Cowpasture

Ran 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