Rivers Galleries

Blackwater Through Canaan Wildlife Refuge, WV 7/2006 : The uppermost reaches of the Blackwater River drain the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which protects a tremendous upland bog system that is favored by migratory birds, beaver and a long list of unique plant life and animal habitat. In July 2006 we took advantage of heavy rains and paddled the North Branch of the Blackwater River and the Blackwater River in two separate outings that covered a large swath of this unique and beautiful watershed system. Future trips may take us to the Little Blackwater, Glade Run and the upstream sections of the Blackwater. Paddling on the North Branch of the Blackwater isn't your mother's canoeing. The stream is 4-10 ft. wide and overgrown with alder thickets in places. Although the channel is deep and there was plenty of water, pushing, pulling and squeezing through the brush was common. Canoewhacking™ is the term we gave the experience of fighting past alder, fences, beaver dams, old footbridges and downed trees. We can't wait to go back and do it again.

Blackwater Through Canaan Wildlife Refuge, WV 7/2006

The uppermost reaches of the Blackwater River drain the Canaan Valley ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2006 1:39pm PST

Blackwater River Canyon, WV 2006-2007 : The Blackwater River in Tucker Co., WVA is an amazing stream. It begins at the top of some of the highest peaks in the state, including Weiss Knob and other peaks that rim the Canaan Valley. The Canaan Valley itself is the largest upland valley in the East and is the home of the nation's 500th federal wildlife refuge. The Blackwater is also part of the largest undammed watershed system in the East. The Blackwater River drains the valley and is the backbone of a tremendous upland bog system. The water is tea colored from natural tannins. Near Davis, WV the placid meandering and boggy stream notches gently through one gorge before carving a second deep gorge that begins with 40 ft. Blackwater Falls. From Blackwater Falls, the river falls through a chaotic jumble of boulders and rapids more than a 1000 vertical feet before confluencing with the Dry Vork of the Cheat. There are no maintained trails in the canyon. We've been accessing it on bushwhack routes that follow small and steep tributaries into the canyon. These tributaries are destinations by themselves due to the numerous large waterfalls they form as they spill into the steep canyon. Once along the river, we boulder, crawl, wade and bushwhack our way up or down the stream - a method of travel we've dubbed Creekyoneering. We've explored downstream from Blackwater Falls and upstream from the confluence with Pendleton Run.

Blackwater River Canyon, WV 2006-2007

The Blackwater River in Tucker Co., WVA is an amazing stream. It begin ...

Updated: Nov 14, 2007 9:55pm PST

Lower Big Sandy, WV 5/2005 : The Lower Big Sandy is a special river in northern West Virginia. It is compact with several big, unique drops amid stunning mountain scenery. Pictured here is Wonder Falls. Many boaters consider the LBS among their favorite runs in the region. The level is 5.9 at Rockville.

Lower Big Sandy, WV 5/2005

The Lower Big Sandy is a special river in northern West Virginia. It i ...

Updated: Dec 13, 2005 8:20pm PST

Falls on Laurel Fork of the Cheat. WV : The Laurel Fork of the Cheat is one of four upper forks in the Cheat watershed. This stream is unusually remote with no modern trails or roads penetrating along it. The creek's gorge is an intimate experience with rhodedendron, laurel, hemlock and hardwoods lining the banks. Midway through is this 12 foot waterfall. The remainder of the run is Class II-III+. Pictures taken May, 2005 at 14 inches on the Rt. 55 bridge gauge.

Falls on Laurel Fork of the Cheat. WV

The Laurel Fork of the Cheat is one of four upper forks in the Cheat w ...

Updated: Nov 01, 2005 9:27pm PST

Swallow Falls on Top Yough, MD 5/2005 : Swallow Falls is the first rapid on a section of the Youghiogheny that starts at Swallow Falls State Park in western Maryland. The falls is an 18 foot slide that marks the beginning of a picturesque gorge full of wonderfully technical whitewater. Swallow Falls State Park contains the state's largest waterfall - Muddy Creek Falls - and an impressive stand of virgin hemlocks. The level was 1.7 @ Sang Run.

Swallow Falls on Top Yough, MD 5/2005

Swallow Falls is the first rapid on a section of the Youghiogheny that ...

Updated: Nov 02, 2005 4:26pm PST

Meadow Run, PA - Cascades 3/2005 : Meadow Run is a small tributary of the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle, PA. The creek has a long rapid called the Cascades - a 300 foot long low-angle slide that drops about 40 feet. The level is medium-low.

Meadow Run, PA - Cascades 3/2005

Meadow Run is a small tributary of the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle, ...

Updated: Nov 02, 2005 4:48pm PST

North Fork of the Blackwater, WV 2004-2005 : The North Fork of the Blackwater flows through Thomas, WVA in Tucker County and drops into a steep, inaccessible gorge before confluencing with the Blackwater River. This stunning creek contains numerous waterfalls that are seen by only a small number of expert boaters each year. The orange stains on the rocks is acid mine drainage from numerous shaft coal mines that once operated near Thomas. Work has been done to mitigate the pollution, but more needs to be done. The first waterfall - 40 foot Douglas Falls - is easily viewed at the head of the gorge. Seeing most of the remaining falls requires kayaking or difficult bushwhacking through thick rhodedendron hells or wading through the creek itself. Mark scrambled down the creek in August, 2005 to photograph the many waterfalls when the level was low. The known names of these falls - such as Gluteal Mash or Cow Pissing on a Flat Rock - reflect the intensity the creek provides for those that run it.

North Fork of the Blackwater, WV 2004-2005

The North Fork of the Blackwater flows through Thomas, WVA in Tucker C ...

Updated: Nov 08, 2005 1:04pm PST

Misc. Rivers 2004-2006 : We're always stopping off at rivers and creeks.

Misc. Rivers 2004-2006

We're always stopping off at rivers and creeks.

Updated: Dec 13, 2005 8:19pm PST

Smokehole and Hopeville Canyons, WV (4/2008) : Hopeville Canyon and Smokehole Canyon are two magnificent Appalachian gorges in the upper reaches of the Potomac River drainage. Both canyons feature the unusual sandstone rock formations that make the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia an unusually scenic place in the Mid-Atlantic. We joined a merry band of Whitegrassers for their annual trip through Smokehole and a sidetrip to Hopeville. Happy people. Beautiful scenery. Spring flowers. Learning how to forage for savory morels. Simply enjoying what this great planet has to offer right in our own back yard.

Smokehole and Hopeville Canyons, WV (4/2008)

Hopeville Canyon and Smokehole Canyon are two magnificent Appalachian ...

Updated: Apr 30, 2008 2:56pm PST