Staton's Falls to Pedlar River

Statons Creek is a steep half-mile of back-to-back slides, waterfalls, and technical boulder drops falling through a mossy, narrow 'gorge' reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest. And it's all runnable for the competent class V paddler...unless wood is in the way. Statons is a perfect compliment to the many other steeps creeks in this area, but Statons has a more pool-drop character than most of the other nearby runs (North and South Tye, South Fork Piney, South Rockfish, etc.). On Statons, you'll be presented with a sampler platter of whitewater delicacies. Enjoy tilted slides, chunky cascades, and a tricky waterfall. Finish it off with a slew of technical boulder gardens thrown in for spice. Most of the drops are pure bedrock drops, unlike the boulder gardens typical of this region. You'll start this steep sprint right at the base of towering '140-foot' Statons Creek Falls. The first drop, Chunderslide, sets the tone for the creek. After that you'll encounter a 15' waterfall, another good slide, a cascade, and the infamous 'Log Flume' drop, and more. Wood is always a factor on Statons Creek. This was once a virgin hemlock forest, but the invasive wooly adelgid beetle devastated the region's hemlock trees. For many years this creek remained unrun due to the massive wood piles that blocked the streambed. Two days of careful and laborious wood-removal led to its first-descent. Wood will continue to be a factor on this creek. Please scout the drops for wood on your first lap and watch out for each other. The gorge is steep, narrow, very rocky, and riddled with downed deadfall hemlocks. You do not want to hike out of here with your kayak. This is a steep creek with guaranteed wood, please bring the appropriate skills, equipment, and crew to enjoy this fun sprint of a creek! WARNING: The 15' waterfall on this creek ('Johnny Wise's Hole') is a deceptive hazard. Setting safety here is recomended. There have been at least two very-close calls in this drop due to the powerful hydraulic at the base of the drop, and possibly a fatality. The recirculation at the base of this small waterfall does not *look* bad, but it is deceptive. The smooth walls of the streambed here create a powerful vortex off of the left-side wall. Additionally, the boil-line of this pothole-like waterfall is more retentive than it appears. This drop is like an Altoid mint - 'curiously strong.' The locals call this 'Johny Wise's Hole; according to the legend 'Johny Wise' never came back from fishing this pool. Flow: The gauge listed for Statons Creek is actually on the Pedlar River, downstream from Statons Creek. This is a rough correlation/barometer gauge. Statons is a small tributary creek of the Pedlar River. Mason and I once handpaddled Statons in the summer with the gauge at 70 cfs, and had enough flow. But i've also gotten to Statons at 150 cfs in the winter and found it too low to paddle. So use the Pedlar gauge to give you a rough idea if Statons Creek *might be* running.