Virginia Rivers

The Piney is a tiny little river that rarely has enough water to run, but when it does it sure is fun.  There are a couple of day trip options depending on water level, both of which are suitable for an open canoe with fairly experienced paddlers.  Be prepared to take a lot of water and make sure to have flotation in the boat and, if the weather is chilly, a wetsuit.  The water moves very fast, particularly in the upper section, calming down by the time it reaches the Tye.  The river is too steep and congested for normal open boats above the intersection of Jack Hill/Woodson.

Recommended Trips:

• Put in at intersection of Jack Hill/Woodson, take out at Gulf Ford Road on the Tye.  This is a long run that includes a good portion of the Tye, would be a 2/3 to all day trip, requiring high water for the upper portion.  I’d guess 20 miles or so, but fast water.  This is a great day trip for fun rapids and scenery.  You’ll go under several bridges before reaching the confluence with the Tye.  Make sure to read the Tye River description, as you’ll need to portage a small dam on the Tye for this run.
• Put in at Jack Hill/Woodson, take little hamlet of Piney River, at intersection of Rose Hill Road and Old Rose Hill Road.  This is a short fast little run for folks who just want the most fun rapids, won’t take more than a couple hours.

Directions to Put Ins and Take Outs:

Jack Hill/Woodson Rd: From Massies Mill take Rt 666 (Dickie Rd/Jack Hill Rd) clear over the gap to the Piney.  This road turns to dirt out near Embley’s Gap Road. From points further east, ie Rt 151, takes Lowesville Rd west, then turn right/north on Woodson Road.  This is an unofficial put in, but with good access on the right bank just downstream of the bridge.  Park off the side of the road.

Piney River/intersection of Rose Hill Roads: Just downstream of the bridge on the south side of the river drive to a little sandy rocky put it.

Tye River Road: From 29 north of the Tye head east on Tye River Road; the take out is just downstream of the bridge over the Tye.

Sections of River To Run:

Jack Hill to hamlet of Piney River: The river is only about 10 feet wide or so at first and flows very fast when there’s enough water in it.  We had to get out and dump water every hundred yards or so.  You’ll go under a bridge at Lowesville about halfway through, immediately after which is a big old ledge.  This is as fun a stretch of river as you can find.  It is exciting and fast all the way to the hamlet of Piney River.

Hamlet of Piney River to confluence with Tye River: Calmer and slower, but still quick, particularly right at the put in.  Check out a nice jumping rock about a mile into the trip.  This stretch of river is real pretty, with nice rocks, farms, and mountains, maybe a class 2 rapid here or there but much calmer than higher up.  It will take perhaps an hour and a half to reach the confluence with the Type, perhaps a little longer.