Roanoke, North Fork

Paddled 8 miles starting at Falls Ridge to the Rt. 603 bridge at 2.2 on the Ironto gauge, 900 at Glenvar. This was a sufficient level but not high. Most of the whitewater is in the two miles between the Falls Ridge bridge and the Seneca Hollow bridge. There is a class III just below the Falls Ridge put-in which can be scouted from the railroad track; the rest of this section is II or II+. Lots of good surfing waves. Below Ironto proper, there were two portages due to logjams, and a few other spots where you can narrowly get through. Also not mentioned in any guides is a class III slide of 4-5 feet. In a long straight section with the railroad tracks on your left, the river narrows and picks up speed with some standing waves followed by a horizon line. Catch one of the micro-eddies on the right bank and take a look. It's straightforward but can't be boat scouted. Great surfing wave in the run-out. The Rt. 603 bridge is oddly low with just enough clearance; at high water you may need to get out upstream of it.