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Trip Reports

Goose Creek - 690 cfs - Sat, 30 March 2019
Alford Cooley
We were 7, 3 of us new to this classic Class II (II+) run, and one away from it for 20 years thanks to the crazy restrictions post 9/11.  We met at the Kephart take-out at 1:00 and put in at  the "passive park," a tiny side stream next to Sycolin Road that we've been using for the last several years.  Paddlers were Tim Tilson, Peter Potter, Dana Verkouteren, Pam White, Glen Johnston, Jo Cox, and Alf Cooley.  This takes you out into the reservoir behind the Fairfax Dam.  From there Pam & Alf clambered out to photograph progress? on Loudoun Park's intended permanent put-in - a will-o-the-wisp we've been chasing for going on three years. 
 
      At the dam we let our boats down by rope, re-entering the stream, which was flowing at a vigorous 690 cfs.  Several rapids until the big guy - Golfcourse rapid - Weather turned warm (60s) and the wind was at our back as we scooted by the golf-course - where a threatened housing development was just getting under way.     A big pick-up-sticks strainer in the center at old Va 7 bridge was easily avoided, and we bounced down the remaining rapids to our take-out, encountering a single kayaker working his way UP the river.

     On the politics side - I note that we've been working the LoCo Parks and Water authority for going on five years, but I should say - for precious little results.  It was reassuring today, however, that we passed a couple of LoCo Water guys fishing in the reservoir who said they had previously worked for Ffx Water - NB - they conversed with us prettily and had no problem with our being out on the waterway - which I remind folks - is one of Virginia's "scenic waterways."  
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