Big Sandy Creek (Cheat trib.)

In the first major rapid below Bruceton Mills WATCH OUT for the huge rock in the center which is VERY UNDERCUT. The chutes to each side are DANGEROUS! Two people had close calls here this past weekend; one guy lost his pasddle; the second guy dislodged it the next day. Run far right.

FYI, the last rapid on the upper Big Sandy, just above the bridge at Rockville, is usually run best on the left side. The far right requires a lot of water to avoid the 'abusive' label, and I got fairly beaten up just right of center, the other day, too. The left side is definitely easier, unless you just love to slam rocks.

You should ignore Robert Farmer's second comment below (the 4/22/11 one, not the one about the waste dump plan). The statement that the confluence rapid is the very first one is completely inaccurate. There are about a half dozen class II+ rapids on the Big Sandy above the mouth of the Little Sandy, one Class III, and many of lesser difficulty. The 'miles of flatwater' statement is also misleading. The flat water section of the Upper Big Sandy is somewhat longer than the flat water section of the Little Sandy, but I'd say it's only about 1.5 times as long, the scenery is pretty once you leave the interstate, and once the rapids start they are quite continuous. The difficulty builds slowly, which makes it nice as a confidence builder for a person with Class II-III skills. I often take Class III paddler friends down the Upper BS who are looking for something lively but not too intimidating. Like Robert, I prefer the Little Sandy to the Upper BS, and I agree that the Little Sandy is a bit more difficult, more interesting, and more fun than the Upper BS, but there is plenty of II+ fun on the Upper BS above the Little Sandy.

7.3 Feet

7.3 Feet, At this level river right, left, and center are open, at lower water take the center and cut right.

Above 7 feet at falkenstein run left for two easy boofs, or right for more complex ledges and holes. After that the only thing to watch for is the tree that is down across the right side. It apparently just changed and split in two, the safest bet is the small channel on far left, you can cut over after passing a little bushy island. The rapid above Rockville bridge is not difficult, just be ready to eddy out at the bottom for your takeout (the surf wave at the bottom can be enticing) Its split into three channels at high water-- go right for easiest, left or center just a little more complex. At lower water go with the center channel heading right.

7.3 ft, lower ledge

If you do the Little Sandy, you enter the Upper Big Sandy about 100 feet below the first rapid/ledge, so you miss only one pretty much insignificant rapid, unless you want to carry upstream and do it. (I'm not sure how feasible that is.) This avoids miles of flatwater on the Upper BS. (The Little Sandy is much more exciting/interesting than the upper Upper BS.) But the flatwater is nice, too, sometimes, if you like that sort of thing. . .

There is some great surfing and playing on this run in the 7+ foot range. Awesome waves to be had!!

Probably the most significant rapid on the Upper Big Sandy. We ran this on tight river right. The middle line doesn't look that bad, but there is a hidden rock that backs one of the ledges. There is also a fun little sneak of river left.

This is the last drop of a sweet little side creek that flows into the Upper Big Sandy. It is an easy hike up to the top of the falls.
A sweet little side creek
You can see the full-sized version of this photo by clicking here.