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.

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.

Big Creek Bridge at Lynchburg rd to Hanging Rock Access, June 26th 2012

Took Casey, Parker and Jonathon kayaking today down the Dan River.  Parker and Jonathon were 1st timers and did well although Parker went down several rapids backwards.  Parker raced me several times and he is pretty fast paddler too.  I was worried the water would be too low it was 1.4 all week but rained the night before and that morning it was a 1.67 ft at the river gauge at the Fransisco bridge.  This made the water just fine on the section from Lynchburg rd to Hanging Rock Access. (Very little parking at the bridge.) This section is good for beginners.  It takes about 2 hours and it is about 6 miles.

Fun memory:  The way to float a rapid is to lay striaght as a board, cross your feet, cross your arms.  Casey, Parker, Jonathon and I floated through a rapid in our life jackets.  Fun Day.