Little Sandy Creek (Jefferson County)

Worthville to Mayport                                     8.0 miles
(Red Bank Creek)

Class           Grad                    Size (Area/Volume)                  Scene/Pol              Level

     I             15/30                      Small (73/122)                       A-B/A                        
                                                              mouth                                                                     

Topographic Maps: Summerville, New Bethlehem

County Maps: Jefferson, Armstrong, Clarion

Description: From Worthville to the State Route 3003 bridge below Langeville this is a pastoral stream running through farms and near roads. The steep mud banks are slippery but not high, and you should expect numerous fallen trees. A sandstone outcropping just downstream from the mouth of Ferguson Run offers the opportunity to hunt fossils while you eat lunch. At State Route 3003, the creek enters a 300-foot deep gorge, lined with rhododendron, laurel, hemlock and wild roses. If you catch the creek with water in late June, you will find the fragrance delightful and the display stunning. In the gorge, the gradient picks up to a steady 25 feet per mile, which appears as continuous riffles rather than distinct rapids. The trip ends with 1.5 miles on the Red Bank Creek, which will be flowing at a pretty good rate whenever the Little Sandy is up. [Reported 1992]

Difficulties: Expect fallen trees partially or completely blocking the river.

Shuttle: To reach Worthville from State Route 28, turn sharp right on State Route 536 about 5 miles northeast of the New Bethlehem bridge. Cross the Red Bank Creek at Mayport. This will be the take-out. Turn left after crossing the bridge in Mayport continuing on State Route 536. About 2.5 miles after the northeast edge of North Freedom, turn left on Snyder Road just after crossing Nolf Run. Follow this road for 1.5 miles and turn left when it joins State Route 3003 just before crossing the Little Sandy. Follow State Route 3003 through Langeville, bearing right where 3003 forks left. After a mile this road becomes State Route 3031, which takes you to Worthville. At Worthville turn right/south on State Route 3014, and put-in where the bridge crosses the creek. To reach the take-out, retrace your steps. There is intermediate access at the State Route 3003 Bridge.

Gauge: St. Charles. This gauge on nearby Red Bank Creek will probably read above 6.3 feet (2003 rating table).

Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.