The Skinny

A 2-stage multicache for kayakers, with a moderate tree climb at the end.  From put in to take out it is 8.5 miles.  The first several miles have class I and II rapids (bonus!) After that it is flat water (workout!)  The carry from the take out to parking is 800 feet (eek!)

The Meat

Check water levels; probably easiest to run at 4 feet or higher (but 3 or 3.5 still okay).  Stage 1 should be accesible without leaving your kayak.  Inside Stage 1 is a three-digit number.  To locate final coordinates, multiply that number by 98.42 for North; multiply by 52.22 for West. As simple as that! Ok so maybe have along a phone or scratch paper (yeah right!) to do the math.

The Full Course

Having hiked along most of this stretch of Bull Run for years, I was eager to kayak it after reading this paddling review. Two hardy souls joined me as we dropped in around sunrise; the stream gauge was at 4.5 feet.  We had mostly smooth sailing through the various riffles, only a few bumps.  The rapids to us seemed to be beginner level, a little bit of adrenaline but nothing crazy. 

And we saw herons.  Lots of herons.  They would invariably wait for us to get close and then take off down the river ahead of us.  Screech at us from the treetops before swooping down to show us our path. We joked that we were herding them and at the end they would all be waiting for us to exact their revenge for disturbing them.

Just upstream of the take out point is the Bull Run Marina. The park system sells season passes to use this facility. However it is free to use the posted take out location and haul your gear up the hill. This will help tone your muscles, whet your appetite, and make the first post-paddle beer taste even better.

for Most Outstanding Location/Scenery, Most Physically Challenging to Find, and Best Multi