Tye, South Fork, Virginia, US

Rte. 56 to Nash

Fodderstep

Fodderstep
Photo of Harris Haynie by Gordon Dalton taken 12/15/02

Gauge Information

River Description

Thanks to Mike M., here is the footage of an early run on the South Fork Tye:

www.youtube.com/watch   ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9RrE29VqJ0 )

Greg Gil (in the blue Corsica) was also along for our first descent of the North Fork and he shot video of that. If anyone knows where he has gone please let me know and i'll try to get that footy as well. Thanks, Gordon Dalton

A NOTE ON ACCESS: The landowner at the old South Tye put-in at the Rt. 56 bridge over the South Fork Tye is upset about boaters trespassing on his property. THERE IS WOOD IN THE CREEK at his property. YOU MUST CARRY THE WOOD ON THE RIVER-RIGHT SIDE. DO NOT PORTAGE ON RIVER-LEFT! He became very upset when a group of boaters walked around the wood recently. You may want to just put-in at Crabtree Falls parking lot and run the second half of the creek or find an alternate put-in below this guy's land. When the wood clears out this issue should resolve itself but DO NOT BE THE ONE WHO SCREWS UP ACCESS FOR US ALL! Avoid this guy's land.

The South Fork Tye flows through a dark wooded mini-gorge between Fork Mountain and The Priest in rural Nelson county. The drops on the South Fk. are (with one major exception) not as "big" as those on the North Fork but there are still some busy rapids. The run is essentially 3 miles of consistent class IV to V- water sprinkled with small eddies and a large dose of FU rocks to keep the wide-eyed boater moving right along. The South Fork tends to have a tree or two in it too, so be heads-up.

Shuttle Description:
The take-out is the same as the North Fork Tye, at the Evergreen Church on Co. Rd. 687 (North Fork Rd.). It may be tempting to park right at the Nash bridge, but please do not park at the confluence. After the run take-out at the confluence and make the short walk up the road to Evergreen Church. This IS an active church so park 100 feet farther up the road on SUNDAYS so that we don't take up space in the church parking lot. Be respectful and DRIVE SLOWLY on any day of the week. Thanks.

Put-in along the South Fork at the Rt. 56 bridge. To reach the put-in drive west on Rt. 56 from Nash up the mountain to the Rt. 56 bridge over the S. Fk. Before crossing the bridge turn into the gravel road on your right. Park at the first wide spot. DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD. NOTE: The landowner immediately below the Rt. 56 bridge does NOT allow trespassing on his land. You must carry some wood immediately below the bridge. CARRY THE WOOD ON THE RIVER-RIGHT SIDE OF THE CREEK!

The Run...
The South Fork Tye is almost non-stop technical whitewater from start to finish so a drop-by-drop description is not real practical. You will not need that second cup of coffee after a run on the South Fork.

The action starts right at the put-in with a narrow boulder garden leading out of sight as the river makes a quick bend to the left. There may be wood here. Carry on the right. After that the action more or less keeps up until you reach a steep slide/chute known as FODDERSTEP. Fodderstep is fairly early in the run, and not easily seen from the road. You may recognize it by a small wooded island splitting the current. Get out at the head of the island to scout. Most of the water goes up against the left bank and drops down a steep, narrow chute (see video). The chute zig-zags a bit and the water is moving fast which makes for a brief but exciting ride.

Below the Crabtree Falls parking lot the creek resumes its frenetic pace and the drops are kind of a blur - but some do stand out. LIMBO LOG is visible from the road. This is 2/10 mile below the Crabtree Falls parking lot. Here there are several large boulders essentially making a line across the river. There is a narrow sloping, chute near the middle which is good to go. Another option is to duck under a log spanning a slot against the left bank. In winter you may have to break out the yoga skills to duck under the icicles hanging from the log.

Farther downriver is JEFF'S JOLLY, a 5-foot ledge that drops into a very sticky hole. A huge rounded boulder makes up the right bank. Boof hard up against this boulder/bank to miss the hole. I have seen a few good boaters swim after dropping into the maytag...in fact, the drop is named for the experience one skilled Charlottesville boater had at this ledge one day in the mid '90's.

As the trip nears its end the road swoops up and away from the stream. Keep an eye out for a log spanning the river near here - this marks a nice boulder garden known as SHINTO.

Towards the end of the trip, just when you think you're getting into a groove with some hypnotic III+/IV- water, the creek lets loose with one last pushy IV+ drop that seems to come out of nowhere. This is JUNKYARD. Hang on tight and keep your boat flat - the holes are stronger than they look.

When you reach the confluence your mission is complete. Carry up Rt. 687 (North Fork Rd.) to your car. If you had a good run and you're feeling like a stud, drive back up toward the put-in and take a look at Crabtree Falls which spills into the South Fork from the river-right. There is a nice steep trail leading up the Falls. This massive series is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. See a good line? Still feeling cocky?

Note: Most of the year this stream is a mere trickle. The "SFT" flows through the backyards of some real nice folks - so be cool. The locals know it as a trout stream and the idea of kayaking this type of water is strange to them. Often their reaction to kayakers on this creek (and other nearby storm runs: North Fork Tye, South Piney, etc.)is less than pleasant. Please represent the boating community in a respectable, mature manner while in this area. Remember the lessons of John's Creek. Do not escalate a situation even if you "know" you're in the right. This means keep a low profile: no public nudity, no littering and no overt partying (you know the deal by now). Also, please be mellow behind the wheel - the roads are narrow and windy. Scouting from a moving car will not work well on the S.Fk. anyway. IF YOU HAVE TO PORTAGE OR SCOUT - DO IT ON THE RIVER-SIDE OF THE CREEK. Do NOT trespass on the river-left side. If you see another boater doing something that might threaten relations with the local non-boating populace please try to "enlighten" them. Thank you.