Name: Head of the James
Start: 2024-05-30T15:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-06-03T11:00:00-04:00

THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER TRIP

* If you haven't paddled with an Event Leader on significantly moving water, you'll need to demonstrate the skills to join this event. Everyone initially goes onto the waitlist until approved. *Limit of 20 paddlers* \- it fluctuates so put yourself on the waitlist\!
* Ruddering, ferrying, stopping, turning 180 in a boat length, exiting/entering riverside, and wet exit skills in quickly moving current are MINIMUM qualifications.
* Ability to read water is helpful (eddy lines, ledges, underwater obstructions), as are abilities to edge & sideslip.
* **Members only**, subject to change as we get closer to event.

OVERVIEW

* A multi-day trip up on (or near) Upper James River & tributaries

* The feeder rivers require occasional complex maneuvering (many Class I, Several Class II and one Class III).
* This area is very rainfall dependent...so Semper Gumby! River routes will be determined on a daily basis, probably the evening before heading out - but subject to change if a rainstorm hits during the night.
* 11-14 ft plastic boats (skirts highly recommended) & an ability to paddle sustained 3.5 mph (on still water) in order to keep up. This is not a speed run, but when we transit, we need to move along.
* No inflatables, SUPs, belly boards, etc. If you bring a SOT, you must be able to maintain 3.5 mph on still water.
* No pets on the paddles unless approved by an Event Leader.

THE PLAN

* Daily (Fri-Sun) 08:30 meet for 09:00 roll from Douthat WP restroom driveway
* Arrive at your convenience, but recommend a day prior (drive from Charlotte is ≥4 hours)
* Potluck Saturday night, culminating with party games
* Douthat offers many things to do & there are diversions in the nearby towns. Many members have stayed extra in years past.

THE NITTY GRITTY
Thanks to Andy "Happiness Director" Hoxie's excellent trip planning skills and thirst for adventure, we know there is a myriad of rivers/put-ins/take-outs that we may enjoy on this adventure!

***Cowpasture River*** (voted "Best River Ever" by the folks who've paddled this trip almost every year)

* Put-in near Sharon Senior Center: 37.818563, -79.738851
* Shuttle vehicles to Glen Wilton (take out on the James River)
* Paddle \~11 miles
Or...
* Put-in at Griffith Road Ford near the community of Griffith, VA: 37.866601, -79.734325
* Shuttle vehicles to VDWR Robinson access, a.k.a. McKinney Hollow, approx 4600 McKinney Hollow Rd, VA 633, Clifton Forge, VA: 37.792818, -79.759113 (where the old derelict bridge crosses the river, the lunch spot of the trip listed above)
* Paddle \~11 miles

***Jackson River***

* Put in at park near YMCA (37.792569, -79.890468)
* Shuttle vehicles to Glen Wilton (take out on the James River)
* Paddle \~10-13 miles (one low bridge; MANDATORY portage & this is the section of the Jackson with Rainbow Gap rapid)
Or....
* Put in at VDWR Smith Bridge access, 588 North Smith Bridge Rd, Hot Springs, VA: 37.877169, -79.976209
* Shuttle vehicles to Intervale Park access, 1903 Dressler Dr, Covington, VA: 37.817910, -79.987345
* Paddle \~10.5 miles
Or....
* Put in at VDWR Johnson Springs access, 209 Natural Well Rd, Hot Springs, VA: 37.914678, -79.971157
* Shuttle vehicles to VDWR Petticoat Junction access, 194 Mays Lane, Covington, VA: 37.841943, -79.989571
* Paddle \~10.5 miles

***Maury River*** (long shuttle day, 90-100 miles total)

* Put-in at Glen Maury Park
* Shuttle vehicles to take out at Glasgow
* Paddle \~14 miles

***James River*** (TBD if low water situation)

CAMPING

* Douthat State Park. Make your own reservations. THE PARK FILLS UP MONTHS EARLY.
* Recommend booking WHISPERING PINES loop. These are big enough to SHARE (limit 6 people). There are other campgrounds inside Douthat.
* Backup is Buckhorne Country Store & Camping (and ice cream parlor!!)

REGULATORY REQUIREMENT

* Some of our accesses are owned by VA DWR. Event Leaders will determine if permits are needed in 2024, prior to the trip. *You might need a permit to use these.*
* FAQ at https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/access-faq/ Look for the link to app or VADWR website.

OTHER USEFUL INFO

* James River at Iron Gate gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv?site_no=02016500 (600 cfs is ok; more is better)
* Cowpasture River gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?02016000 (≥ 170 cfs needed; 200 cfs is pretty good; 2020 at 450 = NO BONES; 400cfs needed for the Griffith Ford Road put-in)
* Jackson River gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=02013100 (340 cfs is good; 2020 at \~700 made Rainbow gap FUN, but the days prior above 850 made it a Class 3)
* Maury River gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?02024000 (ran \~200(?) cfs in 2019 & it was just do-able... prob a function more of *height* than of flow; 2020 ran \~650 = more Class 2 & NO BONES)

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