Buckhannon, West Virginia, US
|
|
2. Tenmile to Sago
| Usual Difficulty |
III-IV (for normal flows) |
| Length |
4.8 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
53 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
75 fpm |
S-turn Rapid, entering Middle route
S-turn Rapid, entering Middle routePhoto of Paul Lange (MI) by Karen Frank taken 05/07/04 @ 8.8
Gauge Information
River Description
Joseph Greiner wrote:
We ran this on 5/4/2002 at 8.4 and falling slowly on the Buckhannon gauge. Cannot believe this
stretch does not get more traffic. It's delightful and interesting and scenic and remote.
SHUTTLE. easier than the book says. It is easy to find Sago. We parked upstream of the bridge in
Sago about a mile where the road widened and there was a clear place to park. From there we
continued upstream and the paved road turned away from the river and went through a coal mine and
breaking operation. Continue on this paved road up and up until you come to Big Bend Church on your
left. At this point you can turn to the right down a very good looking gravel road (WRONG!!) or you
can go straight ahead down what looks like a little traveled dirt road (CORRECTO MUNDO!!). This
road starts downhill almost immediately and after about 2-3 miles...you're in Tenmile. The road is
fine to travel and unless there is a washout or something, any vehicle can travel it. (We had a
Ford Van and later a Plymouth Reliant.) Total time about 15 minutes or less. As of 5/4/2002 we were
told by a local to park and put in on River Right upstream of the bridge. According to a resident,
this property has been purchased by the state of WV. This property is "Kamp Rippling Waters." (The
owners, Neil & Barb, say "Kamp Rippling Waters is privately owned as a 'get-away' cabin but we
still allow access to the river. We just ask that the property and river be treated with respect.
And if we are there, stop in long enough to say Hi.")
THE RIVER: guidebook has it about right. At the level we ran it at (using Nantahala Falls as
reference rapid at class III-), we four thought that about 4-5 rapids deserved a rating (depending
on the rapid) from about a class III- to a III+ or maybe IV- ratings. All scoutable and walkable,
although none of us walked any. None of them surprised us. The river is approximately pool and drop
in character. Don't let the gradient in the guide book of 53 fpm fool you. If one takes out the
flat last mile then the gradient goes to about 70-75 fpm and that is about what it felt like. If
you like the Upper Meadow at about 6 feet or the Middle Fork at 3.5-4.5, try this one at 7.0-9.0
some day. I predict a pleasant surprise.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2006-01-03 19:51:40
S-turn Rapid, entering Middle route
Entrance Rapid, Left Side
The Wall Rapid, center rock broach
The Wall Rapid, middle view
The Wall Rapid, entering the top right
Detail Trip Report
The Wall Rapid, entering the top right
Buckhannon, WV(67.84KB .jpeg)
S-turn Rapid, Stern Riding the bottom
Detail Trip Report
S-turn Rapid, Stern Riding the bottom
Buckhannon, WV(68.61KB .jpeg)
S-turn Rapid, Bottom Third
S-turn Rapid, entering Middle route
Detail Trip Report
S-turn Rapid, entering Middle route
Buckhannon, WV(132.46KB .jpeg)
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
river goes under rocks). Stay left!!! Scout to be sure. This is a very pleasant run, but keep an
eye out for logs. The shuttle is easy.
stretch does not get more traffic. It's delightful and interesting and scenic and remote.<br>
SHUTTLE. easier than the book says. It is easy to find Sago. We parked upstream of the bridge in
Sago about a mile where the road widened and there was a clear place to park. From there we
continued upstream and the paved road turned away from the river and went through a coal mine and
breaking operation. Continue on this paved road up and up until you come to Big Bend Church on your
left. At this point you can turn to the right down a very good looking gravel road (WRONG!!) or you
can go straight ahead down what looks like a little traveled dirt road (CORRECTO MUNDO!!). This
road starts downhill almost immediately and after about 2-3 miles...you're in Tenmile. The road is
fine to travel and unless there is a washout or something, any vehicle can travel it. (We had a
Ford Van and later a Plymouth Reliant.) Total time about 15 minutes or less. As of 5/4/2002 we were
told by a local to park and put in on river right upstream of the bridge. According to a resident,
this property has been purchased by the state of WV. On 5/4/2002 the property still had a sign on
it proclaiming it to be "Kamp Rippling Waters".<br>
THE RIVER: guidebook has it about right. At the level we ran it at (using Nantahala Falls as
reference rapid at class III-), we four thought that about 4-5 rapids deserved a rating (depending
on the rapid) from about a class III- to a III+ or maybe IV- ratings. All scoutable and walkable,
although none of us walked any. None of them surprised us. The river is approximately pool and drop
in character. Don't let the gradient in the guide book of 53 fpm fool you. If one takes out the
flat last mile then the gradient goes to about 70-75 fpm and that is about what it felt like. If
you like the Upper Meadow at about 6 feet or the Middle Fork at 3.5-4.5, try this one at 7.0-9.0
some day. I predict a pleasant surprise.