Gauley

Saturday of Gauley Fest weekend can get very busy so plan an early start if you want to avoid the crowds. We set a car at the Woods Ferry take-out first and passing by Mason Branch we learned from NPS personnel that the parking there was filled by 6am. We got to the put-in around 9:30am. NPS had traffic control in place and was only letting 10 cars in at a time with approximately 10 minutes between waves. It took us about an hour to get down to the dam, geared up, and on the water for a 10:30am launch. We mostly cruised down to Woods Ferry and with a couple swims we were there just before 2:00pm.

We were at the dam around 7:30am and set shuttle in time to get one of the last parking spots at the lower lot at Mason Branch. We were on the water at 9am and reached Mason Branch at 11am for a two hour run. We caught a couple surfs but mostly we were just cruising to get back and get set up for Gauley Fest.

We got out for an early morning run on Monday of Gauley season. We boated from the Tailwaters Access at Summersville Dam down to Mason Branch. We put in at 9:40 and were off the water by 11:40 for a two hour run. We were able to get a parking spot at Mason Branch down at river level when setting shuttle first thing in the morning but parking was full by the time we arrived.

Fun trip on the river.

At release levels there are a few small, catch on the fly surf holes in between Sweet's and Mason's branch.

Upper Gauley Trip from Summersville Dam down to Woods Ferry (the upper and the middle). We had some fun with enders in the long boats at Tumblehome. At the take-out we were thrwarted by a stuck bus that had traffic backed up for an extended period of time.

Curtis running Pillow in a driftboat

Dennis Huntley on the Upper Gauley at Pillow Rock in a Spark Open Canoe that he won at the Nantahala Open Canoe Nationals, courtesy of Esquif Canoes. Photo by the late Doug Worful.

The mist and Upper Gauley and open boating of Griff Gilbert as he prepares for the Grand Canyon.

the mail slot is free of the log/tree at tumblehome but is still not a great place to be

I found mlysef nodding my noggin all the way through.

Saw Shane Loveall die, third this year...please share this site and the risks of level fives with NO experience on smaller boats in particular. Upper Gauley should be the Climax of other prepatory trips. Risks known, go forth and kick that rivers ...but REALLY know the risk is VERY REAL.

Robert Farmer---I just want to add that I ran this at around 450 once, and
although it was mostly much easier, the third (4th?) drop of Lost Paddle
(just above Tumblehome) becomes terrifying. It was a total surprise for
me, since this drop is usually trivial. All of the water angles 45 degrees
to the right, directly into a horrifying undercut shelf that is submerged at
release levels; I had to ferry to river left intensely to avoid being swept into it. I hadn't even fully appreciated the situation even after scouting diligently. So watch out for that.

Ed Rader displaying his striding without the boat at Pillow rock

First time down and passed by pillow with plenty of room to spare thanks to my canadians friend in the backgound and my team rep, Frank Frank of Element Expeditions

The Pillow 'Big Splat': Not only is this Ben, Neil and Gary's first time for 'Big Water' and the first time in a small raft, but it is also their first time rafting at all. What a way to get introduced to the sport by doing the Gauley Marathon on the Gauley Fest Fall water release. Here they are getting introduced, up front and personal, with Pillow Rock via the 'Pillow Splat' line. Looks like a perfect line. Just missed catching Gary hugging Pillow Rock which probably saved the entire crew from going swimming and being flushed down the 'Toilet Bowl' below. Great job 'newbies'. Well almost - they did go team swimming later on at Iron Ring, and not by choice. All three are ready to go again and only in a small raft. Thanks guide Marty.

Out of 'The Room of Doom' and into the frying pan, I mean onto the Pillow and Pillow Rock. Due to extreme high siding they were able to exit 'The Room of Doom' without going swimming and get onto the the pillow at Pillow Rock. Now they need to get their act together to avoid Volkswagen Rock and the Toilet Bowl' right below them (which they did).

The Essence & Beauty of Fall Gauley Rafting:
Gauley Fall water release. Early dawn run, first on the river & in the fog, beating the crowd and mayhem of the Gauley Fest 2004 Saturday. Part of the Gauley Marathon run (27 miles with over 100 rapids) by 11 friends (Joe Snow, Jessica Snow, Dave Miller, Amy Williams, Gary Martin, Neil Martin, Ben Maxson, Doug Walters, Larry Habgood, Tom McCarthy and me, Kurt Williams) in three small 12 foot rafts with ClassVI guides (Marty, Mike, Bobbie Jo & Redneck - Thanks guys/gal). I may be called crazy Kurt, but not that crazy to go without a guide on our 1st Gauley run (or even future 2nd, 3rd, etc...). Dam release at 2800 cfs and Mason Branch adding approx 100 cfs. Fog didn't lift till well after 9am.

Here's a really good shot of the pin spot on RR at Initiation. The level was about 1400cfs.

Joe Snow (7th year - raft front right), David Brietling (2nd time - raft front left - partial view), Jim Hasselman (1st time - raft back left - buried in the rapids), his son JD (1st time - raft back fright - also buried in the radids) and guide Greg Gill (3rd year we have had Greg) running Sweet's Falls on September 17, 2010

A perfect line and perfect run. Outstanding!

'Sweet Over Sweet's Falls': Larry, Linda, Rob, Kurt and guide Corbin going over Sweet's Falls on the Upper Gauley in a T-4 raft on a 9-17-2010 Fall water release run. Thanks Corbin and nice work team.

Rob Habgood shows How 'Sweet's Falls' It Is. Rob (front right - can't miss him), sister Linda (front left), father Larry (back left) and friend Kurt (back right) are guided down Sweet's Falls on a perfect line by Corbin Tonelli in a small T-4 raft. Thanks Corbin.

No Postage Due - Ferrying Across Sweets Falls: After Corbin guided us on a sweet run over Sweet's Falls we (Larry, Linda, Rob, Kurt and Corbin) ferry across to river right. Thanks Corbin and nice work team.

'Sweet Over Sweet's Falls'. This is Joe's 2nd outstanding photo. Larry, Linda, Rob, Kurt and guide Corbin going over Sweet's Falls on the Upper Gauley in a T-4 raft on a 9-17-2010 Fall water release run. Thanks Corbin and nice work team.

In 2004 Joe Snow in another raft took an outstanding photo which I edited and title 'The Beauty and Essence of Fall Gauley Rafting'. It's taken to 2010, but Joe has taken a 2nd outstanding photo which I am able to edit and post here. Not bad for a one-time simple waterproof camera being used from a raft. Thanks Joe.

Linda Habgood (front left - 1st Upper Gauley run), brother Rob (front right - 3rd run), dad Larry (back left - 5 year running) and friend Kurt Williams (back right - highsiding - 7th year) are guided by Corbin Tonelli on a perfect line up to Pillow Rock in a small T-4 raft - the best way to raft the Gauley. A great approach and run up to Pillow Rock was followed by an equally good line through the Toilet Bowl below and by Volkswagon Rock. Great job team.

Another death on the gauley this year, this one was located @ pillow rock. Guide and 6 rafters had to swim. Man died of cardiac arrest after being pulled from the water.

Early morning trip on Gauley Festival Saturday.

The ANIMAL Upper Gauley Race #17 - September 21st

A downriver race on this legendary section of river. This race is now Sweet 17! Beginning near the base of Summersville Dam, the race ends nine miles downstream. Paddlers must negotiate the ‘Big Five’ on the Upper Gauley and the finish line is at a 12 foot drop called Sweet’s Falls. Over the years, this race has grown in notoriety and participation. The post-race awards party has become a popular event in itself. At the dinner, racers enjoy a buffet dinner, live music, prizes and a great party!

SO- C'mon paddle the Gauley like you mean it!

Classes: Wildwater, Wavehopper/Speeder, Slalom, Play Boat, Open Boat, Shredder, River Boards, Duckie, Stand Up paddlers & 6 Person Raft Teams!
Raft Teams please Pre-register.

For more information about registration or spectator access -
www.gauleyrace.com
Contact: Donnie Hudspeth, c/o Mountain Air Productions
Phone: 304.575.3294
e-mail: info@gauleyrace.com

Half Release

Half Release

the log at Tumblehome (last drop at Lost Paddle) was cut out of mail slot however the bottom part of the log still remains in the slot. Since there are other hazards at that particular slot- STAY AWAY. Cheers, Naira

A low water run down the Upper G. This was the lowest we had run it and it was a lot of fun. The flat water between rapids was a little tiring, but the rapids were still good to go. The highlights included Pillow, 3rd drop of Lost Paddle, and Sweets. Iron Ring was an amazing site, but none of us were up for rolling the dice.
What a different run this was from the release flows. Firstly, the water was released through the tubes at the damn. There were a lot of cool things to see such as the seive at Initiation, catching the eddy in the 'room of doom' at Pillow (the crack at the back of the room was stuffed with raft and kayak paddles), and the boulder maze that was the 3rd drop of Lost Paddle.

There is no gauge listed for the Upper Gauley when I search on rivers in WV.

I thought I would add a few quick notes about the big 5 at 1,200cfs out of Summersville Dam and another 400 coming in from the Meadow.

First, one theme follows the entire run...there is MUCH less push.

Insignificant - becomes much easier. It turns into two distinct drops. Both are easily boat scouted.

Pillow Rock - although the pushiness is far less, the line really tightens up. This one deserves a quick scout as there are a lot of rocks to blow you off line if you dont know where they are. Other than that, the line is pretty much the same as standard release....The Green Highway.

Lost Paddle - 1st and 2nd drop are much easier. 3rd drop was pretty much non-existant. 4th drop is the one to watch out for as it becomes very congested and much steeper in there. There is a sweet slide on the very river left side (where there is a great boof at standard release). It drops into a room and exits toward the center of the river. Tumblehome was very simple.

Iron Ring - GET OUT AND SCOUT! We were encouraged to walk it and once we looked at it for ourselves, we all decided to carry. I wont even go into the datails as there are just too many to discuss here. Just get out and look at it, then make your own decision.

Sweets Falls - gets much steeper and becomes vertical. There were class II+/III sneak lines to both river right and river left. The main line is to aim straight for Dildo Rock (which will have a huge fanning roostertail) with 2:00 angle. As you approach the wave directly in front of Dildo (it builds up againt Dildo), take a hard left stroke and shoot down the tongue. It's boney in there so keep your bow up. It wouldnt be a bad idea to get a look-see here too.

Last note: keep your eyes open on the entire run and you'll see why the Upper Gauley has the reputation that it does....undercuts, caves and sieves abound. There is basically no play at this level or lower, so I would suggest going in comfort...take your creeker. It would be much safer as well.

Have fun out there and be safe.

Mike is doing what long boats do well at this spot ... big enders & pirouettes.

On a gorgeous fall day I ran the Upper Gauley for my first time. My friends warned me to watch out for the series of small holes above Pillow rapid, warned me those holes could hold you, and flip you and that you wouldn't want that.....
Did I listen?
Did I F###.
The result?
This picture, yes that streak of red is the bow of my creeker being worked in the hole at the very top of the rapid, yes I got out of the hole and yes I got beat up several more times on my way down pillow but no I didn't swim.....

Low water Iron Ring danger
Gauley Sign photo

He was in the room for apx 10-12 minutes and his boat another 15 minutes before it was hooked up and pulled out. GREAT DAY!!!!

Second drop...
Don't be here...
trying to go deep...

For those that have never been here, I hope these photos may help you recognize where NOT to be when entering this drop. The 'death slot' is super easy to avoid.

This guy got thrown out of the raft right at the beginning of the rapid... what a ride that must have been!

Second Drop

Tapping the Rock.
Starting to topple.
And away we go...
Oh my!!!

The 30-45 second or so surf in the hole resulted in a swim but fortunatly there were No injuries and No loss of equipment.
Other than that the day went great.

What a great day on the River, I think pillow rock peaks out about this level.
(It's as big as it's going to get)

Of the four people in the boat, one had never rafted, and two had never seen the Gauley at release level. Leave it up to me to take the underwater ride! Here fishie,fishie!!

go extreme!!!
getting stamped at postage due!!!!
crashing through hawaii five'O

This is the last of the slot moves to be had on the Upper. It's not difficult, but it is always fun to explore.