Washington (Old Route 211) to Rock Mills (Route 622)

The Rock Mills takeout can also be used for whitewater sections of the Covington and Thornton. Ed Evangelidi testifies: The Rush certainly is appropriately named, especially in the upper parts. The '“old'” Rte. 211 bridge just above the present highway was severely damaged in a flood and replaced with a bridge that is much higher. With it went a handy painted gauge. Therefore the best rough gauge now is to go to the small park just downstream from the highway and look at the gravely rapid just downstream. If it is marginal, the whole trip may be an annoyance. This creek competes with the nearby Covington as to which falls first. So don’t assume that they will both be either up or not, even though they roughly require and get the same rainfall. There is a wire fence just downstream from a sharp left turn in the creek. It has a tiny eddy on the left just at the fence. Don't crowd your probe and when you see wire fences along the banks and come to a sharp left turn, be on the lookout. You can usually have someone stand in the cold water and lift the wires to let the others through. This small creek has numerous surf spots from top to bottom. See Also: _Virginia Whitewater_, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 157. _Exploring Virginia's Waterways_, Ed Gertler (2022 ed.), p. 141.