Cowpasture
2. Griffith (Route 630 Ford) to James River
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 13 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | Cowpasture River Near Clifton Forge, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 29 minutes | 161 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 21, 2025 |
River Description
This is a great trip, with beautiful scenery and good water quality. Although there isn't a lot of whitewater, the current moves along well and there are plenty of riffles and small wave trains. The main rapid is a small ledge (II or II+) about a mile downstream from Griffith. Run on the left side with a little left angle. Two other spots may be worth mentioning for novices. First, after passing under the I-64 bridges, there is a third bridge (Longdale Furnace Rd.) where the main current flows directly into a bridge piling (see the gallery for what can happen here). However, it's easy to see from upstream and move to the right. Second, about a mile downstream, there is an island where most of the flow goes left. Near the end of the island, the flow accelerates and pushes into a cliff on the left. This can be avoided with some right angle and a little paddling.
Alternate accesses are at Sharon park (5 mi.) and Evans Tract (10 mi.), where the gauge is located. Generally 600-700 is the minimum for putting in at the Griffith ford.
See Also:
Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 250.
Exploring Virginia's Waterways, Ed Gertler (2022 ed.), p. 180.
River Features
Put In
The put-in is in Griffith at a ford on Rt. 630, just downstream of a suspension bridge. Limited parking.
Rapid
Most of the water is on the left and goes over a small ledge. Angle slightly left.
Sharon access
Sharon park access, river right, upstream of the I-64 bridges. Parking, picnic tables, porta-potty.
Evans Tract access (Rt. 633, McKinney Hollow Rd.)
Evans Tract access, river right, downstream of the bridge. Parking but no other facilities.
Take Out
The takeout is on the James River at the Iron Gate/Lick Run access on the downstream river left side of the Rt. 220 bridge. Parking is up top on the other side of Glen Wilton Rd. No facilities.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan the section from Griffith Rd down to James River takeout at 220 at about 700CFS. At this level there is minimal scraping, fairly steady current and beautiful scenery. About 2 miles in there is a significant Class II+ on the left .. read and run. About 5 miles in you get to the Sharon put-in/takeout .. a highly recommended lunch stop. Its not until about 2/3 the way down that you start seeing some summer/fishing cabins along the river bank for about a mile or so. Towards the last mile, the Jackson enters on the right, slightly degrading the water quality (and smell). With fairly steady paddling and a 30 minute lunch break, we finished this trip in just over 4 hours.
We ran from the Griffith ford to the Evans Tract access (10 miles, 3 hours) at just under 700 cfs, a decent level with no scraping. There is really only one rapid of any significance, a small ledge just upstream of the second railroad bridge, best run on the left, with a left angle. Great water quality, beautiful scenery. Sharon park, just upstream of I-64, is about halfway, if you want a shorter trip. I hear Twin River Outfitters puts in there as low as 300 cfs.
Paddled on 5/11/2019. Griffith Rd to Rt 220 Iron Gate takeout. Gauge was 610CFS. Kinda boney through many of the rapids, and through the numerous cobble bars. Two of our group got hung up in the rock garden about a mile from the put-in.
Corbin's book says 200CFS should be enough for this stretch. Personally, I wouldn't do it any lower than the 610 we had.
A better take out is on the down river, left side of the 220 bridge. There is a nice parking lot with a gravel road down to the water's edge. Head of James Road has very limited parking and feel like you are in someone's back yard. The 220 bridge is less than a half mile more paddling and an easy take out.
this is a fairly scenic run..watch out for a tricky 3 foot ledge a mile-er-two from the put-in !
Cowpasture River
Cowpasture River