Kibler Valley to the Methodist Church run. FUN!

Kibler is FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Kibler is gorgous!!!  This is Basketball Falls a class 3 where we put in.

One of the FEW calm areas.

Wow, paddling with friends in the morning on a relaxing run starting at Big Creek on Lynchburg Rd. to Hanging Rock Access to paddling with Dennis on the thrilling Kibler Valley section of the Dan River made an exciting day.

I am so lucky to have so many options so close to home.  Kibler Valley at the dam is only about 1 hr from King.  This was my first time running this section.  We put in at the basketball courts to bypass the 3 class rapids at the top of the run.  This was Dennis and I's first time running this section.  This was the most challanging section we have been on yet and it was a BLAST!!!  The dam started running at 7500 kwz at 12pm then at 2pm moved to 9600 kwz.

Kibler Valley in Ararat Va. is one of those runs you can only do if the dam is running and they only run the dam if they need power. Thanks goodness I am on the email group SRVCC, if anyone hears they are going to run they post it. This makes this difficult to find a time to do this section except it does run every Saturday in July for recreation releases usually at 7500 kwz.

Another shot of Basketball Falls.

This was the most fun I have had in a boat!!!!  We were kinda nervous putting in because it looked fast.  Where we put in is a solid class 2 run, whitewater for about entire 3.75 miles. and took out at the church.  It only took about 1 hour to go close to 4 miles.  This section is narrow and has many trees hanging low.  There are strainers too you need to avoid as well.  It is a more techical section of the Dan River because of the narrow passage, strainers and the fast moving water but soooooo fun!!!!!!!!!!  Our Liquid Logic Coupes sit on tops with thigh straps did wonderfully.  I am glad I wore a helmet too.  I can not wait to do this section again!

You could run this section 1-3 times easy in one day.  You can park at the church to take out and the basketball court to put in if you want to avoid the class 3 rapids.  I look forward to working my way up to the class 3 section starting at the dam.  This run I could do daily if I got the chance!!  It was that FUN!

Big Creek (Lynchburg Rd) to Hanging Rock Access, Dan River

The difference 1 day can make. Because the Kibler dam ran the day before the river depth went from 1.47ft. 7/26 to 1.7 ft 7/27.  It made a huge difference on the river.  This was a much easier run than the day before.  I paddled this with Lanie and Rhonda.  They both did a great job.  We put in at 9:20 am and took out at 11:50am.  The trip was approx 2 1/2 hours today and the day before it was close to 4 hours the flow 7/26 was 102 cfs but today the flow was 155 cfs.  This made a huge difference in speed, ease and time.  I was shocked.  Poor mom, Suzanne and Melody the day before had to work hard compared to today with Rhonda and Lanie because the water was so low.

Lanie just after we got in.

Rhonda pulling up to take a break.

Lanie floating a rapid.

This was a fun time.  This bridge access is steep and trashy but the Hanging Rock access is easy and nice.

I really enjoyed the company and beauty of the river.  I was off the river by 12pm ate lunch and was on the river again by 4pm up at Kibler Valley. I am trying to make the most of the few days I have left to paddle before I have to go back to teaching.

Rhonda scooting through the last rapid on this pretty run.

Lanie scooting the last rapid too.

July 26, 2012 DRC (Lynchbury Rd to the DRC) Dan River

Heat index 100 degrees, temp 95 degrees and river depth at the Fransisco river guage 1.47ft.  This is the lowest I have ever paddled this section the cfs is 102.  It usually takes me to 2 - 3 hours to do this run but it took 4 hours today.  Even with the river this low I only got stuck once and that was because I was not looking where I was going because I was filming.  With the cfs so low at 102 the run required a great deal of paddling or you would just not move.
To avoid the steep put in at the Big Creek bridge on Lynchburg road we took a shuttle with the Dan River Company.  This is a 6 mile run. There access is much nicer than the bridge.
Enjoyed the day with mom, Suzanne and Melody.  They all paddled great and only got stuck a few times which is a great accomplishment with the water so low. This is a pretty run, with many little rapids and beautiful scenery. At times it is like you are in a mini gorge with rock walls along the way.

I discovered Melody really does not like snakes.  After the DRC guy said snakes sometimes hang in the trees that hang over the river, Melody decided she would rather paddle in the sun or in the shallows and get stuck rather than paddle near the bank and possibly see one of those snakes.  Saw my first snake in the water swimming today though. I have seen them on the banks or in the rocks but never swimming.  This happened to take place where we had gotten out of out boats and were floating in our life jackets down a rapid.

These ladies did a great job.  Suzanne moved her boat like a pro and is pretty strong too. Suzanne was adventurous and jumped off a rock ledge into the river.

Suzanne being brave getting ready to jump! Before......

After...

 I was so proud of mom this was her 2nd time in a kayak.  She calls it being stretched.  She started a little rusty but mastered it quickly.  She is getting her paddle stroke down pat. She could become a regular paddler.

 This was Melody's first time in a kayak and you would have never known that.  She moved her boat through the small river lines wonderfully as well.  I guess Melody got stretched a little today too with the snake sighting and all. What these ladies did not know is if they can paddle this section with very little water having to carefully select the channels or get stuck, when the water is up it will be a breeze! 

Melody floating a rapid!

July 25,2012. Smith river- South Martinsville to Sports Complex to Marrowbone.

Trying to find water to paddle in late July is hard.  One of the outfitters of the Smith River suggested putting in after the Martinsville dam release 1-7 today at South Martinsville canoe access to Marrowbone.  It is 6.75 miles.  We put in at 2:40  the water started reaching the South Martinsville access at 2 but we waited until 2:40 for the river to fill. We arrived at 4:00 at the Sports Complex.  We must have paddled to fast before we out run the water. Waited until 4:30 for the water.   You can tell the dam water is here if the 2nd step on the ramp is under water.  We put in at 4:30 dam water was here by then.  Take 3 1/2 hours from dam for release water to arrive here. Was told it take 4 hours for water to reach Marrowbone.

Had the unfortunate experience to paddle next to a floating deer carcass. PHEW!!!!!  Hope that never happens again.

Eggleston Falls

Eggleston Falls is nice but the only interesting aspect of the entire trip.  I made it over with no flipping wore my helmet and everything. The trip was mostly flat water with a few wiffles except for the falls.  Not worth it.  I will not do this run again.  TOO BORING and TOO MUCH paddling.

We arrived at marrowbone at 5:45 which is 1hr and 15 mins   2.25 miles from Sports Complex.  Might to Sport Complex to Mitchell Rd ( Eggleston Fall is right before the Marrowbone Access)  but I will not put in at South Martinsville again.

July 24,2012- Smith River Marrowbone to Mitchell rd.

I am begining to think paddling the Smith Rhttp://www.henrycountyva.gov/content/File/pdfs/ParksandRec/parks__rec_map_brochure_layout_1.pdfiver is bad luck. The first time we tried out truck broke on the way.  Today the weather report said it have a 15% chance of rain.  Arrived at the Smith River and it started to storm. We not willing to give up again and we drove 1 hour 15 minutes to get here, we waited and waited. Finally the sun came out again and we decided to try the Marrowbone access.

We decided to put in after the rain cleared.  Our put in was Marrowbone to Mitchell rd.  The Henry County sites are helpful.
http://www.henrycountyva.gov/Parks.html  and http://www.henrycountyva.gov/content/File/pdfs/ParksandRec/parks__rec_map_brochure_layout_1.pdf

This stretch is about 3.37 miles long.  With not dam water release it took us 2 hours.  I have heard with a dam release water it is 1 - 1/2 hours.  This a a very pretty stretch with many rapids we put in before the dam water reached this section and the river gauge in Martinsville said 2ft which is a min. for this section.  This was one of the prettiest sections I have ever done.  I hope to do this with dam water.  Discovered it takes 4 hours for the dam release water to reach Marrowbone.  If the Martinsville dam releases at 1-5 like usual M-F then the water will reach here by 5 but is is easy to out run the water so 5:30 -6 might be better.

This section has so many rock formations in the water and 10 class 1 or 2 rapids in 3.75 miles.  In low water this run is interesting but look forward to doing it with the dam release water.

Big Creek to Hanging rock Access on the Dan River

Dennis and I with  Kelly and Warren Stacks floated the Dan yesterday.  We put in at Big Creek at the bridge on Lynchburg rd. and got out at the hanging rock access. Putting in here at the bridge is steep and muddy and there is very little parking.  This is not my favorite put in. The Dan River Company does this run and their private put in access is much better.

Warren and Kelly our paddle buddies.

Youth group kids rock jumping.

Kelly is victorious over a rapid.

Fun Day, fun people!

Just floated a rapid.  I think this is my favorite place, in a river!

Warren floating the rapid.

It took about 3 hours because the water was so low and we stopped and played a little.  Also we almost did not go because the river guage said it was 1.55ft and the cfs was 121.  My book "Paddling the Eastern NC Rivers"  said 1.5ft was the minium to paddle this section and we were close and the min. cfs was 125 but the river was  fine if you follow the current. 
This run is perfect for beginners.  It has class 1 rapids along the way and beautiful scenery.

It was a beautiful day with great friends.

Philpott Dam to Bassett- 2 unit release Smith River

Today Dennis and I decided to try redo this Smith River run at a different water level. The Philpott dam had a 2 unit release instead of 1 unit releases we have done in the past.  The dam ran from 1-5 today.  Sources told us it runs 1 unit for the first and last hour and 2 units the rest.  We put in at 2:30pm and got out at Bassett at 4:45.
The water level was up about 2 more feet than the last time.  Many of the rapids were washed out but the current was stronger than usual.  I would rather do this run at a 1 unit release.  It is more fun and the rapids are better.  Mark at Three Rivers Outfitters told me that you need to wait a minium of 1 hour after a dam releases in order not out run the water. The water is crystal clear and the scenary is pretty for the most part.  It does have several ugly trailers on the way.

We saw a bald eagle flying over the water today and a otter in Philpott Lake.  We also saw many wild ducks and Grey herrons.

This run has push and current.  I would not take beginners on this run because the water is deep and would be very difficult correct a swamped boat.  There is very very few places you can stand up on this run and the water was about 43 degrees and it was 95 degrees outside.

Snow Creek to Hemlock Access on the Dan River

Dennis and I discovered that the dam release water from Kibler 11-5 Saturday is at the section on the Dan River at Snowcreek to Hemlock at 9:30am Sunday.  During a time where the rivers are so low this is helpful if you want to paddle in the summer.  We arrived at Hemlock Access at 9:00 and put in at Snowcreek at 9:30am and got out at 11:45am at Hemlock. The water was up on the section more than I have seen it but it was very muddy from the rain with the dam release.   It did wash out some of the rapids.  The river gauge at Fransisco said 1.64ft but that is because the release water had past there.  This was no indicator of the water level at this run.  The class 2 at the end of the run (Hemlock Access) was the most fun I had ever run it.

I may do this section  the next day of the dam release again as long as it had not rained.  The muddy water took away from the beauty of this section. I decided after yesterday and today that I do not like MUDDY water. I like clear water with no tires in it.  Saw 3 car tires along the way.  Why would someone put tires in a river?

 If I remember correctly the peak of the release hits Hemlock at 10:30AM AFTER A Kibler dam release Saturday 11-5.  I just know the water was at Snowcreek today at 9:30am.

Jessup's Mill to Hart Access on the Dan River

Today Dennis and saw the river gauge at Fransisco at 2.18 and we thought it would be a good time to do Jessup's mill run on the Dan River.  We dropped a car at the Hart's access and put in at Jessup's Mill.  It is around a 6 mile run.  The folks at Jessup's Mill are very nice, tubing and let us park our car there.  I can not wait until they get everything fixed up there.  It is a work in progress.  Jessup's Mill has camping and music a couple of times a month. http://jessupmill.com/?page_id=538

When we got into to the water I noticed the painted river guage on the bridge said 1.9ft and the water was very muddly from the rain last night.  This was a fun run but I would have liked it at a 2.00ft or higher.  It is very hard to read the river lines in shallow water when the water is so muddy.  We bumped and scraped our share of rocks that we could not see coming.  Came the closest I have come yet to flipping today, twice.  I did a 360 degrees spin on two occasions stuck on a rock as well.

I found a new fishing technique today.  Just paddle our orange liquid logic coupes down the Dan River and trout just jump out of the water into the back of your boat, at least that what happened to Dennis.  Discovered that the river guage for Fransisco is close to the Hart access. It stated a 1.9 when we got out. I'll have to remember that.

New River at Gentry Rd to New River Outfitters at HWY 221 in Scottsville NC

Today Dennis, mom and I left to meet my brother Alan and his family at New River Outfitters to kayak the New River at Scottsville/ Jefferson NC just passed Sparta.  http://www.canoethenew.com/

 

This was Nana's first kayak trip! She mastered it at the end.

We put in at Gentry rd off Hope Wagoner rd and got out at the New River Outfitters location at 221 after the bridge.  There is one obstacle.  It is a low water bridge that usually you need to portage on the left but the water was so low we could float under it.  I think this would be a much better run if the water was not so low.

This was my mom's first kayaking trip.  She is close to 70 and ready to be "stretched" as she put it.  I was really proud of her. When we started mom got stuck before Dennis and I could get out boats in the water.  She got the hang of paddling halfway through the trip and by the end did great!  The biggest danger in this run is getting stuck on a rock because the water is so low.  It was so low that we bumped and grinded many places along the way.  It has some rapids but is a great beginner run the water is clear and only 1 1/2ft deep on most of the run or less.  Next time I will look at the river gauge.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&format=gif_default&begin_date=2012-07-06&end_date=2012-07-06&site_no=03161000

Alan and his massive fish.

Alan was camping at the New River State park Campground.  It was very nice.  Great place to camp if you want to play on the river. Our run went past it's two accesses.  I knew we were close to being done as we past  it.  Great place to picnic or take a break.
Family float down the rapids.

Smith River,Philpott dam Spillway to Bassett access, July 4th

Had to go again!  It is hard to find places that has water in July, especially when we have had 2 weeks of close to 100 degrees with no rain.  July 4th we decided to take Casey and Carly to the Smith River.  Carly said she would only kayak if she did not have to paddle.  I believe she is a little lazy so Dennis and I thought this would be a good run since it is a dam release and the water is very cold.  We put in at 12 and got off at 2:15.  It was perfect.  I was a little worried we would out run the water release since they released from 11-9 and we put in at 12 but it was fine.  The video shows us going through the last rapid and Casey bumps Carly and she has to go through  backwards. The release was much like the last time 680 cfs and 4 ft.

Smith River, Philpott dam to Bassett

Today Dennis and I was looking for a place to paddle.  We were planning to paddle Kibler Valley to Saw mill Lane on the Dan River but the Kibler dam did not release water as scheduled.  Call Three River Outfitters in Eden, NC and talked to Steve who was very helpful http://www.3-r-o.com/ .  He referred me to Doug in Troublesome Creek Oufitters who knows all about whitewater trips. http://www.troublesomecreek.com/ . Doug said it would be a good idea to try faster moving water before I try Kibler Valley below the Basketball courts because the run is technical.

 He suggested we do Philpott Dam release at the spillway to the Bassett Access behind the Bassett Furniture Factory. It was about 6 miles and took us about 2hours and 20 minutes.  The Dam released from 11 am to 9 pm today it releases  690cfs and the gauge 4.01ft. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv?02072000 River gauge at Philpott.  Access information:  http://danriver.org/RiverInfo/Access/SmithRiver_PhilPott.htm

Doug said the water is always cold so be prepared.  The water temperature was in the 40's and the air temperture was 97 degrees.  It felt like we were riding on an air conditioner.  In cooler weather we would have to dress much differently because it was nice today and it was 97 degrees.

You start below the Philpott dam at the powerhouse.  This is one paddle trail where you only need to paddle to keep your boat straight.  The water keeps you moving it the dam is releasing which is the only time you can paddle it.  This run has several class 1 and possibly 2 rapids and the descending gradient of the river keeps you moving nicely.  It was really fun.

 Dennis and I could not get over how clear the water was.  This river was much deeper than others we have paddled 4-8 ft for fast moving water but you can see clearly everything on the bottom of the river including fish. It you are a new paddler you may not want to start here.  There are very few places to right your rec. kayak if your flip because the water is so deep.  I only remember 2 possible stopping places to get out and stretch.  No picnic spots to sit down on.  Even the grass spots in the movie are under water and boy is that water cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I could only bare walking in it for a few minutes before I could not feel my feet.

It was beautiful until you get to the take out access right past the second bridge.  It gets ugly fast from the remains of the old furniture factory and industrial soil.  Perfect trail to paddle when we have had a week of temperature near 100 degrees.