Hughes and Hazel

Ran hughes/hazel from 603 to 522 on 3/5/08 in an open canoe. It was about a 5 hour trip.

The run was awesome with almost constant biggish, but easy class II for the
first 7 miles. This is novice whitewater at its best. The Rappahanock at Remington gauge was peaking around 6.3 when we went. And the 522 bridge gauge for the Hughes was around .5ft. This was a perfect water level for a canoe.

644 Low water bridge is a must scout! Its dangerous because it sneaks up on you after a bend, its in
fast water AND both banks are lined with briers. It was not a fun portage. I spotted it early but I'd
scouted during the shuttle. Look for the green 'Leaving Culpeper/Entering Rappahanock County' sign as I was able to see that well before the bridge.

At this level there was only one river wide strainer that required portage and it was probably a mile downstream of 603. At higher or lower levels the strainer situation may be a little different. We ducked under some that would require portage at higher levels and cleared one by a couple inches that would be exposed at lower levels.

John Bolecek