ISSUE: Access to the Lower Gauley is threatened as a result of the limited availability of parking at the put-in and take-out. Parked vehicles on the put-in road often indavertenly block other vehicle access, including safety vehicles and commercial buses. Landowners along the road, including some commercial outfitters, have threatened to deny access across their property unless this problem is resolved.
As a result it is important for everyone to work together and make a concentrated effort to leave as few cars at the put-in as possible, and to avoid blocking traffic on the put-in road even if it requires walking a little bit further.
As a private boater, you can help by thanking Class VI and USA Raft for letting you access the river via their property at Mason Branch (AKA Panther Creek).
American Whitewater Goal Long-term): Work with the Park Service to secure an improved put-in for the Lower Gauley, and a publicly-owned take-out for the Lower Gauley.
American Whitewater Goal Short-term): Work with commercial rafters to improve vehicle access and private boater parking at the Lower Gauley put-in.