Downstream from the famed upper gauley, the river mellows ever so slightly so that the pace is just a bit slower. Nestled in craigsville, west virginia, gauley river elementary school is a rural, consolidated elementary school. Notice the usgs water resources mission areas priority is to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our communities, including providing critical situational awareness in times of flooding in all 50 u. The lower gauley is made up of long rapids with waves that are just as big as its upstream sister. It attracts boaters from all over the world who test themselves against the powerful and dangerous river. The section drops over 335 feet in less than miles, resulting in highvolume and technical whitewater from start to finish. While some rapids have names, these arent the only ones rafters encounter as they take on the gauley river during the special fall season. The gauley river in west virginia is recognized by paddlers as one of the topranked rivers in the world. Ace adventure resort gauley river pillow rock rapid youtube. Experience the gauley river from beginning to end by rafting 23 miles in 2 days without ever leaving the canyon. Whitewater rafting in west virginia river expeditions. As folks began to arrive at the tailwaters there were the usual smiles and hugs, its almost a reunion for the gauley race crew. All flips, swims, dumps, and other carnage is from the upper gauley river in west virginia. If youre up for the ultimate challengebut also want the ultimate in pampered relaxationyou can experience the thrill of the entire river, upper and lower gauley over the course of two days.
The complete gauley river is 26 miles and 100 rapids of intense whitewater rafting excitement. Classic fall gauley river overnight trip ace adventure. Here you can view videos, aerial photos, images and written descriptions for every major rapid on the upper gauley and lower gauley trips on the gauley river in west virginia. If you plan to go on the whitewater of the gauley river trips can be taken on. Read an open letter to gauley boaters from the rangers and staff of the gauley river national recreation area. For more information on the lower gauley, including gauges, maps, shuttle, and pictures, check out the aw streamkeeper river page. The river features numerous recreational whitewater areas, including those in. It merges with the new river to form the kanawha river, a tributary of the ohio river. Gauley river west virginia 2020 all you need to know.
Welcome to the gauley river rapids an online guide exploring all the rapids of the upper and lower gauley river. A river rapids ride or river rafting ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting. From that point downstream, the river is known as the kanawha river. Theres a lot of history in this area which has gauley river designated as a part of the national park service. Learn how gauley river rapids are named with class. This quintessential river is also the site of american whitewaters largest annual fundraiser called gauley fest. New vs gauley river white water rafting west virginia forum. Our river rafting adventures give the whole family a chance to enjoy the fun of a rafting trip, because we offer different levels of whitewater. We will come back when its warmer so we can take advantage of all that this area has to offer kayaking. In most of the shots the flows are at normal dam release, however on thursday the th the upper was 5700cfs at the. Gauley river whitewater rafting q tent q sleeping bag q sleeping pad q camp pillow q flashlightheadlamp q long pants q pair of shorts q long sleeve tshirt q short sleeve tshirt q other under garments q shoes and socks for camp q sweater andor jacket q swimsuit for hot tub q polypropylene pants or wetsuit q rain jacket and pants q river.
Upper gauley river whitewater rafting adventures on the gorge. I heard wv has some of the best white water rafting in the us. Todays fatality is the third death in less than a month on the gauley river. The gauley festival, a major fundraiser for american whitewater you are a member, right.
Heya, so canadian here want to do something thrilling since i got about 2. Pillow rock rapid on gauley river dramatic and deadly. The gauley river is one of the premier whitewater rivers in the country. Two distinct 12mile sections upper gauley and lower. The most important gage for determining how much water is coming into summersville lake is the usgs gage near craigsville, wv. Unwind by the fire and share stories of the days adventure that evening. Adventures on the gorge leading the world outdoors. Learn how gauley river rapids are named with class vi. With perfect weather in the forecast it would be a great day to be on the river. Whitewater gauley river national recreation area u. Gauley deaths are a chilling reminder of whitewater. Thus, aw rates the upper as ivv and the lower as iiiiv. Gauley guides jobeth stamm and dave bassage talk about why these two rapids are their favorites on the lower gauley river. With over 70 rapids up to class v and breathtaking scenery the entire way, the fall lower gauley is the best choice for an adventurous firsttimer or an experienced new river enthusiast who wants to go one step further.
Wild and wonderful gauley river national recreation area. The stretch of the gauley river popular with rafters is 25 miles long and is commonly broken down into two sections called the upper gauley and lower gauley. Its technical rapids, inaccessibility and scenic beauty contribute to its world class designation. At river expeditions, we offer a number of whitewater rafting trips and vacations, suitable for various ages and abilities, on the new river and the gauley river. Throughout the spring and summer, variable water levels make for an unpredictable whitewater adventure. An epic white water rafting trip on the upper gauley in west virginia. Sep 22, 2010 rafters at the gauleys pillow rock rapids. Rollercoaster haystacks rise and fall in great swells of excitementthe kind you wont find in a.
When booking my trip to west virginia, i had no idea what i was getting myself into. September 21, 2015 and another glorious day to be racing on the gauley. Like the new and bluestone rivers, the gauley has cut a gorge that supports diverse and abundant wildlife. The river rapids ride concept was proposed by bill crandall general manager of astroworld in houston and developed by intamin. Despite the flooding, the putins and takeouts at the tailwaters, masons branch, woods ferry, and upper swiss will all be open for gauley season. Extremes in topography, elevation, and microclimate have resulted in a great diversity of plant life. The gauley river is a 105milelong 169 km river in west virginia. Ap the fall rafting season on west virginias gauley river is getting set to start. The 105milelong gauley river rises in eastern west virginia wv in western pocahontas county and flows southwestward across webster county and nicholas county to its junction with the new river in fayette county at gauley bridge, west virginia, where the kanawha river begins. They dont call the upper gauley the beast of the east for nothing. Its vigorous rapids, scenic quality and inaccessibility combine to rank the gauley river number seven in the world.
Whitewater rafting in west virginia rafting packages. Please join our page to get the latest info and updates on our new wonderful school. Gauley river overnighter, the greatest trip in west virginia matador. The river features numerous recreational whitewater areas, including those in gauley river national recreation area downstream of the summersville dam. Usgs current conditions for usgs 03187000 gauley river at. It meanders southwesterly through webster county and turns to a more westerly direction through nicholas county and into fayette county, where it combines with the. Gauley river physical therapy 704 professional park dr ste. Aug 26, 2008 while some rapids have names, these arent the only ones rafters encounter as they take on the gauley river during the special fall season. Gauley river rapids a guide to whitewater rafting on the. Astroworld introduced the worlds first river rapids ride, thunder river, in 1980 and. This time, a kayaker drowned at the pillow rock rapid after overturning. We offer whitewater rafting adventures on the new and gauley rivers, with options ranging from mild to wild rafting trips that are suitable for travelers of. Dropping more than 668 feet through 28 miles of rugged terrain, the gauley rivers complex stretch of whitewater features more than 100 rapids with a steep gradient, technical runs, an incredible volume of water and huge waves.
While our traditional gauley river rafting trips are only available in the fall during recreational releases from summersville dam, the gauley river is here all year long, and this trip provides the opportunity to see its many different states. For a test of endurance and skill, both mental and physical, raft the gauley river marathon. The full experience of rafting through more than 60 intense rapids does not end when you reach the upper gauley takeout youll continue down river into. I love a good adventure, but after scouring through nailbiting youtube compilations of sixtyfoot falls from sheer rock. On the first weekend of release for 2012, more than 30 members and friends of west virginia wildwater association gathered to run the lower. Unwind by the fire and share stories of the days adventure. Classic fall gauley river overnight trip ace adventure resort. Its vigorous rapids, scenic quality and inaccessibility combine to make gauley river one of the premier whitewater runs in the world. Many rafters opt to run the upper and lower gauley on successive days. The upper gauley river is the epitome of whitewater excitement.
Downstream, nearly every boat launch and takeout was damaged to some degree. The gauley river rises on gauley mountain in western pocahontas county in west virginia, and drops nearly 4,000 feet along the 104mile journey to its juncture with the new river. White water rafting the upper gauley wv gopro youtube. Dropping more than 650 feet in 25 miles, the gauley river features over 100 rapids. Visit us at to experience the gauley river yourself. The gauley river merges with the new river in the town of gauley bridge, wv. With over 70 rapids up to class v including three of the biggest hits on the entire gauley river and breathtaking scenery the entire way, the fall lower gauley is the best choice for an adventurous firsttimer or an experienced new river enthusiast who wants to go a.
It meanders southwesterly through webster county and turns to a more westerly direction through nicholas county and into fayette county, where it combines with the new to form the kanawha river at. With one of the largest watersheds in the country, this river begins in north carolina, flows through virginia, and heads toward to the steepest section of the new river gorge, wv just before it joins the gauley river downstream. Army corps of engineers huntington district and state of west virginia. The water is released immediately upstream of the putin for the upper gauley. Rafting the gauley river in west virginia a mountain. All major league soccer trademarks and s used by permission. Consistently rated one of the top five rivers to raft in the world, and one of the top three in the united states, this is the beast of the east.
Army corps of engineers huntington district, state of west virginia, and west virginia department of natural resources. Class ivv all footage taken from september 16 2018. Rivermen is proud to be part of adventures on the gorge, americas premier adventure vacation resort offering whitewater rafting on west virginias new river gorge and gauley river, canopy tours and zip lines, weddings, cabins, camping, fine and casual dining and vacation packages. Every fall, the army corps of engineers releases floodlevel water into the gauley on a predeterminedschedule. The 25 miles of freeflowing gauley river and the six miles of the meadow river pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. According to the national park service, which maintains the gauley river national recreation area, the river drops more than 668 feet through 28 miles of rugged terrain and features more than 100 rapids. The new river established itself as a whitewater classic long ago.
Located on the rim of the new river gorge, west virginias premier whitewater rafting resort. Wild and wonderful gauley river national recreation area u. The river boasts big, forgiving class v rapids set in an old, lush river gorge. Available data for this site click to hide stationspecific text station operated in cooperation with the u. I dont know about the veracity of the story about insignificant. The upper gauley is home to six class v rapids and thirteen class iv rapids. The experts customize adventures, dispensing guides and gear for exhibitions, such as kayaking and highspeed whitewater rafting. Two whitewater rafters have drowned in the past few days on west virginias gauley river. But that doesnt mean you cant raft the gauley river right now. Gauley rafting season water releases set in west virginia west. West virginia rafting big adventure whitewater rafting, big fun upper gauley river, west virginia adventures, west virginia whitewater rafting upper gauley river.
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