Bluestone

I have paddled this section a few times over the years mostly at higher water (1800cfs, 2500 cfs, and 4500 cfs). It is a wonderful river with nearly continuous rapids after the first few miles, countless waterfalls pouring in, incredible scenery and solitude.

In Spanishburg, there is a small pull-off just upstream of a bridge with a confluencing waterway that has a seal-launch entrance. This is a great put-in for kayaks.

I realize that this AW Reach has a takeout at Eades Mill, but I like to link this with the section downstream and take out in Lilly at the confluence with the Little Bluestone. There are rapids and current all the way to Lilly. With this put-in and takeout, your shuttle driving is all done on country roads on the north side of the river, and it's not too bad. At a good flow, your time on the water should be about 5 hours. I do not recommend continuing down to Bluestone State Park! Shortly downstream of Lilly, you reach the backwater of Bluestone Lake and it is a flatwater slog for the rest of the way...

Most of the rapids on this section and the one below are read and run. The whitewater is not difficult, but you should consider a few things before jumping on this as a beginner. This river is very continuous. A swim could easily result in a lost boat or lost gear, and you are a long way from civilization (and within a deep, steep walled canyon!!). Also, there are many, many strainers on the banks, and at the water levels I like to kayak this section, the river is flowing through the trees on the sides and through islands.

Here is a description of the most notable rapids on the upper section:

I have always run the broken dam on the far left where the dam is completely gone and there is a class II-III slide. As you approach, you will see a left bend in the river, an island, a distinct horizon line, and a well kept farm and house on river left.

Bear Claw comes immediately downstream of a spectacular 50 foot waterfall and backcut grotto which come in on river right. At higher flows, I have found that it is best to enter the rapid on the right to avoid a sticky, nearly river-wide ledge. There is plenty of room to work back to the middle after the ledge and avoid the undercut shelf on the bottom right. At 4600 cfs the ledge at the top is probably terminal and best avoided.

The next rapid of consequence comes just downstream of the I-77 bridge and just above the Eades Mill takeout. The left cliff wall at the bottom of this rapid is undercut and should be avoided. I have found it best to enter with the main flow on the left and work my way to the right at the bottom.

there is no public access at the breached dam. A new house has been built since the original guidebook description. For the put in (Spanishburg) park in widespot along river and put in under bridge of side creek. I like to read the gauge in cfs and like 1500 or more for this run. At that level you can scrape down the far left when you get to bear claw. Although 1500 is kind of a tricky level for the last rapid right at the takeout so be sure to scout when setting shuttle (at high levels it is easier to sneak, at lower flow easier to cut out of the current).

Just did Spanishburg to Bluestone lake. Used a 14 ft raft with 4 paddlers. The Mill Dam Rd put in we were told by a local that they didnt think they knew of a put in. So we went about a mile down to 8780–8846 Beckley Rd
Spanishburg‎ West Virginia‎ 25922
United States

This adds a lot of flat non-current water. Not great for a raft, but a canoe or kayak might be worth the no-hassle put in off a concrete bridge. The water was running 5.5 ft (I think approx 1500 CFS). Once we hit Mill Dam rapid it started moving a little bit more. The Mill Dam rapid a gentleman on the shore told us to take the right fork in, in a raft hugged the right drop of the dam, was about 6 ft drop , then hugged the right shore to avoid a big rock river center. I suggest any rafts going at 6 ft or higher. I also suggest the Eads Mill put-in even though you will miss Mill Dam rapid. Spanishburg to Bluestone lake takeout took us about 7 hours at this water level with no stops. The last 10 or so miles are all lake and took constant paddling. I'd say 20 miles of this 30 mile stretch was flat water. Maybe 10 or 12 with good raft water. Take this in stride as I'm not great with distance on such a switch-back river. The Pipestem takeout would be ideal if the tram is running.

No rafts below 5 ft I'd recommend. The locals in Hinton/Pipestem seemed to think we were crazy for running at this water level. However, after research and talking with a nearby outfitter decided we could. For us (consider ourselves class III-IV with the crew we had) this water level was very manageable, and ran 'blind' reading the rapids as we went, no scouting was necessary for us as we could see down just far enough. The Eads Mill rapid (before the bridge there) had a rooster tail in the center. We went right to avoid it. It's a long trip with lots of paddling in a paddle boat!

Last rapid above Eads Mill

The directions here are wrong

The trick is to catch the blusetone between 8 to 10 feet. Then it starts to get some size, the slack water disappears, and the wahoo meter moves closer to the redline.
The downward pressure on the rating scale, rating this 1 to 3 [probably done by some self impressed, young surfer dude at low water] does no one any good in terms of actually figuring out whats going on with the river.
Those who hold to the creed 'If you're not on the edge, your taking up too much room', generally don't boat much past the age of 35. No, the Bluestone is not the Banzai Pipeline of rivers, but it has the potential of being a nice afternoon in Hossegor.

Ran the upper bluestone on 5/4/07 , it was running 6.89 . Lots of class 2+ 3 rapids . At this level the undercut at Bear Claw is under water . But the current will still push you right up next to where the undercut is so becareful . Below the cabin on river left to the bridge rapids class 3+, and is the best part of the run .

Undercut rock ledge at bearclaw rapid on the Bluestone River between Spanishburg and Eads Mill
Canoe stuck in the undercut, owner standing above.

Wildwater West Va. suggests portaging this broken dam,but it realy seems to be a fairly safe run with no hydraulic

Wildwater West Va. suggests portaging this broken dam, but it realy seems to be a fairly safe run with no hydraulic.