Canoeing & Kayaking West Virginia

by Davidson, Paul; Eister, Ward; Davidson, Dirk; Walbridge, Charlie; Sharp, Turner; Miller, Bobby

• ISBN13: 9780897325455
• ISBN10: 0897325451
• Edition: 30th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: PUBLISHERS GROUP WEST

Summary

Though it sports a new name and look,A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to West Virginia(formerlyWildwater West Virginia)is still the definitive guide to whitewater in the Mountain State. Thirty years after the initial printing, this book continues to bring paddlers the best of West Virginia's waters: from classics rivers, such as the Gauley, the New, and the Tygart, to steep creeks like North Fork of Blackwater and Meadow River. At-a-glance information for each river section helps boaters pick rivers to match their ability and current weather conditions, while river descriptions, gauge and shuttle route information provide additional critical information. Whether boating in kayaks, canoes, or sit-on-tops, paddlers will find more than enough rivers to fit their interest or skill level. In addition, literary interludes scattered throughout each book will invoke the spirit of paddling, encouraging readers' contemplation of past and future trips. Appendices include websites, gauge information, and safety information, making this book a valuable resource in planning out the next trip. From meandering riffled streams to on-the-edge, in-your-face steep creeks, these guides contains the best each state has to offer.

Author Biography

Beginning his paddling career in the 60's while in college, Charlie Walbridge has made West Virginia his second home during the paddling season. The remaining months he can be found in Penllyn, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Map Index	x
Map Legend	xii
Disclaimer	xii
Preface	1	(1)
Introduction	2	(1)
Using this Guide	3	(2)
Rating River Difficulty	5	(2)
Using River Gauges	7	(3)
Weather Information	10	(1)
Finding Your Way in West Virginia	11	(1)
Map Resources	12	(1)
Interacting with Local Residents	13	(1)
Paddling Organizations	14	(318)
PART ONE
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES: THE POTOMAC DRAINAGE
North Branch of the Potomac River	22	(7)
Stony River	29	(3)
Abram Creek	32	(1)
Other Streams of the North Branch of the Potomac River	33	(22)
New Creek	33	(1)
Patterson Creek	34	(1)
North Fork of Patterson Creek	35	(1)
South Branch of the Potomac River	36	(7)
Moorefield River	43	(2)
North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River	45	(6)
Seneca Creek	51	(3)
White's Creek	54	(1)
Other Streams in the South Branch of the Potomac Basin	55	(1)
Lunice Creek	55	(1)
Thorn Creek	55	(1)
The Main Stem of the Potomac River	56	(4)
Lost River	57	(3)
Trout Run	60	(1)
Waites Run	60	(1)
Cacapon River	61	(3)
Shenandoah River	64	(4)
Other Streams in the Main Stem of the Potomac Basin	68	(81)
Little Cacapon River	68	(1)
Tearcoat Creek	68	(1)
North River	69	(1)
Sleepy Creek	69	(1)
Meadow Branch of Sleepy Creek	70	(1)
Back Creek	71	(1)
Opequon Creek	72	(3)
PART TWO
THE BIG MOUNTAIN RIVER-THE MIGHTY CHEAT
Dry Fork of the Cheat River	75	(6)
Black Fork of the Cheat River	81	(1)
Gandy Creek	82	(1)
Red Creek	82	(3)
Laurel Fork of the Cheat River	85	(2)
Glady Fork of Cheat River	87	(1)
Otter Creek	88	(3)
Red Run	91	(3)
Blackwater River	94	(8)
North Branch of the Blackwater River	102	(1)
North Fork of the Blackwater River	103	(2)
Little Blackwater River	105	(1)
Glade Run	106	(1)
Shavers Fork of the Cheat River	106	(8)
Cheat River	114	(11)
Horseshoe Run	125	(1)
Buffalo Creek	126	(1)
Saltlick Creek	126	(1)
Pringle Run	127	(1)
Dougherty Creek	128	(1)
Roaring Creek	129	(1)
Muddy Creek	129	(3)
Greens Run	132	(1)
The Big Sandy Creek of Preston County	133	(5)
Sovern Run	138	(1)
Little Sandy Creek	139	(2)
Laurel Creek	141	(1)
Beaver Creek	142	(1)
Fikes Creek	142	(2)
Bull Run	144	(5)
PART THREE
FASTEST WATER TO THE NORTH-THE TYGART SUB-BASIN
The Tygart Valley River	149	(14)
Middle Fork River	163	(3)
Buckhannon River	166	(3)
Other Tygart Tributaries	169	(4)
Roaring Creek	169	(1)
Laurel Creek	170	(1)
Teter Creek	170	(2)
Sandy Creek	172	(1)
The Forks of the Buckhannon River	173	(2)
Right Fork of the Buckhannon River	173	(1)
Left Fork of Right Fork of the Buckhannon River	174	(1)
Left Fork of Buckhannon River	174	(1)
Miscellaneous Monongahela Tributaries	175	(9)
Three Fork Creek	175	(3)
Whiteday Creek	178	(2)
Decker's Creek	180	(3)
Dunkard Creek	183	(1)
PART FOUR
THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT-THE OHIO BASIN
Little Kanawha River	184	(4)
Right Fork of the Little Kanawha River	188	(1)
Hughes River	189	(1)
Bonds Creek	189	(1)
Goose Creek	190	(2)
Mill Creek	192	(1)
Other Streams of the Northwest Quadrant	193	(5)
Wheeling and Little Wheeling Creeks	193	(1)
Middle Island Creek	193	(2)
Pocatalico River	195	(3)
PART FIVE
THE BEAUTIFUL VALLEY RIVER-THE GREENBRIER
Greenbrier	198	(10)
Greenbrier River Tributaries	208	(7)
Anthony Creek	208	(1)
Second Creek	209	(2)
Deer Creek	211	(1)
Knapp Creek	211	(1)
Muddy Creek	212	(3)
PART SIX
WILDEST WATER FROM THE CENTRAL HEARTLAND
Gauley River	215	(14)
Williams River	229	(1)
Cranberry River	230	(4)
North Fork of the Cherry River	234	(2)
South Fork of the Cherry River	236	(1)
Cherry River	237	(1)
Laurel Creek	238	(1)
Big Beaver Creek	239	(1)
Hominy Creek	239	(1)
Muddlety Creek	240	(1)
Meadow River	241	(4)
Elk River	245	(5)
Back Fork of the Elk River	250	(2)
Laurel Creek of the Elk River	252	(3)
Left Fork of the Holly River	255	(1)
Right Fork of the Holley	256	(1)
Birch River	257	(2)
Little Birch River	259	(3)
PART SEVEN
BIG WATER FROM THE SOUTH-THE NEW AND THE BLUESTONE
Bluestone River	262	(3)
Camp Creek	265	(1)
Brush Creek	266	(1)
New River	267	(11)
Glade Creek	278	(2)
Piney Creek	280	(3)
Glade Creek into Manns Creek	283	(2)
Manns Creek (Real Manns)	285	(2)
Keeney Creek	287	(11)
Mill Creek	298
Laurel Creek	290	(2)
Indian Creek	292	(1)
Lick Creek	292	(2)
PART EIGHT
TROUBLED WATERS DRAINING THE WEST
Tributaries of the Kanawha River	294	(4)
Loup Creek	295	(1)
Armstrong Creek	296	(1)
Paint Creek	297	(1)
Coal River	298	(2)
Marsh Fork	300	(4)
Sandlick Creek	304	(1)
Clear Fork of the Coal River	305	(1)
Little Coal River	305	(1)
Spruce Fork	306	(1)
Little Coal River from Madison to Coal River	307	(1)
Guyandotte River	307	(2)
Tributaries of the Guyandotte River	309	(1)
Pinnacle Creek	309	(1)
Clear Fork	309	(1)
Mud River	309	(1)
Miscellaneous Streams	310	(5)
Twelvepole Creek	310	(1)
West Fork of Twelvepole Creek	310	(1)
Tug River	310	(5)
PART NINE
AND A COUPLE FROM NEIGHBORING STATES
Youghiogheny River	315	(8)
Tributaries of the Youghiogheny	323	(9)
Drakes Creek	323	(1)
Meadow Creek	324	(1)
Bear Creek	325	(1)
Casselman River	326	(2)
Savage River	328	(2)
Crabtree Creek	330	(2)
Index	332