Gauley
5. Camden-on-Gauley to Curtin Bridge
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 9.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 15 fpm |
| Gauge | Gauley River Near Craigsville, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 40 minutes | 11.17 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 7, 2022 |
River Description
An alternative put-in that deletes one mile of flat water paddling may be made at Allingdale at the confluence of Strouds Creek and the Gauley River.
The section below the Cranberry contains the most gradient (20'/mile) and rapids.
This section also includes RF1 05050005047.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
The Curtin bridge takeout is on river left just after the Cherry flows into the Gauley. The Craigsville gauge is on river right, next to the old green bridge. Vehicles can park at the switchback in the gravel road (taking care not to block access or the private gate) or up next to the highway. Curtin bridge is also the takeout for the Cherry and the lower Cranberry, and the put-in for the Top Gauley (Crupperneck section).
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportat 13+ feet on the craigsville gauge (located on gauley near takeout at curtin bridge) the rapids below where the cranberry dumps become quite sizeable and require making moves around large holes. At those flows it is no longer a beginner run. So for a beginner 11 to 13 feet is the sweet spot, higher levels think intermediate skillset.
This is a nice run for a liesurely day of paddling with easily negotiated rapids for the novice but requires enough skill to keep the intermediate paddler intrigued. Don't try this at anything below a gauge level of 11 ft. or you will spend more time dragging and walking than you do floating and paddling.