Bullpasture, Virginia, US

Public Fishing Access (Rt. 678) to Cowpasture River (Bullpasture Gorge)

Usual Difficulty	III+(IV) (for normal flows)
Length	4 Miles
Avg. Gradient	45 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
BULLPASTURE RIVER AT WILLIAMSVILLE, VA
usgs-02015700	285 - 10000 cfs	III+(IV)	21h13m	113 cfs (rc= -0.0 )

River Description

The gorge is a very fun section, good for intermediates or someone who just enjoys class III fun in a scenic gorge. The rapids become more difficult the further into the gorge you get so it gives those who are stepping up to class III runs a chance to warm up. It's a step down from the Goshen Pass section of the Maury (a near by run) but it remains fun, fairly busy and runs pretty often.

Map (I hope, let me know if it stops working): Click

Putin:
The putin is located at public fishing access just off Rt. 678 northwest of Williamsville. Heading north on 678 from Williamsville look for Mill run (a small creek) to pass under the road after you leave the gorge. Just after the creek (within 50 yards or so) look to the right and the road to the fishing access should be seen (there's no sign as of this writing). If you get to where the river is road side you've gone too far.

Takeout:
Most people take out at the Rt. 614 bridge, there's a small parking lot there off Rt. 678 next to the bridge. It's possible to continue down from here to the confluence with the Cowpasture. There's a swinging bridge there with a parking lot (go down Rt. 628 to get to the swinging bridge).

Access:
Generally the access hasn't been a problem the river is heavily used by trout fishermen who use all of the above access points to wade up and down the river. It is however a good idea to always be careful and not to do anything that would anger any residents. I know that the cowpasture has had it's access problems north of the confluence with the Bullpasture so like most any Virginia river be careful or risk access.

I'm waiting for the next rains to bring up the water so I can add some pictures and attach the rapid descriptions to them.