OCT Lehigh Gorge, PA - Aug 23-24

chromo · Post by **chromo** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:40 pm

I will be coordinating a trip to the Lehigh Gorge for the weekend of August 23-24.

The Lehigh is located in Northeastern PA, in the Pocono mountains. Overall, the river has about 25 miles of fairly continuous class II+ to easy III whitewater through a scenic gorge. The entire length is within a state park, so it has little-to-no development besides the access areas and a rails-to-trails bike path that follows the entire length of the river. If you don't want to paddle both days, or have a significant other that doesn't paddle, bring your bike (or rent one there). The water will be cool (but not freezing) dam released flow.

Currently the release is scheduled at 650+inflow/850 max; however, it is *very likely* that it will be increased to 1700 on Saturday and 1000 on Sunday (which would be a *wonderful* level!) I will update this thread as soon as the higher release is confirmed.

We will be staying at Hickory Run State Park, which is near the put-in for the Upper section (I'll post my site# once I get one). Current plan is to run the Upper section at a leisurely time on Saturday and the Lower section as early as we feel like it on Sunday, so that we can get home at a reasonable time.

Upper section on AW:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... l/id/3138/
Lower section on AW:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... l/id/3137/

I see this as a great chance for the Novice+ or Low Intermediate paddler that is comfortable on the Upper James to spend two full days on a beautiful river that is rarely hit by Coastals. There are no rapids on the Lehigh that are as difficult as Hollywood or Cucumber. This trip will have all the beauty and play and continuous river running fun of the Lower Yough, but it should be significantly easier than the Lower Yough.

Who's in?! More details to come as we get closer. Thanks

allsky7 · Post by **allsky7** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:56 pm

Chris,

This is a river that has been on my radar for some time. Looks like a blast. Unfortunately, due to work I will once again miss out on this summers great trips.

I hope you will do it again in the future.

Steve

Dake · Post by **Dake** » Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:39 pm

Yea,it's been on my list,and now it's on my calander.....

chromo · Post by **chromo** » Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:41 pm

I have reserved site 304 at Hickory Run State Park for Fri 8/22 and Sat 8/23 nights. There are plenty of sites open in that area, and for $5 extra we can add a second vehicle to a site if we need to or if you just want to save a few bucks.

So far we have 4 tentative yeses: myself, Dake, Raven, and Brad C. Plus a bunch of "hmmm, maybes"

Regarding the water, 650-850 is guaranteed so we have a trip regardless. I am still hoping to see 1700 on Sat and 1000 on Sun. According to the dam on Facebook, "the numbers add up to the 8/23-24 bonuses happening, but with less than 150 DSF(2976 ft-acre) margin for error, So don't expect a final decision until next week"

ihab · Post by **ihab** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 2:12 pm

Is anyone interested around Harrisonburg/Cville area to share the ride, my car can't handle this long drive, and it's too boring to drive by my self

Thx

StickMan · Post by **StickMan** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 3:00 pm

I'm not keen on driving by myself either. I just got back from SC last night and was boring being in car for 14 hours over two days there and back. I can swing that way to get to Lehigh no problems. Staying Saturday night too and paddling Sunday morning whenever we rally up then back to VA.

My plan is to go by my office Friday morning near Richmond at 9ish and drop some stuff off, I have one other quick thing to do there. Will be out by 10. Right now I can't give you an exact time being in Harrisonburg, but I'll be out enough distance to update you as I leave the Richmond area and appraoch Harrisonburg.

Let me know, its no problem either way. I just don't want to be in the car this week 20+ hours alone beating interstate.

ihab · Post by **ihab** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:58 am

Great, txt me @ 646-twosixsix-6315
Thx

chromo · Post by **chromo** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:20 pm

Late notice but we got the 1700/1000 release!! Yeah!

http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Media/New ... alter.aspx

open boater · Post by **open boater** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:17 am

should be a good level, have fun and be safe- make sure you check out the" boulder garden" at Hickory Run State Park