Saltlick Creek

This creek has obviously changed again a lot since Charlie Walbridge looked at it in 2005. We ran it in on the WV Week of Rivers in April 2011 and only had one real portage (a rather long one around several downed trees), plus three other spots where one needed care to avoid wood. The creek braided in a few spots, but not badly. It was an enjoyable trip, with lots of long class II and II+ rapids, perhaps one or two class III-, but nothing that was a solid class III. We put in alongside the road, paddled 4 miles, and took out just before the confluence, at the end of a dirt track used by off-road vehicles. The dam mentioned in the guidebook is gone. So you can put this back on your to-do list.

This run used to be a popular high water option for locals in the 70's. I can't recommends it now. The '85 flood really tore it apart. There are lots of downed tress, especially where the river flows through a maze of islands. In the spring of 2005 most rapids have wood in them. The last drop from the railroad yards to the Cheat is the only clean shot.