Lower (Class III-IV) and Upper (Class IV-V) Gauley – First Release
Each fall, when the US Army Corps of Engineers starts releasing water through Summersville Dam into the Gauley River (to bring man-made Summersville Lake to winter levels), West Virginia becomes America's undisputed whitewater paddling destination. "Gauley Season" begins the Friday after Labor Day and continues for six weekends (five 4-day weekends, and one 2-day weekend). Dropping more than 668 feet through 25 miles of rugged terrain, the Gauley River's complex stretch of whitewater features more than 100 rapids with a steep gradient, technical runs, an incredible volume of water and huge waves. Its vigorous rapids, scenic quality and inaccessibility combine to make Gauley River one of the premier whitewater runs in the world.
The HCKC whitewater group will kick off Gauley Season the weekend of the first release. We will camp together but will divide into separate groups to run the Lower (Class III-IV) and Upper (Class IV-V) sections of the Gauley River both Saturday and Sunday.
As described by American Whitewater (AW), the 14-mile Lower Gauley run is "big water" and "tons of fun." Sometimes overshadowed by the Upper, but certainly not to be overlooked, the Lower Gauley provides a real challenge for intermediate whitewater paddlers and remains a favorite of many seasoned boaters.
The Upper Gauley (Summersville Dam to Wood's Ferry) is a 12-mile expert run with world-famous rapids that, AW cautions, "are big, steep, demanding, and can have a serious bite for the paddler in the wrong place." Bomb-proof bracing and rolling on both sides, along with big water skills and precise maneuvering, are required to have reasonable assurance of a safe and an enjoyable run on the Upper Gauley.
For the hardiest boaters who are already familiar with the Upper (no time for scouting), a 26-mile "Gauley Marathon" (Upper & Lower) is also an option.
Our first choice for camping is Battle Run campground, 2981 Summersville Lake Rd., off Rt. 129 just west of the Summersville Dam. (They don't take reservations after Labor Day; sites are available to "walk-ins" on a first come, first served basis.) This large waterfront campground offers 110 drive-up campsites with electric hookups ($30/site/night), along with seven primitive walk-to tent sites ($20/site/night). A discounted rate is available to National Parks Senior Pass holders. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities. In the unlikely event that Battle Run is full, we'll head for nearby Mountain Lake campground (1898 Summersville Airport Rd., off US-19 in Summersville).
Trip Sponsors: Jordan Ross and Sharon Schierling
