New, Virginia, US
|
|
04. McCoy Falls to Eggleston (McCoy Falls)
| Usual Difficulty |
I-II(III) (for normal flows) |
| Length |
5 Miles |
McCoy
McCoyPhoto of Dieter by Jason Bordwine taken 05/22/04 @ ~3.5 ft
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
NEW RIVER AT RADFORD, VA
|
|
usgs-03171000 |
3.00 - 15.00 ft
|
I-II(III) |
01h11m |
2.52
ft
(rc= -0.0 ) |
River Description
The put-in at McCoy Falls (technically "Big Falls" at McCoy) was the site of the New
River Rodeo for years. This popular event drew quite a crowd of competitors, vendors, and
spectators. When the land around the access area changed hands the new landowner didn't want
anything to do with the event and it had to be discontinued. The loss of this event was quite a
blow to the VA paddling community, even more so because a replacment venue has never been
found.
Although this is the put-in for a beginner and fisherman float (McCoy to Eggleston) the real
story for whitewater paddlers here is Park-n-Play. Just 15 minutes from Blacksburg/VA Tech and a
short drive from the rest of the New River Valley, this spot provides great play when the water
is over 3 feet.
This is also very popular tubing location with a company located half a mile upstream renting
tubes to every drunken college kid in the state. Luckily (or unluckily, as the case may be) most
of the time when it is warm enough to tube the water isn't high enough to bring out the boaters
(the exception being the month of May). However, the perks of bikini-clad (some more clad than
others) college girls sunbathing while you're boating cannot be overstated.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2010-11-02 14:18:14
Editors
McCoy Falls as seen from the cliffs high on the mountain on river right
Aaron at The Upper Hole at McCoy Falls, New River, VA
Mike D shreding Ender Hole at McCoy Falls, VA
User Comments
the pic of Ender Hole as seen from the cliffs, it is on the river right of the rock that creates
the eddy where you wait to get into Ender Hole. Its called Christmas Hole 'cause you'll be in it
until Christmas! (or later . . . . ) This is a hole that only the pro/advanced paddlers were
allowed to compete in during the NR Rodeo. One year, during the NR Rodeo (in April), a father/son
combo came thru the hole in rec kayaks. Both boats flipped & the father swam out, but the boy was
recirculated. Fortunately, one of the pro paddlers in the eddy went into the hole, grabbed the boy,
bailed out of his kayak, and the two of them were pulled into the eddy by a throwrope thrown from
the shredder in the eddy. No damage done fortunately, but I think the father learned his lesson
that day. Edit