Lost, West Virginia, US
|
|
2. WV 55/259 Bridge to WV 259 Bridge below Wardensville (Dry Gorge)
| Usual Difficulty |
II-III(IV) (for normal flows) |
| Length |
6 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
40 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
40 fpm |
Ledges
LedgesPhoto of Rick Koller (BRV) by Bob Maxey (BRV) taken 05/18/02
Gauge Information
River Description
The Lost River Dry Gorge is up only in the winter, spring or after a prolonged wet period. Much of
the river literally "sinks" above the gorge, only to reemerge on the other side of the
mountain from large springs. Because of this, the riverbed is mostly dry much of the year. A large
bridge for the Corridor H project is currently being built at the putin bridge.
The first few miles are characterized by closely-spaced Class II-III rapids. Strainers can be a
problem. There is a low-water bridge 2/3 of the way through that should be scouted. At favorable
levels, one can run hard right or line up with the jet currents flushing through culverts under the
bridge to ride the flow out of the hydraulic. Portage and scout on the right.
Landslide is the final and major rapid on the run (Class IV due to undercut rock on the right, part
way through the drop) and should be scouted from the river left island. The rapid is a steep chute
featuring offset holes, squirrely current and that undercut. Run center left working right to avoid
a large boulder at the bottom center. The channel remains choked below, so swimming can be a
bruiser.
Portage a second low-water bridge on the right and proceed to the takeout below Wardensville.
There is a popular takeout at the upstream end of Wardenville, but it's hard to find. A
county road that turns at mailbox 26905 appears to be a driveway. It leads to a low bridge and a
cornfield by the river.
StreamTeam Status: Verified
Last Updated: 2005-07-14 15:25:54
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
most of the rapids were bouncy wave trains with holes & pourovers interspersed for fun, some ledges
here and there to mix it up. There were a few strainers lurking, and at this levels some midstream
submerged trees. Most rapids were class II+/III at this level, until the rapid with the undercut
(that runs on the right of an island). The undercut is definitely one to respect, a few of us ran
the rapid without incidence, and a few of us portaged without incidence. This stream is definitely
worth catching when it's up!
bridge gauge at 259/55 put-in read 6 Ft. High water from very large snowmelt and subsequent rain.
Most rapids did not have visible rocks but rather large wave trains and rebounding waves off the
banks -- the river was bankful. The first big rapid ("Ledges" by the AW page) looked quite
difficult but a straight run down the main tongue got all through without incidence. The second big
rapid ("Landslide") had huge waves and moderately sticky hydraulics; it was best run on center
right. Three of us did not run the best line and got flipped bow to stern by the top giant
wave/hole. One party member got sucked back in, flushed, and swam after several failed rolls in
highly turbulent water. Another also swam after failing rolls in the midst of the rapid. All gear
and people were recovered without major incidents. A huge log blocked the river about 3/4 down but
we all passed over it as from upstream it just looked like a big wave; from downstream it was just
above the water level. The low water bridges were all passable without portaging due to the immense
amount of water flowing over them. Very fun overall but definitely class IV.