Glade Creek (Manns Creek tributary)
Babcock State Park to the confluence with Manns Creek
| Difficulty | V+ |
| Length | 2.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Meadow River at Nallen, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 6 hours | 378 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 24, 2005 |
Named Rapids include:
Gristmill Falls
Gladiator
Pillage & Plunder
Goliath
These rapids are above the second footbridge allowing an easy retreat if you find yourself in over your head. There is a road that is access to rental cabins that you can use to walk back to the parking lot.
Shortly afterwards you will hit the main stem of
Manns Creek and continue down to the New River just across from Cunard. Standard takeout these days is at Keeneys creek. Makes for a reasonable shuttle.
Some people put on below the falls because it can be tricky to run and eazy to get hurt. There is a very clear launch piont in the center of the falls. However what you don't see is the water pushes hard away from the launch pad and toward the left. This is where you don't want to be. There is sort of a V notch/crack in the lip of the drop that wants to flip you then spit you over the lip of the falls. The landing is not very deep.
After Grist Mill Falls there is a large pool that is formed by and old spillway. Eazy 10 ft boof. From here the creek goes down hill and fast!
After some fast water you will come to a fast moving, small pool. Take out on the left to scout. This is a three part drop. The first is a 4 ft boof over a large hole into very airated water. Dig in hard to avoid a huge backender. after you pull away from the hole you will see a large curler going around a rock. Brace into it and ride that around. Next will be a horizon line. Boof left off of the 5 ft drop to catch the eddy at the bottom or straight and continue down hill.
Mar 7, 2011
Here is an image captured from the webcam with the gauge at 5'.
Feb 25, 2011
Recently the park has put up a live webcam image on their website (www.babcocksp.com) of the mill in which you can see enough of the creek to get a decent idea of what it is running. Here is a photo of the gauge at 2'.
Apr 5, 2005
This rapid located directly below On Ramp comes quickly after the second footbridge. It is best scouted from the right and portaged on the left.
