Maury,

Goshen Pass (Route 39) to Rockbridge Baths (Goshen Pass)

Low-water Corner Rapid

Low-water Corner Rapid
Photo of Wendy Dalton by Trafford McCrae @ 550cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

Safety Warning: There is a lethal strainer in Devil's Kitchen.

On March 29th, 2009 a kayaker perished on the log that is wedged against House Rock. Please take a moment to view this image and make sure you know where the hazard is located: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Photo_detail_photoid_42741_

UPDATED: Since this picture was taken, the log has been cut into several large pieces which will probably move when the next high water occurs. You may want to also check the forums at http://www.coastals.org/forum/ for more info.

The fatality reportedly occurred as a paddler tried to enter the large eddy above House Rock, which is a staging eddy for several of the right-side lines. Reportedly he was flipped in "House Hole" - a ledge above House Rock and the staging eddy. Please also note: There is also a log below water level on the far right, above the staging eddy (this log is a hazard for a seldom-run line on the very far right entrance to the staging eddy, but don't be tempted to go over there as a sneak right now).

I'm not in the business of recommending lines, but the "classic" left-to-right line that starts on the far left eddy ("Cadillac Eddy") might be the best option for most paddlers right now, especially if you are unfamiliar with this rapid or the location of the wood.

Other wood hazards: May 8th, 2009: The higher water this past week brought with it a lot of new wood. There is more wood in the river now than at any time in the past 15 years. By and large the wood is not in the main lines, but it could still be shifting around. There is still plenty of wiggle room on this river, so don't shy away, but be heads-up.

Conditions and hazards are ever-changing, and no one can know of all the dangers on any run, and each boater is responsible for their own safety.

Development Alert: Please help preserve Goshen Pass!

It has recently been revealed that the Boy Scouts of America is proposing to greatly expand the use of the existing scout camp above Goshen Pass. The development would need to possibly accommodate 50,000 - 250,000 new visitors to this tiny, relatively undeveloped area.

Unfortunately we don't have many facts yet - most of this has been negotiated outside of the public eye, but there are some serious concerns about:

a) sewage effluent into the Maury River above Goshen due to the greatly increased number of visitors to the camp

b) significant road building or expansion to accommodate a drastic increase in traffic to the area ( i.e., they would need to build a highway to the camp! )

c) possible sale of public land (Goshen-Little North Mtn. area)

Please understand that this is not about the Boy Scouts, this is about a very real development threat to Goshen Pass and the Maury River.

For more information, and to help, please check out:
http://savegoshenpass.blogspot.com/

Shuttle Description:
This run is almost entirely a roadside trip. Route 39 runs very near the river for almost all of the run. Above Indian Pool the land is state property - the Goshen Pass Wildlife Management Area. There is private land below Indian Pool, but still plenty of access. Put-in and take-out options abound.

Take-out: Many folks still take-out at the General Store along Rt. 39 in Rockbridge Baths. Proceeding upriver, the other take-out options are as follows: The Ledges, The Springs, Indian Pool, and Laurel Run Picnic Area.

Put-in options: The standard put-in is at the swinging bridge at the head of the Pass. To reach this area head west on Rt. 39 through the Pass; you'll see Laurel Run picnic area on your right. Drive about 1-1.5 miles past the picnic area and then begin looking for a gravel road heading off to the right. The road is immediately after the river swings away from the road. Turn right onto the gravel road and drive about 100 yards. There is a large dirt parking area here. Other options exist.

Trip Description:

Please read the above information about the very dangerous strainer in Devil's Kitchen. View an image here: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Photo_detail_photoid_42741_

This is probably Virginia's most classic Virginia run - and for good reason: The Goshen Pass section is 3+ miles of roadside intermediate whitewater - with plenty of play and slot-moves for the more advanced paddler if you know where to look. The scenery is superb and the river running is always enjoyable. See also Ed Grove's , "Classic Virginia Rivers" (1992, Howling Wolf Publications). In brief the main rapids go like this:

"Undercut Rock": A large undercut boulder rests near the right bank with most of the river passing to the left over an almost-river-wide 3' ledge. Most boaters run a line down the river-left.

"Roadside": makes a small green wave or two at certain water levels. Here the river necks down against the road embankment while dropping over shallow shale.

"Bikini Row": ...named for the lovely college ladies from Virginia's finest university (W&L of course) who decorate the riverbank in the late spring and summer. This class III section has several pools, boulders and a few mellow slot moves if you look around. A word of advice: that chick on the shore doesn't think splatting is as cool as you do... in fact she wonders why you keep bumping into that rock like an idiot.

"Devil's Kitchen": Ater Bikini Row the water slows down (at most levels) at a large pool before entering a tilted boulder garden known as Devil's Kitchen. The Kitchen is the signature rapid in the Pass and there are many, many options for lines. The classic line is to catch "Cadillac eddy" behind the large rock on the upper left, then chart a course pointing 45-degrees towards the opposite (right) bank, negotiating small ledge holes on your way. This line will take you far away from the two undercut rocks which are below "House Rock" (the huge squarish rock near the middle-top). Alt lines are everywhere for the creative paddler, so catch an eddy and look for something new if you want some variety. Award yourself one point for every eddy you catch through Kitchen. The record is around 40-45 eddies. Be aware of the lethal wood hazard in the middle of Devil's Kitchen (read above).

Below Kitchen: There is a series of distinct two-foot ledges jutting out from the right bank; then a jumbled rock garden, called "Double Pin." The rapids then quickly taper into a pool just above Laurel Run picnic ground.

Laurel Run Picnic Area: A long flat stretch of water with a developed picnic area on the right bank. Rest rooms (open in summer). Alternative access is possible here. Open-boaters can be seen here taking long drags on cigarettes to calm their nerves.

"School Bus Boof:" At 800cfs+ this is a nice boof onto a shallow rock shelf. Immediately below is...

"Laurel Run wave:" This was once a wide retentive hole. Now it is a small surfing wave at lower levels. Tiny, brushy Laurel Run enters from the river-right. After the wave, some class III water wraps around the corner toward...

"Corner Rapid:" Although Kitchen is longer and more technical, Corner seems to cause more carnage. You'll know you're reaching Corner when the river turns sharply left and a concrete-buttressed overlook is visible high above the river. Tourists and shuttle bunnies lurk far above the river, eager for carnage. A sizable pourover dominates the center of the river. At low to medium flow, this pourover makes a great boof. Some folks opt to squeeze just to the left of the pourover and then cut quickly back to the right in order to miss "Hematoma Hole," an aggressive chunk of barely submerged sandstone. Other route options exist, including "the meltdown," "Hoffa Slot," and "Hoffa Jr." - all of which are to the right of the boof. Hoffa Slot is a thin line into a hidden room where you can disappear like Jimmy Hoffa, but hopefully not for as long as old Jimmy.

"Wall Rapid:" (aka, "Sliding Rock rapid") Here the river is pushed to the right against a sheer sloping rock wall. Run against the sloping rock for the deepest water. Rock spins!

"Indian Pool:" After "Wall" and a few more small rapids, you'll reach a quiet stretch known as Indian Pool. Access is possible here if you want a shorter run. This is a great spot to take-out if the water is low, or you want to do multiple laps on the best whitewater of the river. The small rapid above Indian Pool reportedly has a nice eddy line for squirt boaters. The last hole becomes a primo playspot at 4000 cfs.

Below Indian Pool: Below the pool, there is a playful stretch of class III water with several workable playholes. Along the left bank, in the middle of more class II-III water, three ledges in a row stick out from the left bank. All three are retentive, but shallow. Access is possible at "the springs" - look for a pipe sticking out of the woods above a creek. You may note the sign, "Water Not Safe For Drinking." Park in the gravel pull-out there.

"The Ledges:" Another stretch of class II-III water leads into The Ledges. Here, in typical Goshen fashion, a rock ledge juts from the left bank. The ledge creates a river-wide surf hole big enough for at least five boats. The surf is best here at 1000 cfs or above. Look for a blue house with a concrete retaining wall rising from the river. Access is possible immediately after The Ledges on the river-right.

"Lava Falls:" There is no "lava," and this is not a "falls." At most levels this rapid is pretty mundane, but in the very rare high flood this rapid is transformed into possibly the biggest hole on the river - a huge standing wave/hole reminiscent of the "real" Lava Falls on the Colorado.

Brillo: An easy class II-III drop runnable on the right, or down a middle line. There is a jumble of pinning rocks on the left.

After Brillo you'll soon paddle under the Route 39 bridge, and then a swinging footbridge, to reach the old General Store and Post Office in Rockbridge Baths. Enjoy.