Elk Creek to Penns Creek Paddle.

This is an excellent run in early spring with fresh snow melt or if PA experiences a couple days of rain. The run last roughly and hour and a half. Contact Tussey Mountain Outfitters www.tusseymountainoutfitters.com in Bellefonte, (814)355-5490, for updated conditions.

 
Seth Gordon and I (Bill Wolfe)started the trip in Smulton PA, parking by the second little bridge on Smulton Rd. An easier put in location is located on RT 445 N outside of Millhiem PA. There's a pull-off by a bridge that crosses Elk Creek and its easy to find since its also a popular fishing spot. There's nothing exciting above the bridge and during high water you have to take out and go around the bridge anyways. Take out parking is available at the Tunnel in Coburn. Take 445S and when you see a large iron bridge, cross the bridge and take the first left on Tunnel Rd. You'll see a tressle bridge crossing Penns Creek and the parking area is to the right of that. Again easy to see since a popular fishing destination.
Seth had a whitewater canoe and I had my white water kayak and since it was early November we both decided to wear paddling suits, good decision. The trip is fairly tight and littered with rocks barely visible and has a few chutes and can be a technical run. After a sharp left turn on the stream it gets a little more technical. Seth centered his canoe on a submerged rock and became a victim to the current.

Luckily we had a rescue rope and after freeing the canoe from the rock and dragging a water laden canoe to bank we were on our way again. When you see a a house on the right hand side with a deck around the back it gets fun. There's a 100 yard stretch we call the ladder, it drops suddenly and the water is forced between two stone walls and the current increases greatly. This is where I fell victim to the rocks. At the bottom of the ladder the current slows down greatly and the nose of my kayak caught a slow current while the tail of my kayak was still running full speed. The water here is shallow so I highly recommend a helmet. I have a fresh scratch across my bucket and could only imagine what my hairline would would look without it. Rolling was not an option with the shallow water and I tried to push off the bottom, but to no avail. So within 100 yards we had to wet exits. 
The rest of the run is the same with tight maneuvers and differing currents. When you come into Millhiem and see the state bridge crossing Elk Creek, BE AWARE THERE IS A WATERFALL. Not much of a drop but can be dangerous none the less. If you choose to run the falls stay to the right of the abutment. This gives a straight run down stream.  The rest of the stream runs through farmland and out of the way of any major roads and traffic. You'll go under two bridges after the falls and when you see a red barn and white house on the left side of the stream be ready for another tree. I made it through a small opening of branches, but Seth had to take out since he drafted more water. 
After the third bridge keep to the right around the small islands. They have some sharp bends and the creek narrows greatly with rose bunches hanging over the edges. A few scratches, but still looking good. After the fourth bridge and a a right bend in the creek was another tree. This one was on the verge of washing away, but was still a pain. Seth had no problem with the canoe, but my skirt was a different story and there's little room for banking. The creek is a relaxing trip after you pass the confluence of Penns Creek and Elk Creek. The creek widens and the current slows down quite a bit. The only place to worry about is when you start seeing the camps along the stream and a Willow tree hanging over the stream. Stay to the right and be prepared to take a hard left. Take out is just before the tressle bridge on the right bank by the large willow tree. There's a small eddy that will hold your vessel steady will you remove your gear. Don't park in the grassy areas or leave your vehicle along the road to long. The property owners are a pleasant bunch and we like to keep them that way. 
There's a small store on the outside of Coburn on the left we call The Shack that has snacks water and a good breakfast, or you can head back to Millhiem and at the red light you'll see Elk Creek Cafe that has a happy hour between 4-6 Wed-Fri and brunch on Sundays between 11:00 and 2:00.
Thanks for reading and Great Adventure to You.