O.C.T. New River Rendezvous over Labor Day
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 6:51 pm
I have been “loosely coordinating” this trip every Labor Day since 2002. It's an easy job but I've been doing it for the past 22 events and I want someone else to step up for 2024. I will happily share notes on how I've been doing it which you are invited to ignore.
=========================================
Traditionally we have met at Ray’s Campground on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at ten a.m. at the picnic tables behind the office. We'll meet at nine a.m. on Sunday and Monday. If you are driving there on Saturday morning then try to allow time to at least throw camping gear out of the car so you'll be useful for shuttles.
This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers. If you’ve never been in a boat before then you aren’t ready. At ordinary water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly while the gorge offers more difficult rapids. With rain other options open up.
Where? Ray’s is in Hico (pronounced HIGHcoh) near the intersection of routes 60 and 19 which is about five miles north of where the New goes under route 19. Head west very briefly on 60 and turn right on Sunday Road. Sunday Road is narrow so take it easy. Ray’s is about a mile on the left. 304-658-4386. Reservations are not required for tent sites. Some tent sites are now reservable but it looks like they are already booked. At last count it was $10 per person per night. Electric sites are $10 extra. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours.
In past years they have accepted cash, check, and all major credit cards. I’ll guess they prefer cash so bring some bills.
GPS user note, I love that technology, trust it blindly if you wish. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out. It can go a bit bonkers out there. In recent years phone coverage in camp has been at least good enough to check river levels.
I’ll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and the Carolina Canoe Club, the three with which I’m most active. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs if you wish.
Cheers,
Ken Dubel
=========================================
Traditionally we have met at Ray’s Campground on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at ten a.m. at the picnic tables behind the office. We'll meet at nine a.m. on Sunday and Monday. If you are driving there on Saturday morning then try to allow time to at least throw camping gear out of the car so you'll be useful for shuttles.
This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers. If you’ve never been in a boat before then you aren’t ready. At ordinary water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly while the gorge offers more difficult rapids. With rain other options open up.
Where? Ray’s is in Hico (pronounced HIGHcoh) near the intersection of routes 60 and 19 which is about five miles north of where the New goes under route 19. Head west very briefly on 60 and turn right on Sunday Road. Sunday Road is narrow so take it easy. Ray’s is about a mile on the left. 304-658-4386. Reservations are not required for tent sites. Some tent sites are now reservable but it looks like they are already booked. At last count it was $10 per person per night. Electric sites are $10 extra. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours.
In past years they have accepted cash, check, and all major credit cards. I’ll guess they prefer cash so bring some bills.
GPS user note, I love that technology, trust it blindly if you wish. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out. It can go a bit bonkers out there. In recent years phone coverage in camp has been at least good enough to check river levels.
I’ll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and the Carolina Canoe Club, the three with which I’m most active. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs if you wish.
Cheers,
Ken Dubel
