A. Greer Road to Van 11.0 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I 15/17 Tiny A/B
Streamside
Topographic Maps: Cranberry,
Kossuth
County Maps: Venango, Clarion
Description: Very tiny at start with minimal flow. The first half mile is just filled with strainers after that the going gets easier as the flow swells from tributaries. It is a very pretty woodland passage with high sandy banks and hemlock. Eventually it runs to scrub forest, then mixed forest with some mountain views. Initially the run is very riffly, but it has less gradient later on. Cobble bottom. Lots of acid inflows. [Reported 1994]
Difficulties: watch for the occasional fallen tree. Above 2nd bridge is 5-ft. dam. Carry.
Shuttle: The put‑in is where Greer Road crosses the East Sandy Creek. To reach the take‑out, go north on Greer Road to State Route 2004. Turn left/west and follow State Route 2004. Note that it turns off the main road at Goodman Corners and does a few jogs after that. At Hill City turn left/south onto State Route 2015. Follow State Route 2015 about 2.5 miles to State Route 322. Turn left/east onto State Route 322 and go 0.5 miles to the bridge in Van.
Gauge: None. Look at the rapids just downstream of the US Route 322 bridge. If that is easily passable then this upper section should be okay.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable through March.
B. Van to Allegheny River 10.5 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
II 21/25 Small (54/90) Van A/A
Small
(103/172) mouth of stream Rouseville
Topographic Maps: Cranberry, Kennerdell
County Maps: Venango
Description: The entire run is in a narrow forested valley. The creek is shallow and narrow but fast when the water is up. Its starts as continuous Class I. The 2 to 3 miles above State Route 257 has six Class II rapids and the mile or two below has long stretches of Class II. The two biggest rapids are just after the road bridge at Deep Valley Park. Best surfing on waves at left turn after crossing under fourth bike trail bridge after Deep Valley Park road bridge. [Checked 1999]
Difficulties: There may be downed trees, especially on the upper section. In high water, maneuvering gets tricky. After crossing under Rockland Road bridge and first bike trail bridge, look for big boulder in creek on river right with big, red alien painted on it. When water levels are around 4.5 feet or higher (Rouseville gauge) the right side of the end ledge on the following rapid can develop a sticky hole.
Shuttle: Put in where US Route 322 crosses the creek in Van. Go west on US Route 322 for about 7.5 miles, turn south on Astral road which is about 0.5 miles west of Victory Heights. Go 2.6 miles to the mouth of the creek, ignoring the "Dead End" sign. The last mile is rough and will require vehicles with moderate clearance. For a 7‑mile trip, take out at Deep Valley Park (State Route 257). Note: Deep Valley Park is the name of the small community here, there is no formal park. Go west on US Route 322 for about 5 miles. Turn south at Egypt Corners (Bucktail Road) (1 mile west of Cranberry), and go 2.5 miles to the creek. Do not park in the very tempting "parking area" on the right on the east side of the bridge. It upsets the neighbors.
An alternate take‑out that requires about a 0.3 mile carry on the bike trail is to park at the Belmar, across the Allegheny from the mouth of the East Sandy. There is no public access nor vehicle access to the river on the Belmar side of the Allegheny so you will need to take out at the mouth of the creek, carry your boat up to the bike trail, then up the stairs to the bridge and across the Allegheny to the bike trail Parking lot. To reach this take‑out from the put‑in take US Route 322 west into Franklin. Turn left at second light after crossing Allegheny River. Turn right when road ahead says \"No Outlet\". Go about 5 miles, past \"No Outlet\" sign. Gravel parking area is on the right at the bottom of the hill. Paved trail leads off from the left side of the parking area.
Gauges: None. Look at the stream from the State Route 257 bridge. This is the shallowest part of the run. The Rouseville gauge on nearby Oil Creek will probably read above 3.5 feet.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable through April.