For a Go Pro helmet cam video of Wonder Falls, Zoom Flume, Little Splat, and Big Splat, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRcwW2Bs-rU
Logistics:
For those coming from the West, there is now a better road that goes South to Rockville from Morgantown Road. Turn under I-68 at Laurel Run and follow to the NEW put-in parking lot. See the Keel-haulers' map.
From the East or South, you can still head south from Bruceton Mills(I-68) or north from Albright on WV 26 to Valley Point (just about 6 miles from either direction). Look for the turn-off to Hudson Road (WV 15), take it west for 4.8 miles, and turn right down towards the river. Continue another couple miles (bear left at the next fork) to the bridge across the river. This access ends with a mile of rutty, muddy road to the Rockville Bridge and parking is limited on busy weekends. Those who don't have good 4WD often carry or drag their boats down to the bridge. To reach the takeout, head back up to Hudson Road and continue 2.3 miles west down to the Cheat River at Jenkinsburg.
Charlie Walbridge pointed out on 2005-05-04: "Mountain Streams and Trails, the new owner of the Jenkinsburg Access, asks that private paddlers running the Cheat and Big Sandy use the Upper Parking Lot during Cheat Fest Weekend. The Lower Parking Lot must be kept clear for outfitter trucks and buses. Vehicles parked there make maneuvering these big rigs difficult or impossible. (This is good advice for any high-traffic weekend.) "So please park right and give a big THANK YOU to any MS&T employees you see on or off the river!" Another option if you don't want to torture your car's suspension is to call Glenn Miller (304-379-3404), whose shuttle service is reasonably priced and very convenient. Show up on time, and whatever you do, don't stand him up! Glenn is a famously nice guy, and he and his service deserve respect.
Run Description
The Big Sandy is becoming more popular every year as the jewel of the Cheat River watershed, the largest undammed watershed east of the Mississippi. The run includes two waterfalls--Wonder Falls and the more challenging Big Splat--along with several technical class IV rapids. Big Splat is an AW Standard Rated Rapid with a difficulty of 5.1 when the Rockville Gauge reads 6.1.
At higher water levels (> 6' at Rockville), it's often fun to run the Upper Big Sandy or the Little Sandy before the Lower. This gives a longer run including good play and scenery, and it gives those who don't want to tackle the Lower a good opportunity to enjoy the Sandy without fear. You'll find a nice surfing wave at the Rockville putin, and a great view of the beautiful Sovern Run Falls.
Keel Hauler Rating - 31
The mileages given for the rapids, described below, are pretty much guesswork. We'll nail that down with a GPS thingie...someday.
Here's Bob Gedekoh's description of alternate high-water lines on the Sandy:
Here are some "High Water" Sandy Tips If you are nervous about the approach rapid to the falls it is possible to run it on river right if the river is above 6.3 or so. Scout this line first if you dont know it. At the bottom you will drop over a five- or six-foot ledge. When the river is above 6.8 most folks go this way. Actually the recycle at the bottom of Wonder Falls can get nasty if you miss the boof at levels greater than 6.6. (Editor's note: some swear that the recycle gets nasty at 6.5.) At 7 feet you really need to be on line and make the boof correctly... or risk a dangerous thrashing in the recycle at the base of the falls. When the river goes above 7.1 or 7.2 there is another completely different way to run the falls on river left... not far from shore. But don't try it any lower than 7.1 or you will piton. Even at 7.2 you need to paddle off the lip fast and keep your nose up to use that river left line. I have run this river left line as high as 8 feet. Another high-water line opens up at Zoom Flume at 6.5 on river left. It is a slide into and over an eight foot ledge. If you try this make sure you don't get pushed into the pin spot about five feet to your right at the brink of the ledge. The recycle at the bottom of this ledge gets nasty at about 7.3 and will recycle you if you don't clear it. This recycle is hard to escape. So if the Sandy is above 7.4 or so, consider going back to the usual Zoom Flume line (which is explosive), or scout the center and try to find another route. When the river goes above 6.7 or so it becomes very hard to portage Big Splat on the right because you can't get back into your boat on the launch ledge. An alternate high-water Splat portage is available on river left. At 7.5 and higher, there is a nasty hole at the bottom of the first rapid below Big Splat. I got caught in it a couple of weeks ago at eight feet and had to abandon ship. The worst part of that experience was that I had to be rescued by the son of a keelhauler. Oh, the shame of it!!!! The Big Sandy above seven feet can be fun, but it is serious business. If you attempt it, make sure you are with a strong group.
If you are nervous about the approach rapid to the falls it is possible to run it on river right if the river is above 6.3 or so. Scout this line first if you dont know it. At the bottom you will drop over a five- or six-foot ledge. When the river is above 6.8 most folks go this way.
Actually the recycle at the bottom of Wonder Falls can get nasty if you miss the boof at levels greater than 6.6. (Editor's note: some swear that the recycle gets nasty at 6.5.) At 7 feet you really need to be on line and make the boof correctly... or risk a dangerous thrashing in the recycle at the base of the falls. When the river goes above 7.1 or 7.2 there is another completely different way to run the falls on river left... not far from shore. But don't try it any lower than 7.1 or you will piton. Even at 7.2 you need to paddle off the lip fast and keep your nose up to use that river left line. I have run this river left line as high as 8 feet.
Another high-water line opens up at Zoom Flume at 6.5 on river left. It is a slide into and over an eight foot ledge. If you try this make sure you don't get pushed into the pin spot about five feet to your right at the brink of the ledge. The recycle at the bottom of this ledge gets nasty at about 7.3 and will recycle you if you don't clear it. This recycle is hard to escape. So if the Sandy is above 7.4 or so, consider going back to the usual Zoom Flume line (which is explosive), or scout the center and try to find another route.
When the river goes above 6.7 or so it becomes very hard to portage Big Splat on the right because you can't get back into your boat on the launch ledge. An alternate high-water Splat portage is available on river left.
At 7.5 and higher, there is a nasty hole at the bottom of the first rapid below Big Splat. I got caught in it a couple of weeks ago at eight feet and had to abandon ship. The worst part of that experience was that I had to be rescued by the son of a keelhauler. Oh, the shame of it!!!!
The Big Sandy above seven feet can be fun, but it is serious business. If you attempt it, make sure you are with a strong group.
After Big Splat is some more of the Class-3 boogie water that makes the Sandy such a joy. The paddler has to keep his eyes open, as there are pinning spots to avoid (especially at low water) and some play holes to enjoy, but for the most part, it's a fun slalom adventure. About a mile downstream, soon after a good play hole, comes First Island. This is a pair of narrow slots separated by a narrow, deceptively short and fast "pool." The second slot requires a solid right boof against the flow that tries to land the paddler into a very unpleasant rock.
Coordinates from Jeff Macklin (verified by GPS). The coordinates of the end of this rapid are 39.60871, -79.73970.
Soon after First Island, when you see a rectangular concrete wall on River Left, you've come to this rapid, which has a big-ol' ledge-hole at higher levels.
Thanks to Jeff Macklin for the GPS coordinates for this rapid!
Another mile below First Island is...Second Island. Not normally counted among the Big Sandy "Biggies," this one is a fun, straightforward Class-3+ boulder hop--unless you go left! If you go left, it's a blind, screaming drop with only a couple of feet of leeway. Call it a Class 5; this is a good rapid for elbow pads, as even a good line can give the paddler an unwelcome shot.
Just a few short yards below Second Island is the takeout, the confluence with the Cheat Canyon, and the beginning of the scariest experience of the day: the shuttle out!
Lat/longitude coordinates, verified by GPS, are courtesy of Jeff Macklin. Coords of the endo this rapid: 39.59684, -79.74444.
It appears the guy in the white house with the repeat offender white Pittbull has moved. As of last week it looked like new people were moving in. No dogs seen. Run/bike safe, I still recommend a big stick or can of pepper spray for this shuttle by foot.
Rob F----Hey, so I noticed some people have finally caught on to the northern approach to the put-in from the Morgantown-Bruceton Mills road; you have to turn south at Laurel Run (unmarked), near the bridge that you drive over. This approach is good only if you have a high-clearance vehicle to run the shuttle. People with low-clearance vehicles should maybe park on the south side at the top of the hill and walk the 1/2 mile or so down to the put-in. The problem is that many of us can't drive up the hill alongside Sovern Run, the short, direct shuttle route. Running the shuttle via the north side adds about 40 minutes each way. (Please don't drive like maniacs---it's bad PR, you know!) P.S. That tree at Graveyard Rock (downstream of "First Island") is still quite potentially hazardous at low water, despite the fact that the streamkeeper keeps deleting my warning!
The directions above don't seem to make any sense to me. Here are some better directions: 1) Starting at Bruceton Mills, go south on 26 about 5 miles or so (estimate) until you come to Little Sandy Creek (unmarked). 2) Immediately south of the creek, turn right on Little Sandy Creek Rd, drive through a small community and past a large-ish church. 3) Follow this road. After a mile or so, stay right at an unmarked fork near the crest of a hill. 4) Shortly after you crest a very steep hill, turn right (downhill) on Sovern Run Rd. (unmarked). If you cross the one-lane bridge over Sovern Run, you've gone too far. Drive down Sovern Run to Rockville (i.e. the put-in bridge, unmarked). 5) Takeout: Drive up Sovern Run Rd. Turn right at the top. Cross the one-lane bridge. 6) The road basically comes to a T. Turn left. Continue to the Mt. Nebo Church. 7) At a funky, four-way intersection at the church, stay right, and go up the hill. Follow this road to the bridge across the Cheat (Jenkinsburg).
I don't know anyone who calls Big Splat 5.1, at least, not anyone who actually runs it, but maybe I'm not cool enough to sandbag people. (Streamkeeper note: This is not my rating but it is AW's rating, see link: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/safety:class5benchmarkrapids for a list.) I and my friends call it Class 6, at moderate levels and above. Certainly, even at ideal levels it's no easier than 5+. This includes the upper part. -Don't confuse running the approach rapid to the (Big Sandy/Wonder) Falls with running the Falls. I have stood on rocks at the base of the Falls that are only one foot below water level, right in the middle of the right-side chute. To run that side is to risk a serious piton injury. -And I enjoy the Sandy down to 4.7. -Oh, and, probably, portaging Big Splat on the left is a good idea at or above 6.0, due to the eddy fence on the right, at the must-make eddy. Sneak left well-upstream to increase your longevity. FYI. I noticed that someone rated Undercut Rock Class 2+. This is ridiculous and very dangerous! The left side is Class 3, while the Undercut Rock itself is Class 5-6!!! The description implies that the right side might be Class 2+, and that could get someone killed!!! -And it is too harder than the Upper Yough and the Watauga! Also, for you hard-core boaters out there, please note that the second ledge in Big Splat is changing. Where there used to be a flat, smooth slab, much of the slab has broken off and is tilting perilously. This creates piton spots on the formerly-smooth bench above the U-hole. Note that the water pushes more to the right, now. This slab is undoubtedly the next Big Splat Rock, waiting for a big flood to move it farther downstream.
You can run the Lower Sandy pretty low. My minimum in a glass boat is 5.3; locals in creek boats go down to 4.8'Rafter like 5.8 or more.
2 years ago
by Bily Brown
3 years ago
by Eric Henrickson
8 years ago
by Robert Farmer
9 years ago
10 years ago
by Christian Tyler
11 years ago
by jason black
12 years ago
by Matt Muir
The Jenkinsburg Project is a partnership between a private landowner, two river-oriented non-profits, a state environmental agency, five canoe and kayak clubs, and hundreds of donors from West Virginia and the surrounding states.
Elf runs down to around 4.3 have been reported. Some rapids (including Wonder) may have different lines when run this low.
USGS Gauge
Permits are not required for this reach.
39.621300 ,-79.705101
39.596802 ,-79.748001
NA
From the East or South, you can still head south from Bruceton Mills (I-68) or north from Albright on WV 26 to Valley Point (just about 6 miles from either direction). Look for the turn-off to Hudson Road (WV 15), take it west for 4.8 miles, and turn right down towards the river. Continue another couple miles (bear left at the next fork) to the bridge across the river. This access ends with a mile of rutty, muddy road to the Rockville Bridge and parking is limited on busy weekends. Those who don't have good 4WD often carry or drag their boats down to the bridge. To reach the takeout, head back up to Hudson Road and continue 2.3 miles west down to the Cheat River at Jenkinsburg.
Charlie Walbridge pointed out on 2005-05-04: "Mountain Streams and Trails, the new owner of the Jenkinsburg Access, asks that private paddlers running the Cheat and Big Sandy use the Upper Parking Lot during Cheat Fest Weekend. The Lower Parking Lot must be kept clear for outfitter trucks and buses. Vehicles parked there make maneuvering these big rigs difficult or impossible. (This is good advice for any high-traffic weekend.) "So please park right and give a big THANK YOU to any MS&T employees you see on or off the river!"
Another option if you don't want to torture your car's suspension is to call Glenn Miller (304-379-3404), whose shuttle service is reasonably priced and very convenient. Show up on time, and whatever you do, don't stand him up! Glenn is a famously nice guy, and he and his service deserve respect.
Jonathan Janicki
Wonder Falls on the Big Sandy
Little Splat
Wonder Falls
First Island
Striding Wonder Falls
Big Splat
Kathrin at 2nd rapid below Big Splat
Splat
Super clean line at Big Splat
Gradient: Big and Little Sandy vs. Top and Upper Yough
Charlie Walbridge below Big Splat
Matt Pascal after Wonder Falls
Pleasant day on the Sandy
Well padded at Splat
Jay Ditty, Full On
Jay Ditty, C1 hero
Ed Gaker having a wonderfall run
Jay's Line at Wonder
Big Sandy Map
Sweat Boof !
1st island
Wonderfalls
Big Splat - Eric Nies
Wonder Falls - Nies
Wonder Falls Curtain - Guilfoose
Wonder Falls - Guilfoose
Wonder Falls - Ditty
Wonder Falls Curtain
Ryan Skotnicki Wonder Falls
Jen at First Island
Big splatt
Wonder falls
Sunrise over the big sandy,wv
Jared Stylin' Big Splat
How not to run Big Splat
Ed Gertler, Jack Wright, and Tom Irwin at Rockville, May 1973
Wonder Falls - Taber
Wonder Falls - Pete Morey
Wonder Falls - Jerry
Wonder Falls - Chris Fuller
Bill at Zoom Flume
Outflow of Big Splat
The Line
Open Boat(ing) Wonder
Approach to Big Splat (Horseshoe)
Big Splat with horseshoe
Jiven down Wonder
Amy Conger at Wonder Falls
Steve @ Splat
Spawning Ratt
Can you find a more beautiful river?
Wonder Falls Spanking @ 6.5 ft
First Island Drop
Zoom Flume
Splatt!
Wonder Falls!
Low Water Wonder
Wonder Falls Smackdown
Ratt Splatt
Zoom Flume, Big Sandy
First Island, Big Sandy
Splat!
If someone gets hurt on a river, or you read about a whitewater-related injury, please report it to American Whitewater. Don't worry about multiple submissions from other witnesses, as our safety editors will turn multiple witness reports into a single unified accident report.
We are happy to announce that Friends of the Cheat won second place in the Redwood Creek Wine Greater Outdoors Project, winning $10,000. The money will be used to secure land along the Big Sandy and place it in conservation easement. The land will protect public access to the river as well as the river itself. We would like to thank the many paddlers that voted online in support of the project, Friends of the Cheat for writing a great proposal and taking the initiative on this great project, and of course Redwood Creek Wines for making public enjoyment and protection of awesome places a funding priority.
Friends of the Cheat has just received a donation of a four acres of riverside land located just upstream of the Rockville Bridge along Big Sandy Creek in Preston County, WV. The donor, Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy Corporation, is the third largest independent producer of natural gas in the U.S. We plan to create parking and river access to accommodate the many whitewater paddlers, hikers, and fishermen who are drawn to this beautiful river every year but will need to raise money to make these improvements happen. Read on to find out how you can help.
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