Laurel Creek (Cherry trib),

Jetsville (CR 39/14) to Fenwick (Cherry confluence)

Usual Difficulty	III+(V) (may vary with level)
Length	5.3 Miles
Avg. Gradient	75 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
GAULEY RIVER NEAR CRAIGSVILLE, WV
usgs-03189100	14.00 - 16.50 ft	III+(V)	07h56m	10.98 ft (rc= -1.2 )

River Description

This creek is small with tight turns and continuous action. The biggest rapids (named Rockpile 1, Rockpile 2, and Rockpile 3) are in the sections where the creek does not run along the road. As you go down the creek try to figure out when you are going through one of these rapids. Watch out for strainers during the whole trip.

The floods in November, 2003 changed the section below the bridge on Saxman Road significantly. What used to be 2 channels appears to be several braided channels and it's not clear if any one channel has enough water to make it runnable.

If you make it through this section and want to extend the trip another 3 miles you can use Rhododendron Park on the Cherry as an alternate takeout. When there is enough water to run Laurel Creek, the Cherry is usually running pretty high. It's interesting going from the tight, technical confines of Laurel Creek onto the wider and more open Cherry River.

Putin: Where Saxman Road (39-14) crosses Laurel Creek for the second time about 5 miles from Route 39. There is a gauge on the upstream side of the bridge.

Takeout: On river right by the bridge on Saxman Road (CR 39-14) unless you think you can continue down to the confluence with the Cherry. Then you can take out on river left on the Cherry just below the Route 39 bridge.