New, West Virginia, US
|
|
12. McCreery to Thurmond (Upper New)
| Usual Difficulty |
II-III (for normal flows) |
| Length |
15 Miles |
Photo#5545
Photo by Bob Anderson
Gauge Information
River Description
The National Park Service calls Silo Rapids class 3. Ledges is also a class 3.
NPS Guide to paddling the New River
NPS map of the New & Gauley Rivers
This is a great mild whitewater run. For instance, it's a good run for those who don't feel up to
either the
Upper or
Lower Gauley at fall
release levels. All rapids are straightforward and are easily boat-scoutable. The few mild holes
and hazards can all be avoided by staying river center. There is supposedly an undercut rock on the
river-right bank at the bottom of Silo rapid.
There is a great side excursion about halfway into the run. Dowdy Ck enters on river right through
a tunnel and there is waterfall you can walk up to and underneath (
picture of waterfall). Commercial
trips often stop here to eat lunch on river left and afterwards take their guests to the waterfall
across the river.
Posted by UncleFuzzy to BoaterTalk:
McCreery to Stone Cliff (most paddlers take out at Stone Cliff for an 11.1-mile
float, not at Thurmond for a 15-miler)
Cross to the river-right side on Route 41 and turn left onto CR-25, then follow it all the way to
Stone Cliff.
Or take Route 41 south (toward Beckley) and then go right on Route 61. When you get to Glen Jean,
find CR-25 and take it down to Thurmond.
When you get to Thurmond, CR-25 will turn right and follow the New upstream to Stone Cliff.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2004-08-05 01:30:48
Dowdy Ck Falls
User Comments
pry in the stroke mix Edit
names used by most outfitters, but some have multiple. If you know them by other names, feel free
to ad to this list. Rapid Name- Class. Entrance Rapid- 2+ Photo Rapid- 2+ (photos taken on left)
Army Camp beach on Right Ripple 1- 1 Ripple 2- 1 Zipity Do-Da- 2+ Duckie Muncher- 2+/3 381- 2+
(Named for the long gone railroad mile markers) 382- 2+/3 (Dowdy Creek tunnel on Right) Little
Ripple- 1 The Ledges- 2+/3 Thayer Pool- about 1.6 miles long Silo- 3/3+ Metel Chunk- 2+ Clairmont
Ripple- 2/2+ No Name Rapid- 2+ Upper Sandstone Rapid- 2+ Sandstone Rapid- 2 Sandstone Take-Out-
River Left
year-olds down this section and they have fared just fine. I don't want anyone to think that they
can't do this section from being scared. After reading your water, you should just stay away from a
hole that looks bigger than your skill level and enjoy a perfect scenic float trip!
previous boaters. The type of boat can make or break a day here. I actually started paddling on the
Mcreery to Thurmond section in a kayak. My take on the Upper New is that it can be a good beginner
run if you are in a kayak or IK. A roll is nice but as long as you can wet exit you will be fine.
An open canoe, especially with no floatation could lead to a bad day. As far as holes go, low water
levels are the worst for sticky ones. A good level (In my opinion is 7ft on the thurmond gauge)just
big waves at this level and the rapids all end in deep pools, so if you swim you have plenty of
time to collect your stuff. S. Sage Edit
difficult with a strong keeper hydrallic and a ledge of at least 3'. At certain levels it is
considered to be a class III+. I did it in an OC1 as a novice and it was a long swim with eye
poping results. Dave B. Edit
kayaking (easy) and in a tandem boat (not easy). At moderate levels the waves in silo are easily 4
feet, and will swamp an open canoe quickly. On a cool day without wetsuits, this could be bad news.
I do not feel that this is a river for beginners. Beginners in duckies with an outfitter/guide,
sure! First time family canoeists with a 6 year old in between the thwarts- no way. Beginner is
class I and II. This is a POWERFUL river that will make for a very very hard day, perhaps with
injury or worse, for beginners. Try the Greenbrier, New above the Bluestone Dam, or other local
rivers if it is a new sport to you. Edit
GPS to check distances).
Date: May 30 2003, 2:38 GMT<br>
From: unclefuzzy<br>
<br>
McCreery to Stonecliff<br>
Cross to the river right side on Route 41 and turn left onto CR-25, then follow it all the way to
Stonecliff.<br>
<br>
Or take Route 41 south (toward Beckley) and then go right on Route 61. When you get to Glen Jean
find CR-25 and take it down to Thurmond. When you get to Thurmond CR-25 will turn right and follow
the New upstream to StoneCliff.<br>
<br>
Meadow Creek to McCreery<br>
<br>
From I-64 take exit 138 and follow CR-7 to Meadow Creek. To get to McCreery from there you can go
back to I-64, take it to exit 124 (East Beckley). Then go right and the road you are on will join
with Business Route 19 (Eisenhower Drive). Take that road to US 41 and turn right on US 41 to go
down to McCreery.<br>
<br>
Another way to get to McCreery from Meadow Creek it to stay on river right. Take CR7-1 from Meadow
Creek thru Claypool. When you get to Rt 20 turn left and and go a short distance to CR-31. Turn
left onto CR-31 and take it to Route 41 (going thru Danese on your way). When you get to Route 41
turn left and drive down to the New. Croos the New and you are at McCreery.<br>
<br>
<br>