| Class Rating: |
Action-Packed Class III and V
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Click Here to See a Chart of All Rapid Ratings |
| Offered: |
May - August |
| Boat: |
Raft size is determined by the water levels. See info below |
Click Here to See a Chart With All the Boats |
| Minimum Age*: |
15 years old
*For your safety, ACE reserves the right to change age requirement if unusual water
levels occur. |
| Put-In and Take-Out: |
In - Summersville Dam (may change with fluctuating water levels)
Out - Mason's Branch |
Click Here to See a Map of the Gauley River |
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| Length: |
9 miles. One the water 5 - 5 1/2 hours. The entire trip is around 7 -7 1/2 hours, including shuttle and lunch. |
| Number of Rapids: |
32 Class II and V |
| Lunch: |
Deli-Variety of cold cuts and cheeses for sandwiches, PB & J, assorted salads (pasta, seafood, potato), baked beans, chips & salsa, veggies & dip, trail mix, fresh fruit, cookies & desserts. Drinks may include water and lemonade. There are no restroom facilities alongside the river. |
| The Season: |
The Upper Gauley has runnable flows 95% of the year. The summer releases are usually at a reduced level because the Army Corps releases the same flow that is coming into the lake. Lower summer levels make the drops steeper, more technical and often times more challenging. We use the smallest high performance boats that weather conditions allow. Fall Draw Down brings the biggest levels of the year and attracts people from all over the world to challenge the world-class whitewater of the Gauley River. |
| Trip Format: |
You'll run the very same rapids that make the Fall Gauley Dam Release so special...Sweets Falls, Lost Paddle, Pillow Rock and all the rest are even steeper and rockier at lower summertime flows. Summer water flows determine our boats...60% of the time, we're in high-performance rafts, 40% of the time we're in our quick, inflatable kayaks. Class III-V rapids. This trip is awesome!
Here’s how it works…At 8 am on the day of the trip, we call the Army Corps of Engineers to get the day’s release info so we can determine the boat size we will use for the day’s trips. Based on 20 years of data, these are the average flows on the Gauley River.
April – The Corp is usually not releasing so they may bring the lake to summer pool.
May – 2200 cfs (cubic feet per second)
June – 1900 cfs
July – 1050 cfs
August – 950 cfs
World Famous Fall Release is usually 2500-2800 cfs.
Use this chart to determine what size boat will be used on the summer Upper Gauley
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River Level
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Boat Size
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2000 - 4000 cfs*
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14' - 7 people
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600 - 1990 cfs
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12' - 5 people
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200 - 590 cfs
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Inflatable kayaks
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< 200 cfs
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Transfer to New River
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| * Cubic Feet per Second |
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| What to Wear and Bring: |
May - August
Swimsuit, t-shirt, ball cap
Old Sneakers or river shoes
Towel, dry set of clothes
Sunscreen, glasses strap
Gauley water comes from the bottom of the dam and is rather cold, even on hot summer days we recommend a sleeveless wetsuit and a windbreaker. These are available for rent at ACE.
More Information... |
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What to Expect
Trip Itinerary:
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- Arrive at ACE, check-in with your Trip Leader and fill out release forms for the trip(s) you are on (anyone under 17 years old must bring a waiver signed by both parents Click Here for Downloads Page ).
- Change into your river wear, a guide will issue a PFD (personal floatation device) and helmet, then load up and head for the river.
- The bus ride to the put-in is approximate 45 minutes to put-in depending on water levels.
- On route, or at put-in, your trip leader and guide deliver a safety talk covering the fundamentals of rafting and proper use of river equipment, and precautions.
- At the put-in the trip leader will then make the guide/guest assignments. There will be a guide in every raft. The guests and guides then go through their introductions. Each guide will then take over with more specific details for the group. Basic strokes, paddling techniques, and guide commands are demonstrated and practiced by the group before heading down river. Guests riding in duckies will be taught how to paddle and maneuver the duck.
- Enjoy our deli-style lunch part way down the river. There are no restroom facilities alongside the river.
- At the take-out point, the gear is loaded onto our vehicles and we head back to ACE while enjoying a complimentary beverage. Approximate 30 minute bus ride back to ACE.
- Back at ACE enjoy a hot shower, shop at our Outfitter’s Store, check out our various lake & resort amenities, and dine at our Lakeside Dining Hall or the Lost Paddle Lounge - all located at ACE's 1400 acre Adventure Center.
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Tips for Group Organizer:
Click Here to Download a Group Organizer Kit
(This is a large file!) |
- Plan Ahead
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- Get your group together EARLY! Spread the word and schedule a planning/preliminary meeting
- Do your homework. Be familiar with the trips, lodging, and meal options
- Call to check availability of any trips and lodging you are considering
- Become familiar with our reservation/cancellation policies and age/height limits
- Direct participants to the printed material, our website at www.AceRaft.com or give us a call at
800-SURF-WVA (787-3982).
- Make a Group Plan
- Decide what trip and time is right for your group
- Decide on lodging options
- Decide on meal options
- Get a head count of all participants - Use the Trip Planner (in the group organizer kit) to gather names and contact information
- Set a FIRM payment schedule with your participants - Make participants aware of the payment schedule and FOLLOW IT!
- Use the Trip Planner to keep track of deposits and payments
- Use the Trip Schedule Calendar (in the group organizer kit) to keep track of when payment are due
- Get Started With ACE
- Make your reservation
- Call 800-SURF-WVA (787-3982) and speak with one of our friendly reservationists
- Collect your deposit money.
- Due 10 days after the initial reservation is made with ACE
- If you reservation is made less than 30 days from your arrival/trip date, full payment is due at time reservation is made
- Review your confirmation and invoice
- Use your Trip Schedule Calendar to make notes of when and what your group is doing while at ACE
- Request any waiver forms needed for minors (a copy of each is in the back of the group organizer kit or Click Here for a List of Downloads )
- All minors not accompanied by a parent or guardian are required to have a waiver form signed by both parents before participating in any activity! NO EXCEPTIONS!)
- Send your balance payment
- Due 30 days before before your scheduled trip or arrival date
- Pre-Arrival Planning
- Get a final head count of all participants
- Copy material that each may need
- Get any maps, directions, etc. your participants may need
- Make sure each participant knows what they have booked and what is included
- Give them a copy of the packing list (in the group organizer kit or Click Here to Download )
- Give them the Check-In and Arrival Times
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| Download Maps: |
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| Download Waiver Forms: |
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| Download a Menu: |
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Download a
Confirmation Booklet: |
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