OCT Sun 1/12 MASON'S CREEK IS IN!!!!

[Elanor325]

UPDATE: MASON'S IS IN!!! Click over to pg 2 for details and updates. Did you know there was a page 2?!?


Well, Chris and I will be paddling somewhere at some point this weekend, lol.
This trip is posted for Sat, which looks warm & rainy. Options will be in the Class II/II+range and will likely have a light focus on surf & skills. Some possibilities I'll be watching include: Walker Creek, Dan River below Jessup's Mill, Maury Below Ledges or Rockbridge Baths, Roanoke River Gorge, Mason's Creek (should we be so lucky), and Balcony would be the back-up. There's also a possibility we'll bump to Sunday, or paddle again if rivers come up. Decision may be last minute, so stay tuned and holler out your preferences

[Elanor325]

Surf & Skillz Paddle will be SUNDAY at 11:30. Location will be announced by 8:30a Sunday and will in the Roanoke or Maury/Balcony vicinity. If we have any energy left, we'll head over to the pool session at the Gator Center.

In order of wishful hoping:
1. Mason's Creek is visual gauge 3.2-4.5ft,
2. RRG between 400-1000ish,
3. Maury if 400-900,
4. Balcony 2ft-4.5ft.

Shout out if you are following. Also, It might be warm Sunday, but please dress for cold-water immersion.

Bonus: Pool Session 6-8p, $5 Roanoke Gator Center.
***make sure your boat is CLEAN!!! Check inside too! There's no hose at the pool, but you can use the one in my front yard on your way to the pool.

River and Pool Sessions have no formal instruction, but feel free to ask for help.

Rescue Skill of the Weekend: The lost art of the T-rescue. Swim less if you don't have, or miss, your roll. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiBd2RnXu7g

Stroke Skill of the Weekend: Vertical Strokes for Power & Precision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-QS2zrThQ

SYOTR

[jeffj]

I'm watching and waiting. I'm on for Sunday.
Jeff

[bambam]

I'm hopeful for something Maury on Sunday. Bit of a long shot but expecting 3/4" of rain on Saturday on top of some wet snow.

Cheers,

Ken Dubel

[pyoung]

Definitely interested in Masons- where is the put-in & take-out? I'm on the fence with the others.

[Elanor325]

Pyong -. I'm not sure we'll get enough rain for Mason's, but here's hoping. People typically meet at the take out under 81. The visual gauge is by the walking bridge next to orange market, under 460/electric rd. From orange market, Head south and take an immefiate left to get to the takeout downstream.

[Regina]

I would be more interested in the Maury area for Sunday. Rain is coming! And 60+ degrees in January is amazing.

Regina

[JBowman]

I am interested in paddling the Maury on Sunday if it works out. I got a new Werner Strike paddle for Christmas; I'd like to try out.

Ken, I am assuming you are organizing this trip? Is there a game plan, meaning, when and where are we meeting, and what section are we planning on paddling?

-Jason

[bambam]

I'm still hoping to paddle with Abbie. If we spin off elsewhere then I'll start a separate thread tomorrow morning (Sunday).

Abbie, if you get a minute I'd like to know more about Masons Creek. I found it on the map but haven't found any beta on it.

Ken

[Elanor325]

Ken-. Mason's is a fun little, narrow Class II-III creek with 2 notable drops and good spinning holes to play in when the levels are right. They wash out at higher levels and are non existent at lower ones. Its a fantastic intro to Creeking run and we usually do a few laps. Googling Orange Market will get you to the visual gauge mid-run. It's right off exit 140/141, I think, and the take out is under the 81 bridge. I'll drop a pin tomorrow if it runs, but it will take a lot of rain.

The usgs gauge is usually broken, so I'll have to drive over and get a visual in the morning. I'll post by 8:30.

Our next choice is the Roanoke River Gorge, followed by the Maury.

[GinnyN]

Abbie, now you've peeked my interest in Mason Creek. Unfortunately i am elsewhere committed tomorrow, but "a fun little, narrow Class II-III " sounds nice. and the you tubes I've found look interesting. but I'm not seeing a USGS gage on Mason Creek, or any USGS gage nearby. Can you help me out with a link to the gage? thanks. no hurry.

[JBowman]

I'll paddle wherever if it works out. I'll plan to monitor the forum and play it by ear tomorrow morning based on what y'all decide.

[Elanor325]

Ginny-. Sorry, you are right! I'm not sure whose gauge it is. I have to find it on RiverApp. But it rarely actually updates so I'll drive out in the morning to look if I think we got enough rain.

[gromit]

We’d be in for Maury PO down but secretly hoping the pass will run...!

[Elanor325]

UPDATE: MASON'S IS IN!!! Click over to pg 2 for details and updates. Did you know there was a page 2?!?



Good morning folks! The river gods have blessed us! Roanoke is IN and the Creek Clause is in effect!

HOWEVER, the Mason's gauge hasn't updated since 2:40a, right after the storm and I still have to drive over (going now) to see how fast it's dropping.

In other news:. John's is in! It is still climbing slowly. It just snuck above the perfect 1st timer level, but it still very runable for confident Class IV boaters. I don't know the lines there, so if you want in, as your fearful leader, I direct you to the Boaters of the 540/434 Facebook page as SOMEONE will be on this if the levels stay between 250-500. 250-300 is the 1st timer sweet spot.

I think Back Creek is also in, but similar to John's, check in with the 540/434 group for perfect levels. This Creek had a lot of wood in it last time it ran so....


I'll be back in 30 min with a Mason's update.