Labor Day Weekend in West Virginia

CCC will once again be heading back to West Virginia for the Labor Day Weekend Club trip and meeting. The dates for this years club organized event are August 30 – September 1 and will be held in the New River Gorge area (http://www.nps.gov/neri/home.htm) in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia (). Those members who attended last year’s event and were treated to opportunities to paddle the Middle Gauley, Upper Gauley, New River Gorge and some upper sections of the New River. The New River begins in the mountains of western North Carolina, flows northward through Virginia and into West Virginia. Once in West Virginia it continues its northward trek through deep canyons where it joins the Gauley River and forms the Kanawha River. The name, “New River”, is actually a misnomer as this is one of the oldest rivers in the world. In 1978, the New River Gorge National River was established. As part of the National Park System, 53 miles of the New River are protected as a free-flowing waterway. The Gorge area of the New River offers boating opportunities for all skill levels from beginner/novice to the advanced paddlers. New River paddling options include: Glade Creek to Quinnimont (Grandview Sandbar) - B/N, class 2/3-, 5 miles McCreery to Thurmond (also known as Prince to Thurmond) - B/N, class 2/3, 15 miles Thurmond to Cunard - N/N+, class 2-3, about 5 miles Cunard to Fayette Station - I+, class 3-4, about 8 miles Other paddling options: If the Corps is releasing 600-1000 cfs from Summersville Dam the Middle Gauley from the Upper Gauley takeout to the Lower Gauley putin is a nice I/I+ run. It's about 6 miles with 2 major rapids (Woods Ferry and Backender) that give it the 3+/4- rating. Both of these rapids can be portaged if necessary. The rest of the run is class 2+/3. The Upper Gauley can be run as low as 900 cfs If there is enough rain (a big if for that time of year), other options include: Middle Meadow - I/I+, class 3/3+, class 5+ takeout Cherry - N/I, class 2/3, 9 miles (with intermediate launch/takeout spots) South Fork of the Cherry, N/N+, class 2/3, 6 miles Lower Cranberry, N+, class 2/3, 7 miles Top Gauley (above Summersville Lake), N/N+, class 2-3, 5 miles Upper Meadow (I+-A ) Upper Cranberry (I+- A) For non-paddling family members or for those not wishing to paddle every day. The Gorge Area offers a wide variety of non-paddling activities. There are a variety of hiking and biking trails (rails to trails bike trail), rock climbing, fishing, and sightseeing. The club will be staying at Ray’s Campground in Hico, WV, about 15 miles from Fayetteville and located between the New and Gauley River. Ray’s offers shaded and semi-shaded sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and clean, level clearings in private and group settings. Most tent sites are near the pavilion and shower house. Ray’s also offers a buffet country breakfast for a nominal cost, so please let your camp host know when you check in if you’ll be wanting breakfast. Tent sites are $8 per person per night. RV sites and Tent rentals are also available upon request. Please see the website at for details. To get to Ray’s Campground For those east of Winston-Salem: Take I-40 West to Winston-Salem. In Winston-Salem, take I-40 Business to 52 North. Take 52 North (take the “Future 74” bypass around Mt. Airy) to I-77 North. For those west of Winston-Salem and from I-77 North: Take I-77 North through Virginia and into West Virginia. Once in WV: Take U.S. 19 North, proceeding 23 miles through Fayetteville to U.S. 60 at Hico. Turn right onto U.S. 60 west, then right onto Sunday Road. The campground is one mile out Sunday Road on the left. Ray's Campground Hico, West Virginia 25854 304-658-4386 www.rayscampground.com Click here for a Google map Like the other major club events we’ll meet each morning at 8:30 at the pavilion behind the main camp office. At which time we’ll need volunteers to step forward and coordinate trips. We’ll do this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Shuttles in the Gorge area are long, so be prepared and organized before the morning meeting. The club meeting will be held on Saturday, August 30th at 9pm near the club banner or at a spot designated at the morning meeting. Don’t forget to stop at Tamarack either on the way up or on the way back. It’s a great little break from a long ride. Tamarack is a one-stop shop showcasing handmade crafts, art, and cuisine from West Virginia. See you all Labor Day weekend in West Virginia! Allen Gaither ©Carolina Canoe Club