Shenandoah

We ran bridge to bridge at 2.6. Tons of easy fun play waves down the left side of staircase.

Ron running chute 2 at Bull Falls

I would mention that 6.5 ft. and under is fine for novices, anything above swims become difficult at Bull Falls. I've seen a few of them swim 200yrds to LunchRock. Didn't look fun. 9ft. and up a spill at Bull Falls would require an even tougher swim and a tough boat recovery for novices. IMO>

Ran this section at 8.15 water level and it was a blast in inflatable Tomcats. The first and last rapids were approaching class IV at this level. No dangerous snags or strainers encountered on our trip.

Man everyone is staking a claim on something here. As a guide from the original outfitter no longer in business and having run this stretch in the thousands of times, it can be run at any level seen in the last 35 years by any boat. If you want to enjoy a scenic and historic stretch of river, go to it. Crowds on weekends from Mem Day to August will be very heavy. Go in fall or winter for solitude. Water from 4 feet up is entertaining and from 10 upward is sporty. This is a classic canoe river and still beautiful after all these years - don't trash it.

Play hole just after the 3rd channel at Bull Falls

2.3 ft.

3rd Channel at Bull Falls.

Low water, 2.3ft

High water on the Doah

Ran this route yesterday at 5.2 what a great run the staircase was a blast.

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I just started guiding on this river and I enjoy it, it definatly is not a hard river to run most of the time. Its a great river for a family with small kids to go on. When its at high water like around 10 feet or so its alot of fun. Could somebody tell me where dash hole is ive nvr heard of it. o and the rock to jump of is called beer can rock. the 4th chute of bull falls that is pictured with the strainer is called suicide chute. O and dont lump all of us together as aholes some of the guides are but most of them arnt. But this river is great for learning.

Don't fool yourself...this is not a pure whitewater run.....and as far as the guides that work this area they have always been a-holes since I was a little kid....everyone of them thinks they are some sort of pro...this river isn't even that difficult here...the only reson that buisness exsists is to cater to the rich a-holes that are moving west from Fairfax and destroying the area. Either way this is a fun run low or high......if it's low you grab a bunch of beer and sit in Bull Falls all day as it turns into a hot tub at low levels in the summer time.......if it's higher water than you might have some decent rapids.....also look for a jumping rock around the take out us locals call the 'Warshing Machine'. You'll recognize it as the spot where everyone is getting drunk, usually lotsa mullets, and probably a 18year old girl draggin her baby around and 8 months pregnant. Sucks cause the rednecks trash the place (beer cans and the like) but a fun spot to hang in the summer either way... just avoid the raft guides as those of us who grew up in the area don't care for thier pretentious attitudes. Believe me the rednecks are nicer!

Some fall off fast.

Henry running the not so typical side

Mike tries out his new...thing on the Staircase

you all have gotta be kiddin me. we run commercial trips down this until it is under 1ft. that's boats of 6 and a guide. you don't know what technical is. and as for the high end of running this river, it doesn't get class 4 characteristics until it hits double digits. its hardly worth gettin off the couch if you arn't gettin paid to do it unless it is above 5ft. --LP rules-- team HF

After running this at 1.8 I have mixed feelings about the minimum level. The section from Millville to the railroad bridge was painfully low. But the staircase has some ok play at these low levels. The hardest thing about the lower flow is avoiding the drunks in inner tubes. I believe the rapid called whitehorse, the last one above the river right takeout had the best play. I'm going to echo John Dukes comment that the minimum should be raised to two feet, with a note that it can be run lower by the truely desperate.

A kayaker plays in the runoff from the '4th drop' of Bull Falls. Note the strainer that's been pushed aside. This drop is very susceptible to strainers. The scouting rock for Bull Falls is behind the kayaker, and the classic '3rd drop' of Bull Falls just to the right of that.
The 2nd drop is clearly visible. The 1st drop is behind the island.

I honestly think the 1.5 minimum is to low.. bull falls is the only rapid with any fun at all!!!

The staircase can take 45 minutes to pick through at this level

Lets stick with wild water west va. minimum of 2.0 for a minimum

This 4th drop is narrow and prone to strainers, such as this dangerous one.

This map is designed for printing on 11x17 paper

This is a shot of the classic Bull Falls drop taken from the scouting rock with the roostertail clearly visible. The 1st and 2nd drops are visible in the background.

Photo courtesy of www.IPlayOutside.com.

Charlie Finley on the classic Bull Falls drop.

Staircase 'Entrance' on the Shenandoah Staircase

Bull Falls on the Shenandoah Staircase

'The Staircase' on the Shenandoah Staircase

This is the lowest passable level

Hesitation Ledge - Staircase

'Round the Mountain' on Shenandoah STaircase

Bulls Tail on the Shenandoah Staircase