i plan on doing the gauley marathon in sept or october with about 6 friends we are all around 30, not sure on the date yet. just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on a rafting company to go with.. and if we should camp out at the rafting companies property or stay at a other campground...also what places should we check out when we are done rafting?
Anyone raft the Gauley river??
- Thread starter Brian32
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1engineer
Moderator
I've only done the Gauley about 30 times lol and the lower New River close to a hundred times. I live about 15 minutes away from the New River.
Here's who you want West Virginia White Water Rafting, Family Vacations, and Outdoor Adventures | Class-VI and they have all the camping or lodging needs. We go over there several times a season to just to eat and drink a few beers.
Great places to eat in Fayetteville and Beckley. World class rock climbing and mountain biking is right there too. I ride bikes almost exclusively anymore and if you want to ride there are many options close by. Check out New River Bikes - Home or New River Gorge Bike Rentals, Sales and Service Marathon Bicycle Company and Adam or Andy will hook you up with rentals. There is a great trail system nearby https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm if you want to hike or bike. I don't ride there often (prefer our more obscure trails and away from tourists lol) but I have rode those trails dozens of times. Good luck and have fun!
tH1e swiN1e
New member
The Gauley is awesome. I travel to the New several times a year for climbing/camping trips. Ill be out there all nest week through the 4th actually. The area is awesome and you will have a blast. I always stay at the "climbers" campground but have heard the other are very nice.
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] any 4x4 trails to run in the area?
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] any 4x4 trails to run in the area?
1engineer
Moderator
Lots of places. Many are private land, some you could take a Subaru on, some need dedicated trail rigs, etc. A nice easy dirt road trip is McKendree Road. Gets tough in a few places but easy for the 4Runner. It's a state Road but it's WV lol and our rules are different....
This road goes from Thurmond to Prince with great views of the river.
1engineer
Moderator
I recommend doing the upper Gauley, on the first day of the Summersville Lake drawdown which usually is the first weekend after Labor Day. Pay extra for the small raft. If you take the small raft on the first day and do the Upper you will be dead tired. Oh, spring for the wetsuit too. I have run both upper and lower on the same day a few times and it's just not as fun as it is a trudge more than anything. Now running the upper and lower New River is different because the upper is easy and the lower is hard. It's reversed on the Gauley.
thanks for all the info!!!
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