Overview:
Goose Creek drains much of Northern Fauquier and Soutwest Loudoun, which have the highest percentage of private land in conservation easement in Virginia. As a result, Goose Creek is very pretty until it runs through sprawl in Eastern Loudoun. Goose Creek passes through many pretty hills with rocky bluffs, flows past several pretty rocky cliffs, and has exceptionally large sycamores lining its banks. There are many camping opportunities along the way, as most of the land is not posted. East of Route 15 Goose Creek is threatened by sprawl, so see it before McMansions line its banks.
Recommended Trips:
- Daytrip: Snake Hill (Rt 626) to Rt 15. This is a very pretty stretch of river that includes scenic western Loudoun and Catoctin Mountain. At roughly 14 miles, this is a good daytrip at medium water levels.
- Overnight: Snake Hill (Rt 626) to Sycolin Road. A little more than twice as long as the aforementioned trip, this section continues through pretty countryside downstream of the Oatlands area. There is good camping on river right in Catoctin Mountain, and in many places downstream of Rt 15. Camping is not allowed in Banshee Reeks park.
Directions to Put ins and Take Outs:
View Goose Creek in a larger map
Snake Hill Rd/Rt 626 is located a couple miles north of Middleburg. From Middleburg, head north on Rt 626. Park along Goose Creek on its north bank. This is a very good unofficial put in, and is not posted. From points north/east like Oatlands, access Rt 626 via Lime Kiln/Rt 633 and Mountville Rd/Rt 633, which intersects Route 626.
Snickersville Turnpike/Rt 634: This crossing, located a few miles north of Rt 50 and a few miles south of Mountville, does not appear to be a very good put in.
Rt 15: This is a tricky put in as well; I recommend asking permission of property owners adjacent to Rt 15 or accessing the creek via Lime Kiln just west of Rt 15.
Evergreen Mills Rd: Evergreen Mills Road, part of the Old Carolina Road, a colonial route, runs between Leesburg and Arcola. It could be used as a put in.
Sycolin Road: Access Sycolin from the Rt 15 bypass in Leesburg or from Belmont Ridge Road (just north of Rt 267) in eastern Loudoun. There is one parking spot in the VDOT right of way on the western side of the creek, near an old right of way (surrounded with no trespassing signs, but not itself posted) that leads down to the creek on the north side of the road.
Sections of River to Run:
Snake Hill to Snickersville: This is a scenic, calm stretch of river with the exception of one class 2 rapid. Enter the rapid on the right, then cut left, then cut back right (at river level 2.5-3 feet). Be prepared for this surprisingly technical rapid on an otherwise calm stretch of river. There are many pretty bluffs and rocky hills on this stretch of creek. Good campsites abound.
Snickersville to Rt 15: Surprisingly, there are no significant rapids as Goose Creek cuts through Catoctin Mountain. There are particularly scenic sections of river shortly downstream of Snickersville Turnpike, where Goose Creek turns north and follows Catoctin Mountain before cutting through it heading east. The presence of Lime Kiln Road does not significantly detract from the scenic aspects of this stretch of creek. There is plenty of camping between Snickersville and Lime Kiln, and on river right where Goose Creek follows Lime Kiln.
Rt 15 to Evergreen Mills: This is another flat, pretty stretch of Goose Creek. There are a few more houses, but they are well back of the river. Be sure to pull over and take a walk in Banshee Reeks, located a few hundred yards upstream of Evergreen Mills. When you hear the road, pull over on river right. The trails are bushhogged and grassy, about 5 feet wide. There are fewer campsites but still plenty of unposted land.
Evergreen Mills to Sycolin Road: Gulick’s Mill (also called Cochran Mill) is the highlight of this trip. The mill, a mile or so upstream of Beaverdam Reservoir, which is visible from Goose Creek, forms an easy class one rapid that should be run middle left. Do not attempt to run through the islands on the left, which may have strainers. The islands in this rapid mark the location of a canal lock, and an ill-fated attempt to build a canal up Goose Creek just before the arrival of the railroads. The last mile or so of this trip is backed up dam water, but is far enough upstream that the creek doesn’t widen very much, and is still quite scenic.
