Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Playspot WV Class II

"Staircase"

Shenandoah - 3. Millville, WV to Harpers Ferry (Potoma Wayside, VA or Weverton, MD) (WV)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Shenandoah River at Millville, WV Upstream Primary
Runnable: 1.7 – 9.0 FT

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
"Staircase"
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

The sight of the Hwy 340 bridge signals the start of the "Staircase."  Again, the alignment of the ledges and waves encourage river left to right moves and surfing river right to left.  The ledges and rapids continue for more than half a mile.

'Staircase" playspot levels:

Staircase Waves - 2'-as high as it gets[Millville gage] - wave after wave of front surfing, side surfing and play.

'Dragon’s Tongue' - 2-4' [Millville gage] - Towards the end of the Staircase rapid, just downstream of the Upper (WV) US 340 bridge, an offset ledge creates a chute to river left that fans back out river right.  The river right eddy line at this chute is very catchy and schwerly.  The odd shaped wave at the ledge can be surfed.

Location
Type
Playspot
Difficulty
Class II
Mile Marker
4.1 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
3. Millville, WV to Harpers Ferry (Potoma Wayside, VA or Weverton, MD)
Shenandoah
II-III 6.1 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater