Laurel Creek (Cherry trib)

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!