Ashtola Road to Shade Creek 5.5 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
IV 45/90 Tiny (31/52) A/A
Reitz Streamside
Topographic Maps: Ogletown, Windber
County Maps: Somerset
Description: The first 3 miles is a fast-moving Class II plateau stream to the Windber Reservoir. Portage dam on either side. The last 2 miles plunge through a small canyon at a fast pace. The canyon starts as large boulders with small pools, then becomes continuous boulder gardens with occasional ledges. [Checked 2003]
The Bens Creek Canoe Club’s web site offers a description of this creek, as well as several others on the area.
http://www.benscreekcanoeclub.com/Creeks.htm
Difficulties: Fallen trees within 0.5 miles below dam.
Shuttle: From take-out follow State Route 160 north approximately 2 miles to Ashtola Road (State Route 1033). Turn right for about a 4 mile drive to Ashtola. In Ashtola make a sharp turn to the right and go about 4 miles to the stream.
Gauges: None. If it looks runable at the take‑out, then it is. Ferndale gauge of 5.5 to 6.0 feet on nearby Stony Creek will probably give a good estimate of runnability.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.