| Difficulty | IV-V+ |
| Length | 10 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 170 fpm |
| Gauge | N F South Branch Potomac River at Cabins, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 54 minutes | 46 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 13, 2011 |
For a video documenting most of the drops on the run, mostly from a Go Pro helmet-cam perspective, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWPpWalp6hA
Upper Seneca Creek is an extremely long and demanding run. The stream is very remote and its length along with the hike in make this a creek for only those in top shape. There are several tall ledges and falls, which make for an exciting time. The rapids, in general, are not as close together as most steep creeks. The big drops are broken up by long stretches of continuous, steep Class 3-4 rapids. Although not the toughest creek around, the drops are pretty big and there are numerous undercuts to watch for. Luckily, the trail parallels the creek most of the way, making scouting and portaging a lot easier.
Begin hiking down the Judy Springs Trail until the creek becomes big enough to paddle (usually after about a mile of hiking). Above Judy Springs, the creek flows swiftly over Class 1-2 rapids with strainers and beaver dams complicating the float. At Judy Springs, the gradient picks up and the creek starts dropping over ledges and slides. Soon, you will come to the first falls, a junky 10 foot double ledge runable in the middle. A half mile of small slides and ledges take you to another 10 foot falls called Coach's Corner runable on the right off a nice boof ramp. Soon, you will come to the big one, Upper Seneca Falls.
Upper Seneca Falls- This is one of the cleanest 30 foot waterfalls that you'll ever run. A series of small ledges carries one to the lip. Run left of center, down a 10 foot slope leading to a 20 foot free fall into a very deep pool. Oh yeah!
Standing Rock Falls- After a mile of smaller rapids and broken up by a 12 foot falls, you'll come to this monster. Standing Rock is a 20 foot double falls with some serious piton potential. It slopes down 12 feet before clapping on an ugly shelf and falling another 8 feet into a pool. I
...Mar 23, 2010
From a Boatertalk post today. http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1052157074/
still tons of wood on seneca. it was pretty clear through the big falls, then beginning maybe a quarter mile below, there was a lot of sketchy wood all the way to the end.
Oct 13, 2008
Robert Farmer---The last time that I did this, Knife Edge had changed dramatically, which was a huge surprise, because it had looked immutable. Plus, there were a lot of trees in it, so I portaged. I just wanted to let you know, that, yes, sometimes this little bedrock creek does move around a bit, so watch out!
Apr 15, 2007
As of this date the rapid is full of wood and would likely be unrunnable at most levels.