Dry Fork of the Cheat
2008
From above where Rte 72
heads up the mountain to about
1 mile above the gauge station at Hendricks
Approximately 7 Miles
Class III-IV
Avg Gradient: 25 fpm
Gauge: Dry Fork at
Hendricks, WV
*Pictures
& Video compliments of Patty Hachick
Click
pictures to enlarge
**Must have
QuickTime Player to view videos**
(get QuickTime
Player)
5/24/2008
Level: 12:00 PM -
3.23 ft,
1040 cfs
Craft: OC-1
Pictures and video of Bruce and friends having fun tearing it up on the Dry Fork.
Bruce
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Jim & Margie Pruitt
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Rich
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Sylvia Durant & Lisa Carlisle
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Jim Norton
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Video of Jim Norton surfing "The Ledges"
J Robbins
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Video of J Robbins surfing "The Ledges"
2007
From above where Rte 72 heads up the mountain to the gauge station at Hendricks
Approximately 8 Miles
Class III-IV
Avg Gradient: 25 fpm
Gauge: Dry Fork at
Hendricks, WV
*Pictures
compliments of Patty Hachick
Click
pictures to enlarge
5/19/2007
Level: 4:00 PM 4.04 ft,
2230 cfs
Craft: ThrillSeeker
Since we had already run the class IV bottom section during our Lower Otter Creek run earlier in the day, we took out directly above the swinging bridge. This shortened the run by approximately 2 miles and reduced its rating to just class III.
Above the hanging bridge
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Dave |
Bruce | Bob & John |
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Bruce on |
2006
From above where Rte 72 heads up the mountain to the gauge station at Hendricks
Approximately 8 Miles
Class III-IV
Avg Gradient: 25 fpm
Gauge: Dry Fork at
Hendricks, WV
*Pictures
& Video
compliments of Patty Hachick
Click
pictures to enlarge
**Must have
QuickTime Player to view videos**
(get QuickTime
Player)
12/22/2006
Level: 2.99 ft, 754
cfs
Absolute minimum level
Craft:
OC-1
The put-in
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Bruce at the put-in |
Some typical Dry Fork rapids
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The Dry Fork hydraulics
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Hydraulic #1 |
Hydraulic #1 | Hydraulic #2 | Hydraulic #2 | Hydraulic #2 | Hydraulic #3 |
Above the hanging bridge
| Click hyperlink to view video |
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Otter Creek
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4/9/2006
Level: 3.92 ft, 2030
cfs
Craft:
ThrillSeeker
Beefy level. Above the hanging bridge, miss the hole on right. The 1st hydraulic is punchable but the hole below - MONSTROUS. 1st big rapid should be entered along the left bank. Watch for holes. The biggest rapid has several big holes. Go right of the rock near the bottom - Definite class 4 at this level.
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Send mail to
riverrat1969@comcast.net with questions or comments about this website. |
Put-in:
Approximately 8 miles above Hendricks
Take Rt. 72. It will begin to leave the river. Stay along the stream on CR 26. After about
2 miles the road will turn left. There is a small tributary here. A gravel road continues.
Just beyond, the area is posted no trespassing
Take-out:
At the gauging station in Hendricks
This is a right turnoff from Rt. 72 where the road bends left and heads uphill.
Class 3(4)
Gauge: Dry Fork @ Hendricks
Level:
3.36ft. 1100cfs (6-15-03) Good
3.3ft. 1000cfs (9-6-03) Starting to get low but OK
The fun starts right away with a ledge that forms a hole below. There is a tongue near the center. This can be scouted from the road. Continue on downstream for more drop-pool action consisting of rock gardens that create some nice waves. Enjoy the near wilderness experience along the way. The water is clean and just about all signs of civilization are hidden. Surfing opportunities are plentiful.
Soon, the rapids increase in difficulty. I recall having to ferry from left to right to avoid boulders laying in the riverbed. Also, sliding ledges that form hydraulics will be encountered. One of these is marked by a hanging bridge. Here you will have to stay left to avoid some heavy water then work hard right to avoid a good sized drop. Below this bridge, the rest of the run may deserve a Class 4 rating in high water.
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After picking up a couple of tributaries known as Red Run (a tea colored native trout stream on river right) and Otter Creek (river left) things become interesting. Left to negotiate are two long, technical rapids. The second is the most difficult challenge on this run. Start right, work left amidst boulders through a shallow rock area. It may be wise to catch an eddy after this. Then stay left. Proceed through a series of small drops and be sure to avoid the rock at the bottom of the rapid.
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I had
a little disagreement |
The
second trip down
was a success
I'm sitting in the boat
behind the rock
taking photos
Beyond this point, the river widens out and easy class 2 water remains until the take-out.
