Turkey Creek/Robeson Creek (Pittsboro, NC)
| River: | Other |
| Skill: | Novice |
| Trip Date: | 02/13/2025 |
I had been meaning to get back to Robeson Creek at a decent level and today was the perfect opportunity. All the rivers were high and I knew Michael Merletto was looking to paddle, which was great since it had been a while since I’ve paddled with him. As was the case when we explored Richland Creek a couple years ago, Alton was game to join too. Just like Richland Creek too, I insisted that we start on a tributary of the creek (tributary of a tributary of a tributary to be exact). Turkey Creek was actually not bad and offered swift water and some small rapids. Only one portage as well and it even had a paddlers’ gage that looked somewhat official about midway to the Robeson confluence. We had 1.7 ft on the gage and figured that at 2.5 ft, it’d actually be a decent part of the trip. It wasn’t bad for us though, just a smidge too low.
Once we reached Robeson Creek, we had better water level. After a Y shaped limbo log, we reached a mill dam that looked very boily river right and possibly runnable river left. We played it safe and carried river left, putting in below and playing in the outflow. From here water was swift, but mostly flat for another mile and a half or so. After reaching the creek that I had taken previously near branch drive, things started to look familiar to me. We played our way downstream, admiring the scenery and occasional wave before we reached the island that marks the real rapids of the section. From here it stayed fairly continuous with the occasional strainer to portage. Most of the rapids were really just boogie and small wavetrains, but there is a diagonal riverwide ledge that stands out as a play option. Additionally, I was surprised to find a 3-4 ft ledge that I don’t remember from previous trips. I figured this was some sort of logjam whether constructed by beavers or the creek water flooding. It was somewhat friendly so we ran it without any problem and continued boogying down till we finally reached Hanks Chapel bridge and then taking out at the Robeson Creek Boat Ramp.
I can confidently say that it was worth it to spend my half a day’s worth of pto time with friends on an exploratory mission. It really hit the spot being exciting enough to warrant the trip on a workday while still being very low stress.