Race Course + 3 Miles Above - 2007

Approximately 8 Miles

Class II-III (IV)

Avg Gradient: 30 fpm
Max Gradient: 30 fpm

Gauge:  Elk Below Webster Springs, WV
 

*Pictures & Video compliments of Patty Hachick
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3/30/2007
Level: 2:00 PM 6.04 ft, 1670 cfs
Craft: OC-1
 

The section from below Twin Bridges to Curtain Bridge (the beginning of the Race Course) was some fun class II water with good scenery.  Near the beginning of the run there was an island which the right channel was not completely visible.  Trees seem to be a problem here.  We had to take the left channel two years in a row.  The rest of this section had some nice wave-train rapids.  One that comes to memory was at a point where the river squeezed left and bended right.  There was a large gravel bar at the bottom left.  Here a nice wave-train feeds a big hole.  These first three miles were a good warm-up for the more difficult race course below Curtain Bridge. 

The Race Course starts just below the bridge and doesn't let up much until below the fourth ledge of "Cherry Falls".  Although, at this level there were some surprising rapids below this point.  At the start there was a challenging rock garden as the river headed right.  Action remained continuous as the course twisted and the best route had to be found over ledges.  A large ledge known as "Jared's Jump" had a very short pool below.  This allowed for a brief recovery.  Downstream was just as busy.   One significant rapid was  "Log Cabin" rapid.  This started as the river was choked left then proceeded right through big waves.  The hole at the bottom was impressive.  Eddies were sufficient for recovery however, heavy water continued on.  Next  was "PX" or "Parcoal Falls".  Look for a large horizon line with a retaining wall on the left.  This rapid was made up of huge broken ledges.  A slab of rock at bottom right created a dangerous slot.  You may want to scout this one from the right bank.  What I saw this day was an ugly hole at top right and another nasty hole at bottom right.  Needless to say all but one paddler ran a line down the left side.  The left line was negotiated by punching a hole at the top then dealing with a ledge and slide at the bottom.  This left us "Cherry Falls".  This is made up of four notable ledges.  Right of center for the first, left of center for the second.  The third by far was the most difficult.  It appears that the right side can be passed without problem but the hole that lurks below has deflated many egos.  Far left may provide an alternative.  The last ledge housed a rooster tail that split the hole.  If you make it O.K. this far the rest of the way to Baker's Island should be a breeze.
 

First rapid below Curtain Bridge

Below Log Cabin Rapid

Parcoal Falls (PX)

Cherry Falls

Cherry Falls Bridge

New play area left side of Baker's Island

 

Baker's Island to Sandy Beach on river right
(8 Road Miles)

Approximately 9-11 River Miles
due to a meandering course
(per M. Surbaugh)

Class II-III

Avg Gradient: 25 fpm
Max Gradient: 25 fpm

Gauge:  Elk Below Webster Springs, WV
 

3/31/2007
Level: 11:30 AM 5.60 ft, 1200 cfs
Craft: OC-1
 

We were able to put in right over the hill from the house we were staying at "The Maple Street Inn" in Door Town.  This cut out the flat-water lead-in putting you right above the first major rapid - "Sewer Plant."  The complete length of this run offers constant class II-III rapids that are virtually one after another.  All types of drops with different features were thrown at you: rock gardens, slides, wave-trains, holes, tight & creeky lines, and a couple near the end that approach a big water feel.  This was the second of three runs this weekend. 

 

Above Sandy Beach to "The Pines"

Approximately 5.5 Miles
(per M. Surbaugh)

Class II-III

Avg Gradient: 25 fpm
Max Gradient: 25 fpm

Gauge:  Elk Below Webster Springs, WV
 

*Video compliments of John Duke
 

4/1/2007
Level: 11:30 PM 5.28 ft, 915 cfs
Craft: OC-1
 

There were some longer pools than the Down Elk section however, this was still a fun paddle with great scenery.  At this level there were two class III rapids with heavy flow.  The first was marked by a canyon wall on the left as the river bended right.  There was a huge hole that was skirted by staying right.  The second occurred almost immediately after.  It was basically a straight shot through a beefy wave-train avoiding a big hole on the left and threading two smaller holes at the bottom. The rest of the run was good class II.  Some rapids were slides into holes.  Others were long and fun to maneuver through.

Race Course + 3 Miles Above - 2006

Approximately 8 Miles

Class II-III (IV)

Avg Gradient: 30 fpm
Max Gradient: 30 fpm

Gauge:  Elk Below Webster Springs, WV
 

3/31/2006
Level: 1:00 PM 5.45 ft, 1020 cfs
Craft: OC-1
 

Less volume above race course, possible strainers. Fun class 2 - Good level

 

Baker's Island to Sandy Beach on river right

Approximately 9-11 Miles
(per M. Surbaugh)

Class II-III

Avg Gradient: 25 fpm
Max Gradient: 25 fpm

Gauge:  Elk Below Webster Springs, WV
 

4/2/2006
Level: 12:00 PM 5.51 ft, 1070 cfs
Craft: OC-1
 

Sewage Plant rapid not far below Webster Springs was basically an S-turn through heavy water. Further down, There was a neat creek line on the right of an island. Also, a good play hole existed by Lunch Rock.  Watch for a big pour-over on river left below a rock garden. Two rapids above the sandy beach take-out took on bigger water characteristic. The last was negotiated by starting right then eddying left of center behind a rock midway down. The goal was to finish on the left side to avoid a big hole at the bottom. This was more challenging than anything on the rest of the run. I'm curious to see the rest of the 2nd leg.
 

 

Near the top of the run one of several ledges on this stretch

"Parcoal Falls" or "PX"	Dan in the big stuff at "Parcoal"