Cherry, N. Fork
Third WV 39 and 55 Bridge to Richwood
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 7.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 66 fpm |
| Gauge | Gauley River Near Craigsville, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 58 minutes | 12.95 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 4, 2004 |
River Description
Logistics: You have a couple options for access on this run. One popular put-in is at the second Hwy 39/55 Bridge across the river. Alternatively you can continue upstream to the Monongahela National Forest North Bend Picnic Area. Beware of strainers that are more prevelant as you continue further upstream. The take-out is at the Richwood School Bridge.
Description: The North Fork Cherry provides consistent action and is a fun run when area rivers are flowing high. As flows increase the eddies begin to disappear and you need to be prepared for strainer hazards so use caution. The run is nearly continuous class III and as you continue downstream there are a couple of class IV rapids. Use caution at a couple of man-made ledges, but you should be able to find a clean line. There is also a dam behind the 4 Seasons Hotel as you approach the take-out. Scout carefully to pick your line and continue through the best class IV rapid on the run just downstream. There is another dam a short distance downstream.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe ran this at about 13.5ft on the Craigsville gauge, and I'd say it was a little below minimum. We made it down, but with more scraping than I'd prefer. We put-in just above the first bridge over the river; higher up was too shallow.
One river-wide log in the rapids just above the bridge, might be hard to see with more water. After the dam/slide at the lodge, there is a big log jam that was passable on the far right and far left, but it would be dicier with more water pushing at it. The 2nd dam is easily run on the left, right side is classic low-head dam.
A good III+ run at our flows, might push IV with higher water
The Dam mentioned by the 4 seasons is a pretty cool park and huck...it can be run lower than the rest of the run and consists of a 4 foot dam into a 15 foot slide. The slide has multiple channels so hike up and do it again...Also this run was too low for a fun run today and the level was 12.9ish, I would only hit this run up at high levels.
The upper section of the N. Fork had, when I was there, the biggest, most suddenly-appearing strainer/log jam that I've ever seen---very unsettling. Other than that, this is an excellent 3-4 run, with virtually non-stop action. Watch out for Rudolph Falls, behind the motel. Scout or carry.
As of Sept 2003, there was a nasty strainer on
river left about 2/3 of the way through the run
as you pass under a bridge. The strainer is
composed of some metal debris and logs that
are wedged between a couple boulders
effectively blocking safe passage through the
river right route. It is not immediately obvious
from upstream.