DRBA to Paddle Dan from State Line to US 58

On Saturday, April 7, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) invites you to paddle a rarely traveled section of the Dan River. 

The organization's First Saturday Outing will float 9 miles from the Berry Hill Bridge at the North Carolina-Virginia line to near the US 58 Bridge in Pittsylvania County, VA.

Participants will meet at 10:00 am at a private access point on the north side of Berry Hill Bridge on Virginia Route 880/North Carolina Route 1761 (GPS36.543508,-79.605914).

Three Rivers Outfitters of Eden, 336-627-6215 or http://www.3-r-o.com/, will offer boat rentals and shuttle for the float, which will end on private property with the owner's permission.

Coordinator for the outing is Dr. Will Truslow, avid paddler and past president of DRBA.  Truslow says, "This is the first time DRBA has had a paddle through this part of the Dan.  Most of the trips is in Virginia with gently moving water, and there is a subtle beauty to the section. We're likely to see blue herons along the way."

 Participants in the outing are asked to bring boat, a life jacket for each boater, lunch, and water.  Since the lunch stop will be late in the trip, snacks are recommended.

 Dress in layers of synthetic (quick-drying) fabric or wool, and be prepared for wind or rain.  All participants are asked to sign a waiver.

To reach the put-in from Eden, take NC 770 (Meadow Road) east.  Continue into Virginia on County Road 863 (Berry Hill Road).  After 0.8 mile, turn right onto County Road 880 (Stateline Road).  The destination is through a gate 1/2 mile ont he left.

From US 29, turn west onto NC700 toward Eden.  After 6.9 miles, turn slightly right onto Loop Loop.  Take the first right onto Berry Hill Bridge Road.  After 2.5 miles, cross the Dan River.  Proceed a short distance to the first curve, and turn right through the gate.

From the west, take US58 east toward Danville.  Turn righ5t onto County Road 708 (Long Circle), drive 0.2 mile.  Turn left onto County Road 862 (Oak Hill Road); drive 5 miles.  Turn right onto County Road 863 (Berry Hill Road); drive 0.8 mile.  Take the first left onto County Road 880 (Stateline Road).  The destination is through a gate 1/2 mile on the left.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.

For trip information, contact trip coordinator Will Truslow, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com

For information about the Dan River Basin Association, visit http://www.danriver.org/.