Potomac, North Fork of South Branch

I ran the cruiser course 3x times over easter weekend, 2023.  What is notable is the wood in the line on river left at 'the ledge.'  This is where people typically run. The water was low and although I got over it on the first run , I opted to run over the center of the ledge on the next two runs to avoid the wood.

Ingalls, you are probably right. Looking back at what I wrote, I actually now disagree with myself.

I will say that the ledge you hit shortly after Champe Rocks comes into view, at that water level, could be considered more than a typical III. I went far river left as you are supposed to and still think this. I was also basing my earlier comment on the fact that we chose to take a lot of the smaller, dodgier channels when the river split, in search of wilder features. On one that was maybe 1/3 the width of the main part of the river, there is a point where you have to do every move you know to avoid slamming into a rock wall--and even then you can expect to be deluged. Maybe you know it.

In any case, I am planning to do a lot more paddling in that area this year and it would be great to be able to consult somebody who knows specifics. I'm looking to do sections of the South Fork soon.

For folks looking to run this at higher water, I respectfully disagree with Cmd7172 that this has any class IV water. Having run this hundreds of times (I live in Seneca Rocks), this has a couple III sections at high water, but nothing even nearly approaching the III standard set by the lower yough at high water. At high water many of the more fun features wash out

I joined AW specifically to add info to this stretch of river. Ran it at 1080 cfs and I can confidently say at this level there are about a dozen class IV wave trains.

The ledge seen in many pictures tossed two paddlers in my group of three, and one was very experienced. Once you start seeing the rock formation behind you after a bend, be sure to go left on this upcoming ledge.

I'm not sure who posted that you should run this anywhere above 1100 or so. This run was the site of some pretty hardcore paddlers in the 70's so I wonder if the rapids and water levels were defined by those who didn't want to characterize a major tributary as too tricky.

I believe it's a class III at much lower water levels.

Pour-over: if you use the designated takeout, walk along the banks until you see the 5 ft pour over. To avoid this later, find the middle channel in the river (the pour over is in the rover left channel).

Lastly, I don't think the boulders in the other poster's pictures are along this run, but rather further downriver.

large rockslide near cabins 4 July 2016

Slide near cabins 2 taken on 4 July 2016

Was a cloudy day but the river was screamin'!

Class 2 to 2+ ledges with Champe Rocks in the background.
Class 2 to 2+ ledges with Champe Rocks in the background.

This section of river is a scenic run. Make sure you take the time to look ALL around. I would recommend putting in about 1/4 mile downstream at the footbridge that accesses the Seneca Rocks hiking trail(better parking). If you have the time, hike up to the observation deck of Seneca Rocks. For the more adventurous, carefully continue your hike onto the rock spires of Seneca Rocks. The view and the sensation of being there is amazing!
This is a view from the cliffs of Seneca Rocks looking back to the low water concrete bridge (center of the image). If you look carefully at the right side of the image you can see the confluence of NFSB Potomac and Seneca Creek. I prefer to put in at the parking lot downstream of this confluence. (the tree on the right obscures the view of this parking lot)
This is a view of Lower Seneca Creek Valley from Seneca Rocks. The North Fork of South Branch Potomac is at the bottom of the image.

There are 2 riverwide strainers in this section as of 2-29-04,both are easily portaged..looks like Tim Lewis has a summer job