What does a typical run on the Gauley River include?

LANSING, WV (WVNS) — The 2024 Gauley Season is set to begin and rafters from across the country will be clamoring for a spot on a raft.

The Gauley has two typical runs that rafters can book. One is on the upper Gauley and one on the lower. Rafters can also usually be booked as a marathon run where rafters will run the entire 26 miles of the river.

What does a typical run on the Gauley entail?

Skip Heater, owner and operator of New & Gauley River Adventures , gave some insight.

“Oh, gosh, it’s 2,800 CFS of heart-pounding, mind-blowing action all the way down through there, and the lower Gauley’s a little bit, you know, tame, compared to the upper Gauley. You’ll have more time to take a chance, look around, and catch your breath on the lower more so than you will on the upper,” said Heater.

CFS refers to cubic feet per second which is how fast the water will be moving you downriver.

The upper Gauley includes class III, IV, and V rapids, and is recommended for experienced rafters ages 16 and older. The lower Gauley has class III and IV rapids, but no experience is required to make the run. It is recommended for ages 12 and older.

Gauley Season begins Friday, September 6, 2024.

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