Potomac

Three different putins have traditionally been used:

1. (Harpers Ferry Rd) - A short run from the Maryland side - proceed up river from the Sandy Hook, MD takeout to Lock 34 where the road turns away from the river. This short section used to be a common beginning whitewater boat training section when there was more access below the Dam. But today, there is no parking anywhere near this putin, which limits its utility.

2. (Bakerton) - A little longer run, putting in on the West Virginia side, but there is parking and this put-in is only several hundred yards above Dam #3. To get there, follow Rt. 340 towards Charles Town to Bakerton Rd., where Millville Rd. goes off to the left and a substantial brick building and 'Wilts Fruit Mart' is on the right. Turn right on Bakerton Rd. and follow it until the road goes under a stone railroad bridge. After going under the railroad bridge, make an immediate right into the River Runners Potomac Put-in. There is a charge here ($15.00 per person Memorial Day through Labor day or sometimes $5.00 before Memorial Day or after Labor Day, depending upon who you talk to - payable at the River Riders office off US 340 on Millville Rd). (If you join the Mason-Dixon Canoe Cruisers (MDCC) for $10.00, then $0.00 - but notice to River Runners is required for larger groups from Memorial Day through Labor Day - see MDCC/River Runners agreement [https://www.facebook.com/groups/masondixoncanoecruisers -- scroll down to May 27. 2022 for details]).

3. (Dargans Bend) - A much longer paddle (including 2.5 miles of flatwater) is to put-in at Dargans Bend Boat Ramp on the Maryland side, where there is plenty of free parking (but alot of flatwater). The Huckleberry Hill C&O hiker/biker campground is about 1.8 miles below Dargans Bend boat ramp. After the flatwater there is a broken out Dam (Dam #3) that starts the Class II whitewater section.

'Shenandoah/Potomac Confluence' Playspot Levels & Surfing Waves:

'Wake Up Call'(river left in first rapid after confluence) 2.5-5'[Point of Rocks gage] - wave/hole good for front surfing, spins and cartwheels.

'Maui Wave' (river center) 7 feet to high water[Point of Rocks gage], perfect at 9-10'- wave good for front surfing and spins. 'Mavericks' (river right) 12 feet to high water[Point of Rocks gage], reaches incredible status at 14' and above - dynamic wave good for all kinds of wave moves. 'Squirtland Ledge' or 'Sunset Blast'(second rapid river center) 6-10 feet[Point of Rocks gage], perfect at 7.5-8.5' - wide hole good for spins, blasts and cartwheels.

The first takeout ('Potoma Wayside') is on the Virginia side immediately before the lower (MD) 340 bridge. There is space for loading and unloading here, but there are only three parking spaces where you can leave a car. The Harpers Ferry Adventure Center has a take-out just downstream that can sometimes be used during the week (Mon-Thurs) by prior arrangement (It depends upon who you talk to and what they think about their constraints). Other parking options near Potoma Wayside are very limited and/or expensive. The whole parking and traffic situation on the VA side can be somewhat daunting because of the narrowness of the shoulder and the speed of the heavy two lane traffic.

The second takeout ('Weverton') is 1 1/2 miles of flat and moving water downstream from the US 340 bridge on the Maryland side. This take-out is hard to see from the river and requires a long walk through the woods and down the tow-path, but it does have an authorized on foot at-grade railroad crossing.

Other takeouts include:

('Brunswick' [also on the Maryland side]) requires an additional 5 miles of paddling, with the last 3 1/2 miles consisting of flatwater; however, there is an authorized at-grade railroad crossing for vehicles and a boat ramp offers the convenience of easy access and close parking.

('Sandy Hook') is on the MD side and is 1/2 mile downstream from the confluence of the Shenandoah River on river left immediately before the US 340 bridge at Sandy Hook. To reach this takout from Rt. 340, take the last left as you approach the 340 bridge from the MD side, then take the first right to the bottom of the hill where the road approaches the railroad tracks. The takeout trail crosses posted railroad property and involves crossing two sets of very active tracks. This once very popular takeout has been closed by the railroad.

The same takeouts can also be used to run the Millville/Bull Falls/Staircase section of the Shenandoah. This is a longer and somewhat more interesting run, but there are times that low water levels would make the Potomac the better option.