Paddlin’ Ed

Sat., Jan. 12, 1008 - one of the best and most beautiful creeking runs around this area -”White Top Laurel (WTL)” class 3-4, just outside of Damascus Va. was up and running that morning at +3 on the paddler gauge.  Four of us did the run starting from the bridge at Taylor Valley, mid-upper section down.

 Brian C. who lives locally had checked the gauge that morning and let the group know we where good for a run.  On Thursday night 1/10 the area had recieved heavy rain up into the area upstream know as the “Grayson Highlands” which feeds WTL’s headwaters.  Brian C. and Jason B. who both live not far away had been able to run it on Friday while it was rising, and came off the river that afternoon with +7 on the gauge.   Fortunately the water held and we still had a nice level of +3 on the paddlers gauge (plenty for the run) on Sat. morning.  Many areas around did not get expected rains like this area did, so we where just greatful and fortunate have to a nice run like this to paddle close by.

All together the four of us Brian C. K-1,  Jason B. K-1, Paddlin-ed K-1, and Kevin K. in OC-1 met up at Brian’s place and set shuttle.  We elected to put in at Taylor Vally which is about mid-way in the upper section.  It was beautiful sunny, mostly blue sky January day. Temps in the upper 40’s, which with the isolation and shelter of the WTL gorge was still nice paddling temp.  Water was clear and cold but not objectionable especially for this fabulous and exciting run.

WTL - is truely a beautiful mtn. stream almost alway crytal clear, at worst only ocassionally a bit cloudy imediately after heavy rains.  It’s headwaters from the Grayson Highland - Va. State park area tend to keep its waters pristen.  It is followed along side by the beautiful Virginia Creeper trail - which is a hiking and bicyling trail along an old railroad bed from the days of the little railroad line that used to run from West Jefferson NC. through the Grayson Highlands, down through the WTL gorge into Damascus Va. and then finish at Abington Va.  The trail follows the run winding back and forth over the many old railroad tressels across WTL, but is not readily noticed in most places from the river.  It nice however even for the paddler as occasionally it provides access to a paddler if they need to get off along the run, and is used by hiker and cyclists who often come to watch the paddlers when the waters up.

All of us had run WTL many times before so we pretty much all played and did our thing just keeping in range as a group for river safety.  I got out below the middle takeout, but the rest of the group ran on down past the end of the lower and on past the confulence with Tennesse Laurel Creek just outside the town of Damacus and then on through town where Beaverdam Creek joins the river and on down to Ironhorse campground where they took out a couple of miles beyond town.

Great Day and Great Mid-Winter Paddle - Fabulous Creek Run through a truely beautiful and senic gorge.