Rain Chaser 3: Sideling Hill Creek, May 28

By Ginny Quam

One of three Thursday paddles that day, Sideling Hill Creek, from Bryant Tract conservation area (High Germany Road) to Green Ridge State Forest Campsite #85 (Stotlemyer Road/Cliff Road), 9.75 miles. Sideling Hill gage near Bellegrove, MD, 2.47 ft., 390 cfs at 12:30 p.m., 2.40 ft., 362 cfs at 4:15 p.m.. Weather: mostly sunny, low to mid 60s, winds NNW 11-14 mph, gusts 22 mph. 

We had 10 paddlers taking advantage of a picture perfect day, both weather and water. Four OC-1s: Gary and Ginny Quam, Hendrik van Oss, and Kim Buttleman; and in K-1s: Tony Allred, Wayne McDaniel, Hildy F., Pam White, Lisa Laden and Jenny Thomas. We put in at the small conservation parking area off High Germany Road. Right off I-68, over the one-lane bridge and right into the parking area. The gorge was as lush and beautiful as ever. We had to negotiate some saplings between the put-in and the old Route 40 bridge, but otherwise no wood or strainers blocking our way. With a warning from Frank Fico who had run it the day before, we avoided a left channel maybe 8 miles in, with a lot of wood that they skillfully negotiated, by going right around the island instead. Everyone enjoyed lots of fun eddy-catching and some surfing. We didn't see much wildlife, but some mountain laurel and rhododendron were just starting to bud.