DRBA Offers Two Paddle Trips in October

As part of its two-day observance of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Dan River Basin Association will offer two paddles in October on the Dan River.

Dan River Float, Moratock Park to Snow Creek
Saturday, October 4

An easy, leisurely four-mile float on a scenic, less-traveled section of the Dan River will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Moratock Park in Danbury on Saturday, October 4. The Dan River Basin Association invites the public to join in, free of charge, for this regular First Saturday Outing, rated as Class 1 in difficulty.

High forested bluffs make this section of the Dan particularly beautiful and Native American fish weirs are found in the river bed. The trip begins near the historic Moratock Iron Furnace and ends at the new Snow Creek Access just below the site of the 1918 Pitzer Steel Truss Bridge. In addition to early fall foliage, one can expect to see animal trails, herons, geese, and songbirds.
Participants should supply boat, paddles, life jackets, drinks and lunch, wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans) and provide a back-up change of clothing. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.
To reach Moratock Park traveling on NC 8/89, turn onto Shephard Mill Road, crossing the bridge over the Dan. At the end of the bridge, an unpaved drive on the right leads to the boat launch near the old iron furnace.


Dan River Float, Snow Creek to Hemlock Golf Course
Sunday, October 5, 2008

A five-mile float on the Dan River will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5, from Snow Creek Access to Hemlock Golf Course in Stokes County.
The Association invites the public to join in, free of charge, for this special outing.
History and legend abound on this section of the river, which is characterized by high bluffs forested with hardwoods and stands of stately hemlock trees. Branches of the Great Wagon Road forded the river; caves are said to have been used by Confederate draft dodgers; and Davis Bluff, the scene of a fatal fall, is also known as Mount Horrible.
This section of the Dan River is rated mostly as Class 1, but the remains of a former Duke Power dam, dynamited in 1975, create a sometimes challenging Class 2 rapid. Fortunately, the dam/rapid is within sight of watchers at the take-out ramp, which the Association is using with special permission from the landowner.
Participants are asked to meet at Moratock Park, in the town of Danbury, NC at 10:00 in the parking lot downstream of the bridge over the Dan River, on Shephard Mill Road. From there they will set a shuttle and then begin the paddle at Snow Creek.
Participants should supply boat, paddles, life jackets, drinks and lunch, wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans) and provide a back-up change of clothing. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.

A bonus activity each day will be participation in North Carolina Big Sweep, the statewide watershed cleanup event held each fall. Trash bags and data cards will be provided to all boaters.
To reach Moratock Park, take Highway 8/89 to Danbury, turn onto Shepherd Mill Road, cross the Dan River, and immediately turn right into the Moratock Park parking lot.

For questions about the outings, contact Will Truslow, Trip Coordinator, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com.