The Gauley

The river

The Gauley only runs when the dam releases, and when it runs it's a gauntlet — forty-plus rapids in twenty-six miles.

The beta

length   26 mi
class    IV–V
season   Sep–Oct
gauge    check before you go

How to run it

Hit the fall release weekends. Insignificant, Pillow Rock, and Lost Paddle stack up fast. Scout the class Vs, always.