Red Run
Ford along FS 13 road to confluence of Dry Fork
| Difficulty | V+ |
| Length | 4.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 300 fpm |
| Gauge | Dry Fork at Hendricks, Wv |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 178 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 17, 2002 |
River Description
Red Run is the toughest regularly run creek in the Canaan Valley area. The creek is very small and steep with only tiny eddies to rest in. There are several nasty sieves and undercuts mixed in with continuous steep drops, making this a very difficult run. Trees are also a constant problem on this run. The gnarly drops start early in the run and continue all the way till the end. Make sure you bring your 'A' game when you venture down into this canyon.
The first 3/4 mile of the creek is made up of continuous small rapids. Soon, the riverbed will steepen and start heading down some slides. After a particularly long and fairly steep slide, you know you are into the good section.
Goliath- This 3 part rapid is right below the long slide. It starts with a 10 foot falls onto a twisty slide that banks off a nasty boulder before making a sharp right turn off a 5 foot ledge. The second part is a tight boulder drop leading into a very narrow slot/pillow followed by an 8 foot ledge. The third part is a steep series of ledges run down the left.
Not far below Goliath, there is an 8 foot sloping ledge into an undercut. Make sure you drive left. The creek continues down tons of steep boulder drops for the next mile or so until you reach Red Run Falls.
Red Run Falls- This is a slide into a 20+ foot falls onto rocks. It has been run intentionally on the left but is definitely not recommended. Portage on the right.
Below the falls, paddle left under an overhanging cliff. You'll go back into a cave and it will be very dark. There is a Class 2 rapid in the cave that brings you out under a trickling waterfall.
The next section is perhaps the toughest on the run. The boulder drops get very steep and the moves get pretty challenging. Several 8 foot ledges with sketchy landing zones are faced before the creek splits on an island.
S**t Your Pants- When you see the island split, get out and scout. The right side of the island starts with a 5 fo
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportDirections: When going out 32 the 'Pub Road 13' is near 'Canaan Heights' and is called Canaan Loop Road and there is a sign on 32. Drive till you see a big sign that says Red Run fishing area. This is the start of Red Run but keep driving another mile or two till you come to a Ford that you could drive across Red Run this is the put-in. Keep in mind there is a gate on Pub Road 13 and it is closed in the winter!
Chris Heim and I ran this on 5/15 and it took us 6 hours.
There are lots of trees. Had to portage three times before the Falls and many more after. This does not count the times we were able to get out and move the wood to run the rapids also I think my neck is sore from all the tree ducking. All the big drops were clean and good to go.
Its a classic!
Two groups ran the creek this past weekend. All the main drops are currently good to go (and super fun). THANK YOU to the very kind soul who has been cutting wood in there!!! Keep in mind that the creek still has lots of unstable wood near water level and every high water episode moves them around. All of us who love this run should be helping to keep it clear.
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Update 6/11/11
Ran approximately the first half at a fairly low flow (1.6-1.5). Wood in a few spots, leading to 2 portages. Right above Pumpkin Spitter, and one earlier above that.
Todd Richendollar and Jay Moffat ran it sometime this spring, and both of them said they wouldn't go back unless they knew someone had been in there to clean it out. Wood has always been an issue in Red Run, but apparently it's worse now than it has been in a while.
I ran Red Run on April 8 at a good level. The gauge at the ford read 1.7 on the downside of the gauge and 2.0 on the upside (the water flowing around the gauge drops). This was a great level for the run.
There were a lot of trees in the run but that seems to be par for the course on this creek. We were able to run every major rapid though.
Bobby