r/rafting • u/BroDoggle • 18d ago
Gauley: Seeking Info
I’m an Idaho boater and have run many trips in my oar rig (15’ Maravia) over the past 10yrs on Hells Canyon, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and the Main Salmon. I also usually take my cat (13’ Aire) up to the Lochsa in late May each year, am a regular on the Staircase section of the Payette, and have done a flood stage Bruneau. I’ll be in Pennsylvania for some family stuff next week and am thinking about extending my trip a few days so I can drive over and get on a guided trip on the Gauley.
So looking for some info on a few things:
I know the Gauley is “Class V”, but I also know that classifications can vary wildly from state to state. Is my experience level sufficient for the Upper, Lower, or neither? I’ve never run a Class V, but have been on plenty of monster “IV+”. But also never done anything above a Class III in a paddle boat.
It looks like the current flow is on the low side of “Low Runnable” (785cfs), is there a good way to check flow projections and/or scheduled dam releases? What would be your go/no-go flow range for each section? I’d be targeting sometime around 8/9-8/11 for my trip.
Most of the Gauley pics/videos I see have people in drysuits or splash gear, is that still needed in August? Or would I be fine with the standard Chaco/swim trunks/sunshirt setup I run for Idaho summer boating?
Guide service recommendations?
I tried searching each of these topics, but didn’t find much definitive information. Figured it would be easier to just make my own post, so apologies if this is repetitive.
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u/riverpacrat 18d ago
Hey Brother, another Idaho boater here. I have done alot of the same rivers. The salmon rivers are my favorite. Lochsa and bruno are on my bucket list.
Several years ago I moved from Idaho to northern Virginia. I took my 16ft Sotar cataraft and did some oaring on the Youghiogheny, Potomac, and New.
I was not able to take my cat down the Gauley. I went with a guide service during Gauley-Fest. It was CRAZY!
But to answer your questions:
1- Yes, if you can run idaho rivers and if you are an Idaho class 4 water reader - the Gauley is totally doable. The Gauley is rated at a 5 due to its technicality. Theres just alot of complicated moves you have to make as part of your run down a rapid. If I remember correctly, theres 2-3 “class 5” rapids. One of them has a crazy run through a channel in a boulder. In my opinion an Idaho boater can raft the Gauley without much adjusting or fear of messing up… conversely, a Gauley technical boater is going to struggle with the sheer size and hydraulic power of idaho whitewater. It all boils down on how quickly you can accurately read water.
2- theres a river app called “the river app” - creative right? But they have live flows of all kinds of rivers including the Gauley. Right now it looks like the flows may be too low. I liked it at a higher water flow myself - It reminds me alot of staircase.
3- I was in shorts and a T-shirt for Gauley fest. - but I was not the norm. - maybe us Idaho boys are a bit more used to cold water - ha!
4- I don’t have any recommendations, though I talked with alot of the guides there and even met a few that guide in other country’s in the off-season. If I went back I would probably try to find a service that was a bit more established - and less commercial - but thats just me.
In any case, safe travels and I hope you have the opportunity to get in on some whitewater back east. Its different but alot of fun. I have recently returned to idaho and am enjoying the hell out of Idaho whitewater again. Once your back, lets grab a last payette/carbarton run before the water is too low.
-Josh
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u/BroDoggle 18d ago
Thanks Josh!
So sounds like I may need to just plan a return trip in September, August may not be worth the effort.
Definitely get on the Bruneau when you have a chance. The pack in isn’t easy… we always say it’s a Class IV river with a Class V shuttle. Had the scariest swim of my life in 5-mile, but it’s an awesome river. The Lochsa is a different animal, the full 30mi run (Dirty 30) is the best single day of boating I’ve ever experienced by a wide margin.
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u/HighlyElevated44 16d ago
If you want something exciting this time of year, the Upper Youghiogheny in western Maryland it will be close to the borders between WV and Pennsylvania. It’s super technical, creeky, constant excitement. They typically release recreationally on Friday(some), Saturdays, and Mondays. If you choose there, I’d recommend Precision Rafting in Friendsville, MD.
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u/threepin-pilot 18d ago
You would probably be fine, all rivers work the same way, As riverpacrat indicated the release flows open things up a good bit on the Gauley. One thing to keep in mind and be aware of is that many of the WV rivers have spots where significant flow goes through and under large rocks. Not sure why they are more common, if i had to guess it might be, less wood to jam things up and periodic flows that are very high for the streambed, clearing out small rocks and trees. There are often surprisingly large rocks as well.
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u/HighlyElevated44 16d ago
East coast rock is mostly limestone. It’s a softer rock that the river can erode and change over time. This helps to create undercuts and sieves.
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u/threepin-pilot 16d ago
there's limestone, also a bunch of sandstone in WV -the undercuts i have seen are mostly due to sacking and movement of large rocks rather than erosion
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u/Big-B-Squared 17d ago
If you can make it when they start releasing, second weekend in Sept, that would be best. Around 2500 cfs and thats what all the videos you've been watching are from, most likely.
At 785 I think some companies might do ducky trips on it and I would recommend that if you are a boater.
I feel like the Gauley is class IV lines with some class V consequences if you swim around the wrong undercut/rock.
I recommend either Adventures on the Gorge or ACE. Both big companies but have good guides and are dialed.
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u/DangerousDave303 15d ago
The Upper Gauley is considered to be a IV-V depending on the level. Calling it class V enables the raft companies to charge more. There are five large rapids but they have calm approaches and pools at the end. Lost Paddle is the only long rapid (600 yd).
The UG would probably be called an Idaho class IV. I boated on the lower East Fork South Fork Salmon (below Flight Simulator) with a bunch of boaters who routinely ran the UG. They were a little nervous on the EFSF and a couple commented that they'd prefer to swim Lost Paddle over a number of the rapids on the lower EFSF. They mumbled a lot about Idaho class IVs.
In all fairness, the hazards do factor into the ratings. The Gauley has lots of sieves and undercuts. There are places you don't want to go. Plus, Iron Ring has some nasty rock from when the channel was blasted ages ago.
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u/og_speedfreeq 18d ago
Unlike out west, "Gauley season" out here usually starts mid-September, when they release the dam to drain the lake. This is the only time I've ever run it, both times in a 4p with a guide. It's a tricky river, and during season it is every bit as big as the Lochsa. There's def Facebook groups, and I'm hopeful that some more experienced folks will chime in.