Fike Run, Pennsylvania, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | IV-V (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.8 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 92 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 160 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG SANDY CREEK NEAR ROCKVILLE 5SW | ||||
| hads-ROCW2 | 1300 - 5000 cfs | IV-V | ~ cfs | |
Note: most of this run is actually on Little Sandy Creek (PA); the putin is on Fike Run, though, and the Natl Atlas has the whole thing listed as Little Sandy Creek.
This is a popular steep and narrow creek run when everything's been inundated by rain.
Gordon Dalton points out:
It should be noted that there is one very dangerous ("unrunnable") drop on Fikes. (Ben
Badger points out that this rapid is probably best known as "Hubbard's Cupboard", but
Kevin Williams calls it "Chump's Choice." It probably has other names.) The approach
looks good but the final part ends in a chute with a skewering log in it. You can scrape down a
high-water passage to the FAR left, around a rocky island and WAY away from the log or just carry
it. (2001)
Kevin Williams 2003-06-09 shared:
"Chump's Choice" ("unrunnable") or whatever it's called, can be anticipated
right after the first pool-flat water section. Look for a large flat boulder on RL in the flow
and a triangle shaped boulder farther downstream. It looks like it would be easy to stumble into
so be careful! The problem is a large clamshell rock blocking all but 5' of flow on the RR and
all but 10' on RL- if you go down there at lower flows you will get pinned. I don't know what
"skewering log" the above guide is talking about, the rock will get you first, although
there currently is wood below it if you happened to make it that far--Possibly passable at higher
flow but you'd better look! I've scraped down the left passage even at low water but it takes a
toll on plastic- there is an insidiously silly slot over there that catches people broached
up-stream frequently, leaving them flailing until someone wades over and extricates them.
Dang fun run with one easy but really steep section (boof pool, boof pool for 200 meters). One of the prettiest runs I've seen.
Check large flat rock river right @ the takeout bridge for level.
Kevin Williams shared:
Gauge is up Dinner Bell Road from the put-in about a mile, painted on bridge. 1'
Robert Farmer added:
Generally, you need at least 7.0 at Rockville on Big Sandy Creek, WV, although the other day it was 7.2 and Fikes was only 0.8 at Dinner Bell Road. Later, when the Sandy came up to 12.0, Fikes was around 3.5 at the time when I came by. It might have been higher earlier.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG SANDY CREEK NEAR ROCKVILLE 5SW | ||||||||||||
| hads-ROCW2 | 1300 - 5000 cfs | IV-V | ~ cfs | |||||||||
|
This is a correlation gauge from the Big Sandy. Use it with caution, and scout for runnability before putting on. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fike Run [PA] |
gauge at takeout
|
medium-high | Jeff Macklin | |
| Fike Run [PA] |
Hubbard's Cupboard, Looking Upstream
|
medium and too low | Jeff Macklin | |
| Fike Run [PA] |
Fike Run
|
n/a | Matt Muir | |
| 6y283d12h34m | Fike Run [PA] |
Hubbard's Cupboard, looking downstream
|
too low to paddle | Jeff Macklin |
| 6y361d12h34m | Fike Run [PA] |
Entrance View to Hubbard's Cupboard
|
low | Jeff Macklin |
| 7y345d12h34m | Fike Run [PA] |
Entering the Room
|
low+ | Jeff Macklin |
| 8y40d12h34m | Fike Run [PA] |
Fikes one more time
|
1.5 | Sam Baudoux |
| 8y63d12h34m | Fike Run [PA] |
ledge on Fike
|
Low | Jeff Macklin |
| 8y142d12h34m | Fike Run [PA] |
Kurt in the "Room"
|
low | Jeff Macklin |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -1.8 | Upstream putin | N/A |  |
| 0.2 | Hubbard's Cupboard | V |   |
| 4.8 | Parking for takeout | N/A |  |
If you want a longer run with some easy warmup rapids--still pretty, and this is an easier putin.
This is the one that people typically walk or sneak. Gordon Dalton points out:
The approach looks good but the final part ends in a chute with a skewering log in it. You can scrape down a high-water passage to the FAR left, around a rocky island and WAY away from the log or just carry it.
Lat/long coords verified by GPS (thanks, Jeff Macklin!) Distance is approximate.
reach
state
reachlink
Road crossing 5 mi. up from Gibbon Glade Run to Gibbon Glade Run, Fike Run Pennsylvania, US (mobile)
User Comments
Parking for popular put-in = N39.73449 W79.56598 ... Follow trail strait down the hill.../// Bridge
near upper put-in = N39.72694 W79.54057 ... Parking for upper put-in = N39.72784 W79.53866 ...
Beautiful pines and rhododendron, but much flat water & downed wood.../// Fike Run, take-out =
N39.73862 W79.59236 ... Parking for take-out = N39.73805 W79.59198 ... /// Hubbard's Cupboard =
N39.74160 W79.56670
other day it was 7.2 and Fikes was only 0.8 at Dinner Bell Road. Later, when the Sandy came up to
12.0, Fikes was around 3.5 at the time when I came by. It might have been higher earlier. Edit
first series, before the confluence with the Sandy. We were able to paddle over it but lower water
could be different. Other than that the run was clean and lots of fun. Edit
portaged. There is a gauge at Dinner Bell Road; 1.0 is approx. minimum, while 2.0 is cranking. At
2.0, it's non-stop action, solid Class 5. I like to put on at McCracken School Road, just upstream
from the gauge; I find that I spend less time falling painfully on my ass and sliding down the
muddy hill, that way. Plus, there are a few good rapids up there, although they might not be good
enough for the truly manic paddlers. To avoid the first death slot, keep an eye out for a large,
alpine-shaped rock on the left with a small semi-eddy at its top. It turns out that this rock
separates two channels, and if you're not anticipating it fully, you are screwed. Once, I got
washed backwards out of this eddy when I wasn't showing it the proper respect. Hoo-ee, that was
embarrassing!