OCT Trip this Saturday - MOVED TO BALCONY FALLS

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:27 am

I want to give a shout out to Lee for all the rain we're getting - we may even be able to paddle the Rockbridge Baths section of the Maury on Saturday. For those who aren't familiar with it, it's a beautiful 8 mile section below Goshen Pass that has several Class II-III rapids, mostly a Class II run.

I'm hoping to do this section if we have enough water remaining after Lee leaves. If not, I'm looking at either the North Branch of the Potomac or Balcony Falls. I'm not sure how this rain will affect the North Branch scheduled release this Saturday, so I'll be checking on that too.

jeffj · Post by **jeffj** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:01 pm

I'm probably in for Saturday ... NBP or BF. Maury is pretty as you say and interesting, but I prefer it closer to 4ft than 3ft. Thanks.
Jeff

ned ormsby · Post by **ned ormsby** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:18 pm

I was also thinking about the Maury this weekend. I paddle with my two kids 12 and 8 in an open canoe. I would classify us as intermediates. If you are comfortable with this, we would love to join you. I have kayaked the Maury and feel like it's in our range, but would defer to your judgement.

Let me know what you think.

Jenny · Post by **Jenny** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:23 pm

What are plans if Rockbridge Baths section of Maury is not running? It appears to be dropping rather quickly.

I've been watching the gauge on the Appomattox. So far, the gauges on the upper part have been rising, but not below Chesdin. Does anyone know whether the powers-that-be are likely to release water from the lake (or whether it is high enough upstream to come over the dam) for Sat trip?

slo2rol · Post by **slo2rol** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:52 pm

Jenny wrote:I've been watching the gauge on the Appomattox. So far, the gauges on the upper part have been rising, but not below Chesdin. Does anyone know whether the powers-that-be are likely to release water from the lake (or whether it is high enough upstream to come over the dam) for Sat trip?

We've been in drought conditions for so long that it appears they've been using most of the flow to refill the lake. If I remember correctly, when the App @ Mattoax gauge goes a little above 14ft http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/?s ... 2620,00062, then the water begins to spill over the dam and you should see it (plus any release) on the App @ Matoaca gage http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/?s ... 2620,00062.

As far as other options, the Upper James should remain at good levels through the weekend for you as well.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:05 pm

I'm still thinking about Rockbridge Baths - if it's got water, I'd like to do it. I'll make the final call tomorrow evening (8 at the latest). If we don't do this, we'll do Balcony Falls. Probably meet at either of these places around 10:30. AW says that the minimum for this section is 1.9 (and it's 2.5 at the Rockbridge Baths guage right now).

Jenny · Post by **Jenny** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:25 pm

Thanks, Brandon. I think James will still be a bit high for my liking. I'm still hoping for the Appomattox.

Barb, I'm not very optimistic about Rockbridge Baths. It's now quite a long drive for me so I think I'll pass until I'm more sure of level holding. Hope you get to go -- one of my favorite sections, too.

ned ormsby · Post by **ned ormsby** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:40 pm

I'm up for Balcony or Maury which ever is running. I'll check in tomorrow. Ned

swimmus · Post by **swimmus** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:19 pm

Could a person be able to take out a 12ft raft at Balcony? never done the section and unfamiliar with the takeout issue.

I am in if I can get the raft out. Will be me and 3 boys

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:25 pm

Count me in whether it's the Maury, Balcony Falls, or Appomatax...

Randy

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:23 am

Actually the put-in for Balcony will cause more problems than the take out. The take out is at the end of the lake before the dam (so a bit of a flat water paddle to get to it) and very easy. There are a couple harder takeouts (before the lake) that people are saying are now un-usable since the railroad starting cracking down on people crossing their tracks.

The put-in will require you to carry down and up an 8 foot ravine (how strong are the boys?) to get to the James (my recommendation). I don't think a raft can get thru the two confluence rapids in the center or river right where the Maury meets the James. I'm not sure whether there would be some way to get thru on the rocky river left side of the Maury at this level.

Any rafters out there that can add their two cents?

RangeRon78 · Post by **RangeRon78** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:04 am

Barb wrote:I'm still thinking about Rockbridge Baths - if it's got water, I'd like to do it. I'll make the final call tomorrow evening (8 at the latest). If we don't do this, we'll do Balcony Falls. Probably meet at either of these places around 10:30. AW says that the minimum for this section is 1.9 (and it's 2.5 at the Rockbridge Baths guage right now).

With one whole semester of hydrology in college, I boldly predict the gage height at Rockbridge Baths will stop dropping as fast as it has been and start leveling off. (Reset the USGS gage webpage to show the flow over a longer time period and notice the characteristic shapes of prior spikes and run-outs.) But it's still going to be at or below minimum in another 24 hours, I'm afraid. 2.5 ' as of last night, 2.26' as of 8:00 a.m. today (about 12 hours later.) We all were hoping for more.

Ron Wiley, Jr.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:36 am

Ok - in the interest of giving people time to plan, I've decided to do Balcony Falls. I'd like to check out the strainer at entrance rapid - some of us may need to carry to the James - we will not take any chances.

We'll meet at 10:30 at the put-in - PLEASE let me know if you are planning to join us, so that you're not left behind, and so that I know what kind of a group I have coming. It's a Class II/III section of the James, so also please contact me privately if you haven't done this section before.

Silent Bob · Post by **Silent Bob** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 5:42 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to find some folks to paddle with and get back on the water after a long, self imposed hiatus from paddling. And I was wondering if it would be alright if I joined up with your group for the Balcony trip this weekend?

I've run it many times over the years, and was a fairly competent IV-V paddler at one point. Used to work for Mountain River Tours as a gude/ video boater on the Gorge & Gauley. A little bit rusty now though...

Anyway, I think its time to get myself back on the water and would like to come along if you'll have me.

Thanks,

-Bob Warner

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 6:50 pm

Sure, Bob - would love to have you join us! See you at 10:30 at the put-in.

Coastals

OCT Trip this Saturday - MOVED TO BALCONY FALLS

OCT Trip this Saturday - MOVED TO BALCONY FALLS

Maury

Lee left too soon!

Balcony