A. White Bridge to Willow Tree 5.3 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I 7/11 Tiny B/B
Topographic Maps: Garards
Fort, Masontown
County Maps: Greene
Description: The first two miles is through State Game Lands, then farms and woods border the stream. An occasional fallen tree may block the way, but it is primarily an easy float.
Difficulties: Occasional Strainers
Shuttle: To reach the put-in, start on State Route 88, just west of Greensboro. From State Route 88 turn west onto State Route 2016. Follow State Route 2016 to Garards Fort. Continue west on State Route 2016 for about two miles past Garards Fort to the second road on the left. Turn left/south and go to the covered bridge. To reach the take-out, retrace your route to Garards Fort and continue east on State Route 2016 to Willow Tree. Turn right/south on State Route T 416 and follow to the bridge about a quarter of a mile from the intersection.
Gauge: None. If the water is deep enough along the road east of Garards Fort, this section should be okay
Normal Wet Period: Only after a heavy rain or snow melt.
B. Willow Tree to Masontown Bridge 4.3 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III 22/60 Tiny (54/90) B/B
mouth
of creek
Topographic Maps: Masontown
County Maps: Greene
Description: The creek enters a steeper narrow valley here. The water is Class II picking up to Class III in places, then diminishing to Class II below the State Route 88 except for the 35 foot cascade.
Only about 2.5 miles of this river was paddled. The trip could be extended about 2 miles downstream if one could find access through or around the coal processing plant below State Route 88, or were willing to take-out across the Monongahela River at Mt. Sterling. The river contains a half-mile gorge with 20-foot vertical walls on both banks. This is caused by the river cutting through the resistant layer of bedrock that forms the bluffs along the Monongahela River. After the gorge the river is pooled for about 0.6 miles to the take-out. The scenery is attractive throughout the run. [Reported 1988]
Difficulties: There is a runnable 2‑foot ledge about 100 yards downstream of a railroad bridge. The 0.7 mile gorge contains numerous smaller ledges and a boulder field. A lot of maneuvering is required to follow the stream's sinuous path. There are few eddies. If you extend the trip beyond the State Route 88 Bridge there is a 35-foot cascade near the mouth of the steam. The cascade has a vertical shoreline with no place to stand. It drops 35 feet in about 35 feet of distance. The 150-yard portage can be made on either side, but the left looks easiest. At the bottom of the cascade is a coaling station, so after putting back in watch out for barges in motion.
Shuttle: The put‑in is the take‑out for Section A. The take-out is back to State Route 88 and then turn left/north on State Route 88 to where the stream crosses the road.
Gauges: None available.
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.