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Description
Joseph Greiner wrote:
We ran this on 5/4/2002 at 8.4 and falling slowly on the Buckhannon gauge. Cannot believe this stretch does not get more traffic. It's delightful and interesting and scenic and remote.
SHUTTLE. easier than the book says. It is easy to find Sago. We parked upstream of the bridge in Sago about a mile where the road widened and there was a clear place to park. From there we continued upstream and the paved road turned away from the river and went through a coal mine and breaking operation. Continue on this paved road up and up until you come to Big Bend Church on your left. At this point you can turn to the right down a very good looking gravel road (WRONG!!) or you can go straight ahead down what looks like a little traveled dirt road (CORRECTO MUNDO!!). This road starts downhill almost immediately and after about 2-3 miles...you're in Tenmile. The road is fine to travel and unless there is a washout or something, any vehicle can travel it. (We had a Ford Van and later a Plymouth Reliant.) Total time about 15 minutes or less. As of 5/4/2002 we were told by a local to park and put in on River Right upstream of the bridge. According to a resident, this property has been purchased by the state of WV. This property is "Kamp Rippling Waters." (The owners, Neil & Barb, say "Kamp Rippling Waters is privately owned as a 'get-away' cabin but we still allow access to the river. We just ask that the property and river be treated with respect. And if we are there, stop in long enough to say Hi.")
THE RIVER: guidebook has it about right. At the level we ran it at (using Nantahala Falls as reference rapid at class III-), we four thought that about 4-5 rapids deserved a rating (depending on the rapid) from about a class III- to a III+ or maybe IV- ratings. All scoutable and walkable, although none of us walked any. None of them surprised us. The river is approximately pool and drop in character. Don't let the gradient in the guide book of 53 fpm fool you. If one takes out the flat last mile then the gradient goes to about 70-75 fpm and that is about what it felt like. If you like the Upper Meadow at about 6 feet or the Middle Fork at 3.5-4.5, try this one at 7.0-9.0 some day. I predict a pleasant surprise.