Maury

The 'Goshen Pass' section of the Maury River is probably the most 'Classic' of Virginia's whitewater streams. Quality rapids for the intermediate or advanced paddler, outstanding scenery, and easy roadside access options combine to make Goshen the complete package for boaters in the Old Dominion. Add relatively reliable flows and you've got the makings of a great paddling destination. This river is the 'bread and butter' run for most paddlers in western and central Virginia. You can often show up and find folks to paddle with even for mid-week, after-work laps.

This run is almost entirely a roadside trip. Route 39 runs basically beside the river for almost all of the run. Above Indian Pool the land is state property - the Goshen Pass Wildlife Management Area. This land is preserved for all us all to enjoy through funds obtained through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. There is private land below Indian Pool, but still plenty of access. Walking, jogging, biking, or bumming a shuttle are options. Put-in and take-out options abound.

Since 2007, this section of the Maury River has hosted an grassroots annual downriver race. The Goshen Race typically occurs the first weekend in March in which there is flow over 600 cfs by 6 a.m. (Unless there is good local creeking going on!) If sufficient water is not available that weekend, the race automatically falls back to the next weekend with 600 cfs or more. The race starts at high noon above Undercut Rock rapid.

Trip Description:

It goes a little something like this:

'Undercut Rock': The first notable rapid, immediately below the 'lappers' put-in. A large undercut boulder rests near the right bank with most of the river passing to the left over an almost-river-wide 2' ledge. Most boaters run one of several lines down the river-left. The large undercut has had wood stuck up in it's maw for almost all of 10 years now.

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