Laurel Creek (Cherry trib)

What a fun creek, continuous creeky action. We did the Laurel on 5/24/2020 at a low runnable level and found it to be a bit more challenging than described above, We took our time and eddy hopped all of the bigger drops, did need to get out of the boat to scout one rapid a bit further than halfway down. At that time there was no wood that required portaging.

Paddled twice in 2018. 250 cfs was on the low side, but cleanly runnable. 380 cfs was a great level. There is a tree in the right channel right after a modular home that is visible on river right. The left channel is clear. At 250 cfs, the entrance to the left channel requires pushing over rocks. No other wood in play.

This photo is an image capture from this video link below. I couldn't get the file to upload to AW.
The video gives a good idea of the character of the Boulder Pile rapids on Laurel Creek at 350 cfs. This is either Boulder Pile 2 or 3... not sure which.
Copy and paste for video...
https://picasaweb.google.com/103820628544095207551/20131207LaurelCreekWVCherryTributary#5958060208638910258

We were able to get on Laurel a 3 times in 2013.
200 cfs, on the Fenwick Gauge, was a little scrapy.
250 cfs was OK low runnable.
350 cfs was a great level.

Watch for wood. As of 12-7-13, all wood was avoidable.

Not sure which Boulder Pile rapid this is... maybe # 3.
Fun eddy hopping rapid.
More photos from this day can be found here: http://jeffmacklin.smugmug.com/Whitewater/2013/2013-12-07-Laurel-Creek-VW/35421333\_5nBgqP#!i=2972706178&k=R6pmrNX

Not sure which Boulder Pile rapid this is... maybe # 1.
At the ledge to Carolyn's right (above the rock on the left side of photo), there is a large rock in that foam pile. It could make a piton or pinning hazard. It was easy to see at 200cfs. This pic shows 350 cfs flow.
More photos from this day can be found here: http://jeffmacklin.smugmug.com/Whitewater/2013/2013-12-07-Laurel-Creek-VW/35421333\_5nBgqP#!i=2972706178&k=R6pmrNX

Ran this section yesterday after doing the Cherry River at 5 feet and rising (Fenwick). It was awesome and fast. I was expecting a class III+ run so was impressed by how steep and consistent the rapids were. There were pour overs and holes all over. We agreed it was more of a class IV+ for most of the rapids at this level.
Fanny Packer

Caught this 4/16/07 at a moderate level, I think (14+ and dropping at Craigsville). The descriptions of this that I've read really don't do it justice. This is a 5-star creek! It's certainly one of the best of its size in WV!! It's much better than the N. Cherry, nearby, so definitely catch this if you can! In fact, I would say that, if you have only one day to paddle in WV, and this is running, paddle it! As noted above, you can't see the best (or worst) rapids from the road, so don't get overconfident when you're driving up!! I felt that the crux rapid was not the Rockpiles, but a fast, sliding section that blindly lunged toward some good-sized boulders, 2.6 miles down from the put-in, where the creek turns sharply left-then-right, which I think is below the Rockpiles (?). Because of the blindness, I eddy-hopped down the right, after unfortunately catching a left eddy, which didn't help. I would say that this one and Rockpile #3 might be Class 5-, not for danger, but technicality. Rockpile #1 is best finished on the right; Rockpile #3 is best finished on the left, due to a blind pourover boulder on the right (or I guess you could boof right, but scout first). It's almost non-stop action! You'll probably welcome a break! Cherish the rest spots! Also, there is one 3-foot ledge farther upstream that took me by surprise (probably 'Big Ledge Rapid' in the photo section), when you can see the tops of the telephone poles near the road: I didn't expect it, and ran out of scouting room, so went down the middle, pitoned on some submerged rock, slid over, and barely made it slowly through the hydraulic. Going to left or right might have been better. This creek builds up slowly, gets cranking, lets off a bit, and then builds up again. I highly recommend it, especially for Class 4 boaters who are wondering if they're ready for Class 5. I measured a distance of 4.1 miles from the put-in to the takeout bridge. I wouldn't bother running down to the Cherry, as it looks scraggly and bony. Thanks to Cahil for the shuttle!

Kevin the 'Ham' enjoying a rapid on the Laurel Creek of the Cherry. Craigsville was at 14.5 feet (6900 cfs), Fenwick bridge was 3.0. Fun level.
Martin enjoys some boogie water between the bigger drops.
Karen paddles around a big ledge drop in the top third of the run. The main current takes you to the far river right for a twisty ride around the ledge.
When in doubt, follow the turtle. One of the hazards you have to deal with if you swim!

At medium flows, this creek reminds me of Smokey Mountain boatin on a class III-IV level. There are not a lot of big boulders. Very few, actually. This creek is made up primarily of small boulders just under the surface. It's pretty constant bee-bop with few pools. Although it only comes in at about 85 feet per mile, the gradient is pretty constant. Most everything is read-n-run on the fly, with the exception of the Rock Pile rapids...mainly Rock Pile 3. This one often has wood in it and should be scouted.

This is an excellent introduction to creekin run. It can easily be broken down into an eddy to eddy to eddy run. This also makes it a great 'tune-up' run early in the season after a long winter with little boating.

I have not been on it at a level where it goes to class V, but I would certainly like to get on it at some point in the not so far off future.

Ran this on 4/28 at 4.25' on the putin gauge and 4.0' at Fenwick.Craigsville 16-18' Cranberry 7.0 and Webstr Springs 8.5. This is way HIGH level!!

Ran it again on 4/29 2.75 at put in gauge. 2.1 at Fenwick 5.1 Cranberry 8.0 Webstr Spngs and 14.7 Craigsville. This was a class III- to class III+ level and a lot of fun!!

Brian on the Laurel

Deb on the Laurel