Wet summer means plenty of water for gauley river rafting. Each fall, more than 60,000 rafting enthusiasts from around the world come to the gauley for fullday and multiday trips on the gauley river, which features more than 100 named rapids on its. For 23 days during the fall, the gauley river welcomes visitors from near and far to tackle some of the best whitewater rafting in the world, tourism officials point out. The first commercial rafting trip began in 1968 and grew into dozens of outfitters over the next decade, making whitewater rafting a major economic contributor in the area. Have been involved in several rescues over the years, some survived, some did not. It merges with the new river to form the kanawha river, a tributary of the ohio river. Rafting the gauley river in west virginia is possibly the most iconic river trip east of the mississippi river. This beloved season was recently designated the official fifth season in west virginia and people from around the country look forward to it each year. Three of the most famous are the sieve on river right at initiation, shipwreck rock, and. Gauley season kicksoff to celebrate 50 years of white. The upper g packs quite a punch in terms of technique and steely nerves needed, and this river section must not be underestimated.
Gauley river rafting ace adventure resort whitewater. Gauley season, taking place in september and october, draws whitewater enthusiasts from across the globe. Fall gauley river overnight trips ace adventure resort. Whitewater rafting in west virginia rafting packages. More folks embrace rafting in 2015 season than in years. Upper gauley wildside 4 people per boat, smaller raft. Every fall, the summersville dam is opened for about six weekends to allow for great whitewater on the gauley river below. If you need to change a reservation for this year before dec. Rafting the gauley river 1 minute read the raft steadies for what seems like a nanosecond before the crest of a wave hooks the thick rubber inflatable and propels it.
American whitewaters gauleyfest, is held on the third weekend of the month of september, is the worlds largest whitewater festival hazards. Whitewater rafting in west virginia river expeditions. All flips, swims, dumps, and other carnage is from the upper gauley river in west virginia. Whitewater gauley river national recreation area u. A university of illinois student died in a whitewater rafting accident on the upper gauley river on sunday, a rafting company official said. Gauley season lasts only 6 weeks each year, 22 days in all, consisting of 5 weeks of 4 day release and then a saturday, sunday release to finish. Passing through canyon doors is worth the price of admission. Sep 26, 2016 rafted the upper and lower gauley 24 miles with ace. As folks began to arrive at the tailwaters there were the usual smiles and hugs, its almost a reunion for the gauley race crew.
From the kennebec and dead rivers in maine to the arkansas river in colorado to the banks of the kern and the american rivers in california, people are singing gauley praises and spreading the lore of gauley seasons past. Water temperatures rise for rafters throughout gauley season fayetteville, w. With one of the largest watersheds in the country, this river begins in north carolina, flows through virginia, and heads toward to the steepest section of the new river gorge, wv just before it joins the gauley river downstream. Over the course of six weeks, water levels ideal for rafting are released. Thus we looked on the internet and found a trip with ace to go rafting on class 4 and 5s on the gauley river. Gauley season begins the first weekend after labor day, and continues for six weekends five 4day weekends, and one 2day weekend. Find your park in southern west virginia ace adventure resort. If you need to change a reservation for this year, for any reason related to coronavirus or covid19, ace will reschedule or provide you with a raincheck for no additional cost, before december 31st, 2020. For six weekends beginning the weekend after labor day the army corps of engineers provides a series of twenty. Licensed to youtube by ingrooves, merlin inertiaptyltd, sme, umg on behalf of foreign family collective. For many, its a reunion they look forward to year after year. With perfect weather in the forecast it would be a great day to be on the river.
Every fall, the six weekends of gauley season provide the biggest whitewater party of the year. The lower gauley is filled with moderate rapids, big rollercoaster type waves, and some of the best scenery on the entire river. Gauley season, uci mountain bike world cup finals begin today. Experience legendary gauley river rafting in west virginia on the challenging upper gauley or the scenic and beginnerfriendly lower gauley. Gauley river whitewater rafting trips cantrell ultimate. The fall gauley white water season is the very definition of white water. While the lower section offers 8 miles of classiv and classiii whitewater rapids, the upper section is more familyfriendly with mild current and classii rapids. American whitewaters galley fest has become an annual end of rafting season trip for the guides, friends and family of mountain whitewater.
The season continues with six weeks of three and fourday releases, closing with a twoday release which starts on bridge day, oct. During the peak of gauley season be prepared to walk down the road or use the shuttle service as parking fills up. Summer water flows on the gauley river allow another dimension in rafting and a very different perspective of this wild river. The gauley river was the chosen site for the world whitewater rafting championships in 2001.
But its gauley season september and october that sets the area apart, with good reason. Sep 14, 2017 for guides who spend the summer season guiding on the gauleys neighboring new river, fall brings just as much excitement. For guides who spend the summer season guiding on the gauley s neighboring new river, fall brings just as much excitement. Dropping more than 650 feet in 25 miles, the gauley river features over 100 rapids. We had heard from guides in colorado that they went to west virginia to raft. In the spring, the gauley sometimes runs at water levels that are much higher than during fall releases. Over a 12mile stretch, the gauley river drops more than 330 feet, blasting through five sets of class. If you see battle run campground, youve gone too far.
The upper gauley is home to six class v rapids and thirteen class iv rapids. We will pick the boats and river section most appropiate for the water level. Gauley deaths are a chilling reminder of whitewater raftings. From beautiful mountains to some of the most challenging west virginia whitewater rafting, gauley river rapids are a force to be reckoned with and a badge of honor you will never forget. Army corps of engineers scheduled water releases from the summersville dam into the upper gauley river will start on sept. Gauley deaths are a chilling reminder of whitewater.
All you need to do is come with an openmind, a sense of adventure and the desire to try something so intense, you might be forever changed by the experience. Army corps of engineers keeps the water artificially high to allow more whitewater rafting. Rivermen is proud to be part of adventures on the gorge, americas premier adventure vacation resort offering whitewater rafting on west virginias new river gorge and gauley river, canopy tours and zip lines, weddings, cabins, camping, fine and casual dining and vacation packages. There are experienced guides and inexperienced guides. Riding the fast flowing waters of rivers around the world, one can enjoy gorgeous wildlife and natural environments while getting an incredible exercise. Gauley season is like raft guide christmas, said tony morris, a guide at new and gauley river adventures who fell in love with the raft guiding culture when he first visited fayetteville and rafted the gauley river. For six weekends following labor day, the rapids are supplemented by controlled dam releases, creating whitewater ranging from class iv. The upper gauley is the cream of the whitewater crop and rafting aficionados travel from all over this time of year to enjoy her. Located on the rim of the new river gorge, west virginias premier whitewater rafting resort.
Numbers for people making time to go rafting on the gauley and new river were up in 2015. When this happens, we typically run gauley river rafting trips on the middle and lower sections of the river. The biggest water comes during fall gauley season with guaranteed dam released river levels from september until the middle of october each year. The lochsa has more rapids than the selway, bigger rapids than the middle fork of the salmon and simply put, ranks as one of.
The gauley river is a 105milelong 169 km river in west virginia. Roger wilson, chief executive officer at adventures on the gorge, calls it plain fun. The 25 miles of freeflowing gauley river and the six miles of the meadow river pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. Gauley season is a special time for rafting on the gauley river. As rafting outfitters began to take commercial trips down the gauley, additional rapid names were added to the list as guides needed a frame of reference, said paul breuer, cofounder of mountain river tours, which was the second company to operate on the gauley river. Registerherald file photosrafters hit a rapid at pillar rock in the upper gauley river on a fall trip. Adventures on the gorge leading the world outdoors. Took one day out of the vacation to go white water rafting. As the number 2 us white water run in number 7 in the world, you should expect white knuckle excitement.
Sep 17, 2015 gauley season 2015 wipeouts on both pillow rock and sweets falls, with a special faceplant on dildo rock in box canyon yes thats the official name. The lochsa is the most exciting white water rafting adventure in idaho. Rafting the gauley river in west virginia a mountain whitewater. Insignificanta misnomerpillow rock, lost paddle, iron ring, and sweet. Gauley season 2015 wipeouts on both pillow rock and sweets falls, with a special faceplant on dildo rock in box canyon yes thats the. Two distinct 12mile sections upper gauley and lower. Dropping more than 668 feet through 25 miles of rugged terrain, the gauley river s complex stretch of whitewater features more than 100 rapids with a steep gradient, technical runs, an incredible volume of water. The river boasts big, forgiving class v rapids set in an old, lush river gorge. Lower gauley river whitewater rafting adventures on the gorge.
Upper gauley thrill returns with a rush news register. Just after the dam, turn left where the sign says gauley river national recreation area. Having enjoyed our time in morgantown, we made our way down to fayetteville, west virginia, and prepared for a weekend of gauley river rafting goodness 46 weekends out of the year, the gauley river is a pretty average boating experience. During the gauley season septemberoctober, the class v difficult rapids are the big draw. Gauley rafting season starts the friday after labor day and runs for six weekends during scheduled dam releases friday thru monday the first five weekends, and saturday thru sunday the last weekend. Our river rafting adventures give the whole family a chance to enjoy the fun of a rafting trip, because we offer different levels of whitewater. The fall upper gauley is the most highadventure trip that most rafters will ever see. We will always choose the most fun combination of boat sizes and river sections to give you a unique gauley rafting experience. If youre considering whitewater rafting idahos thrilling lochsa river, a quick comparison with west virginias gauley river and californias tuolumne river will help you prepare for your adventure. From the new river gorge to the eastern panhandle, west virginia can take you from mild to wild and give you the adventure of a lifetime right here in. Gauley river whitewater rafting season begins sept. The gauley river national recreation area, located near summersville, west virginia, protects a 25mile 40 km portion of the gauley river and a 5.
Rafting the gauley river 1 minute read the raft steadies for what seems like a nanosecond before the crest of a wave hooks the thick rubber inflatable and propels it through the. Whitewater outfitters are offering customers the rides of their lives during the fall rafting season on the gauley river. Vehicles were parked along side the road as far as the eye could see, with either a raft or a kayak on top of each. Gauley offers good summer trout fishing outdoor pursuits. River expeditions runs trips on the gauley river in the summer from memorial day weekend through labor day weekend, based on water flows.
Upper gauley river whitewater rafting adventures on the gorge. See more ideas about rafting, west virginia and whitewater rafting. My most vivid memory from a gauley rafting trip is in iron ring, which is one of the more notorious rapids on the river. The gauley river in west virginia is recognized by paddlers as one of the topranked rivers in the world. To kick off the season, rafters gathered friday at the upper gauley river putin. However, in the whitewater world, everyone knows about gauley season.
Most clips are from 2015 gauley fest, but a few clips are from. Dropping more than 668 feet through 25 miles of rugged terrain, the gauley rivers complex stretch of whitewater features more than 100 rapids with a steep gradient. The roaring gauley river rushes to life on a few select days in september and october, making it one of the top 10 whitewater rivers in the world for a short time in the fall. At river expeditions, we offer a number of whitewater rafting trips and vacations, suitable for various ages and abilities, on the new river and the gauley river. Rafting guides liken the start of gauley season the 22 days in september and october when the river churnsto christmas morning. Thousands of whitewater enthusiasts come to the gauley every fall season, to paddle what is considered by many to be the one of the best whitewater rivers in the country. National park service nps employees have been working, and are continuing to work, on preparing the putins and takeouts, roads, and other public use spots for upcoming gauley river national recreation area nra visitation. At the upstream end of the park is the summersville dam, the only area of the park accessible by vehicle. The rafting championships are going to be held sept. Every september beginning the weekend after labor day, the summersville dam executes a series of scheduled releases into the gauley river.
Go rafting with a commercial outfitter on the gauley river ace adventure resort right in aces backyard, you will find a rich diversity in white water rafting adventures beginnerfriendly trips for the whole family or a ride so wild it takes. Take a wild ride on the famous class v rapids of the gauley river. Choose between the most challenging whitewater rafting of the year on the upper gauley or a scenic, wilderness adventure on the lower gauley river suitable for newer rafters. Gauley river whitewater rafting trips gauley season begins the first weekend after labor day, and is the premier whitewater rafting experience in west virginia. These releases continue through october and transform the gauley river into one of the most intense whitewater rivers in the world thus giving us gauley season. West virginia offers some of the best whitewater rafting found anywhere in the world. When the floodgates are opened at summersville dam the gauley river features the worlds best rafting. The gauley is famous for its big 5 rapids on the upper section, but theres also the less intimidating and extremely fun lower gauley. Upper gauley river whitewater rafting adventures on the. Rafting reunion on the gauley river highland outdoors. Gauley release dates calendar adventures on the gorge. American whitewater has leased this private property during gauley season since 1990. Whether youre looking for a relaxing float down the new river or an adrenalinepacked expedition during gauley season, west virginia is the place for you.
But that doesnt mean you cant raft the gauley river right now. There are several dangerous pinning spots on the gauley. The rangers and staff of the gauley river national recreation area welcome you to the 2015 boating season. The new river established itself as a whitewater classic long ago. Join ceo roger wilson as he addresses guests in how we will be moving forward regards to opening this season. The river features numerous recreational whitewater areas, including those in gauley river national recreation area downstream of the summersville dam.
Handy 2015 gauley season calendar for all of you adventurers. Army corps of engineers opened the valves at summersville lake dam to start lowering the lake from its summertime pool to its winter level. Rafting deaths are very rare, and the number of people that we have taken since we started rafting in the 1960s is more than a million commercial and private rafters have went down the gauley and. Then beginning the friday after labor day the fall draw down of summersville lake begins and brings gauley river to its peak rafting flows. Its technical rapids, inaccessibility and scenic beauty contribute to its world class designation. September 21, 2015 and another glorious day to be racing on the gauley. Ace adventure resort offers 40 years of experience guiding upper gauley rafting trips. This quintessential river is also the site of american whitewaters largest annual fundraiser called gauley fest.
With over 70 rapids and breathtaking scenery the entire way, the fall lower gauley is the best choice for an adventurous firsttimer or an experienced new river enthusiast who wants to go one step further. Twentythree releases are scheduled this season, with an extra hour of release scheduled for sept. Over the course of six weeks, water levels ideal for rafting are released from summersville lake to provide thrilling whitewater opportunities on a set release schedule. All year the summersville lake collects water until fall when much of it is released. Rafting with the afternoon temperatures isnt a bad perk either.
During gauley season, the river transforms into the beast of the east and gets a bump up the list of best places for whitewater rafting in the states, if not the planet. Youre going to have something to smile about at the end of the day. Rafting the gauley river in west virginia a mountain. Our lower gauley rafting trip is 17 miles long and includes thrilling rapids like class v heavens gate and pure screaming hell.
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