouted and best run in the middle at most levels. Surf potential (eddies both sides); simple, uncomplicated.
"Rock Island"
Avoid left channel – it is shallow and has high strainer potential – instead, take right channel - half way down you have a decision to make: 1) move aggressively to the left, then cut back to right over diagonal ledge & hole (good fun) or 2) run directly down right side over 2’ ledge (approach might be scapey/bumpy).
"Belko Factory Falls"
A 4’-6’ drop and pool rapid, Class III+ (but could be harder at higher levels); eddy out left at top to scout; several options: 1) run extreme left – ledge drop onto well-padded rock (bouncy fun, most likely the simplest route), or 2) Left of Center over jagged ledge into challenging cross-current/hole (this hole is likely a stopper, or even keeper, at higher levels), or 3) run right side into a significant standing wave and hole. At moderate levels, avoid a “dead down the center” approach, as there is a submerged rock (probably boofable at higher levels, but would drop you straight into a possibly stopper/keeper hole.
"Belco Factory Falls"
A 4’-6’ drop and pool rapid, Class III+ (but could be harder at higher levels); eddy out left at top to scout; several options: 1) run extreme left – ledge drop onto well-padded rock (bouncy fun, most likely the simplest route), or 2) Left of Center over jagged ledge into challenging cross-current/hole (this hole is likely a stopper, or even keeper, at higher levels), or 3) run right side into a significant standing wave and hole. At moderate levels, avoid a “dead down the center” approach, as there is a submerged rock (probably boofable at higher levels, but would drop you straight into a possibly stopper/keeper hole.
"Franklinville Bridge"
Just upstream of and within view of the Franklinville Rd bridge. This is a two-step rapid (upper and lower with a small pool between):
Upper: Run right or left of midstream rock (left has cleaner approach at moderate levels);
Lower: Run Center or Left of Center for cleanest line. Right side could develop a nasty hole at higher levels.
There is no parking or stopping on the bridge or its approaches - so this is not a potential take-out.
"Franklintown Bridge"
Just upstream of and within view of the Franklinville Rd bridge. This is a two-step rapid (upper and lower with a small pool between): Upper: Run right or left of midstream rock (left has cleaner approach at moderate levels); Lower: Run Center or Left of Center for cleanest line. Right side could develop a nasty hole at higher levels. There is no parking or stopping on the bridge or its approaches - so this is not a potential take-out.
Philadelphia Rd. (MD 7) Take-out
The first take-out for the run - the take-out usually used by Baltimore Area paddlers
US 40 Take-out
Lower take-out which can be used if parking is limited at Philadelphia Rd.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI ran the toughest part of this stretch (Jerusalem Mill to Franklinville Rd.) and I must respectfully disagree with Mr. Evangelidi. At around 130 to 140 cfs on the Winter's Run Gauge, this river was certainly more difficult than the Big Gunpowder at 12' on the local Rt. 1 bridge gauge. Belko Factory Falls is more difficult and dangerous than anything the Gunpowder has to offer; as for the immediate three or four Class threes that come before and after Belko, they are equal to anything the Gunpowder offers. The pictures on this website are misleading; they were taken at low levels; run this river after a good rain and see what I'm talking about. I consider myself a solid Class 3 kayaker. When I ran Big Gunpowder the first time, I only boat scouted the rapids; on the Little Gunpowder, I got out of my boat and scouted each and every major rapid, which wasn't easy because there weren't many eddies to catch.
Jerusalem Road Put-in
Nice 'creek-like' triple drop on the Little Gunpowder.