Bullpasture

2. Public Fishing Access (Rt. 678) to Cowpasture River(Bullpasture Gorge)

Reach banner
DifficultyIII+(IV)
Length3 mi
Avg Gradient45 fpm
GaugeBullpasture River at Williamsville, Va
Flow Rate as of 42 minutes
38 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedJuly 22, 2024

River Description

The gorge is a very fun section, good for intermediates or someone who just enjoys class III fun in a scenic gorge. The rapids become more difficult the further into the gorge you get so it gives those who are stepping up to class III runs a chance to warm up. It's a step down from the Goshen Pass section of the Maury (a nearby run) but it remains fun, fairly busy and runs pretty often.

Access:

Generally the access hasn't been a problem - the river is heavily used by trout fishermen who use all of the access points to wade up and down the river. It is however a good idea to always be careful and not to do anything that would anger any residents. I know that the Cowpasture has had its access problems north of the confluence with the Bullpasture, so like most any Virginia river be careful or risk access.

See Also:

Video of the Bullpasture Gorge, 1987

Classic Virginia Rivers, Ed Grove (1992 ed), p. 201.

Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 235.

Exploring Virginia's Waterways, Ed Gertler (2022 ed.), p. 168.


River Features

No Name

Distance: 0.01 mi
Rapid

Put In

Distance: 0.02 mi

The putin is located at public fishing access just off Rt. 678 northwest of Williamsville. Heading north on 678 from Williamsville look for Mill run (a small creek) to pass under the road after you leave the gorge. Just after the creek (within 50 yards or so) look to the right and the road to the fishing access should be seen (there's no sign as of this writing). If you get to where the river is road side you've gone too far.

S-Turn

Class: IIIDistance: 1.4 mi
Hazard
S-Turn

This rapid you start in the center moving right through a small hole, you then turn and cut back toward the left to avoid a rock that most of the current is taking you towards.

Double Ledge

Class: III+Distance: 2.01 mi
Hazard
Waterfall / Large Drop
Double Ledge

A 3 foot ledge leading into a 5 foot ledge. Both holes created by the ledges are pretty sticky and have been known the hand out quite the trashing to those unprepared.  The second ledge at high water can become a very serious hazard.  The traditional line is to punch the top hole at it's weakest point on the far left catch an eddy there and ferry above the second ledge out to the center of the drop and riding the tongue through the hole about 5 feet left of the rock in the center of the river (be careful of this rock as it is undercut).   There is an alternate channel on the right bank which is similar in fun and challenge but safer in my view.   The boulder separating the bank right channel from the rest also might be undercut.  In any case, scout for wood.

False Falls

Class: IIIDistance: 2.05 mi
Waterfall / Large Drop
False Falls

Known by many names (8 foot falls, Beaver Falls, etc) this is a 5 foot drop at the bottom of the pool below Double Ledge. The best place to run this drop is in the center of the river to the left of a truck sized rock. The rapids on either side of this drop are trashy but runnable at most levels.

Take-out - VA 614 bridge

Distance: 2.27 mi
Access Point

Most people take out upstream river right at the Rt. 614 bridge, there's a small parking lot there off Rt. 678 next to the bridge.

Junction with Cowpasture River

Distance: 2.97 mi
Other

It's possible to continue to the confluence with the Cowpasture. There's a swinging bridge here with a parking lot (go down Rt. 628 to get to the swinging bridge).


JA
Justin Abel

May 14, 2012


Heads up to anyone paddling this run in the 1200-1400 cfs range. The nature of the river changes drastically from S-Turns to Double ledge. The rock gardens in between the two become formidable rapids in their own right. I would consider this area one long continuous rapid with breaks here and there. Be ready for big holes/pour-overs and a serious workout. And make sure to scout Double ledge, that boy gets massive!

Be sure to check the level at the paddler's gauge on the Rt. 614 bridge in Williamsville. 2ft is the maximum recommended level on the guage. This coincides roughly with 1300cfs on AW.

JA
Justin Abel

Sep 6, 2011


Ran it this morning at around 800 cfs. It was a blast! No major hazards whatsoever. A few strainers partially blocking some rapids, but all easy to see and avoid.

JL
John Lakey

Apr 16, 2011


Ran at 630cfs on 3/12/2011

JL
John Lakey

Apr 16, 2011


Ran at 630cfs on 3/12/2011

JL
John Lakey

Apr 16, 2011


Ran at 630 cfs on 3/12 2011

JL
John Layman

Mar 29, 2009


i aint kiddin! i'm looking down and playin around in the eddy line on river left of the hole, any closer and it sucks you in!!! the hole is backed up by downstream ledges and its serious.
Note the strainer upstream of the first ledge on river left

now your bilingual too!

center line. easy to portage back up river left for lap 1,2,3,4,. ..

center line. you can easily portage back up river left for multiple runs.

Maggie grabbing the eddy in the middle of double ledge
The look from the bottom of S-turn
This run of the falls lead to a little bit of carnage (well some desperate bracing anyway!)

CF
Charles Finley

Mar 15, 2004


Danny S. coolly approaching the big drop.
Danny on the brink
Danny Shafer cruises thru the falls.