WV Classic, Part 2: Lower Big Sandy 10/29/06

**MarsB** · 10-31-2006, 02:02 PM

After a storm system rolling in across the Eastern seaboard put the kibosh on my plans to head up north for some late season mt biking at Diablo, my focus quickly turned to local creeking. After a hitting a fun but low run on Daugherty Creek (Class IV), we headed to the mighty Big Sandy - our go-to Class IV+ run located 20 minutes from Morgantown. The upper section is a fun Class III creek with tons of play at higher water. The Lower section is more difficult, a beautiful, nonstop stretch of constant and fun Class IV ledge drops, rock gardens, slots, and other treats - including a clean 15 foot waterfall (Wonder Falls), and a treacherous, technical Class V (Big Splat) that culminates with a nine foot drop landing on a Volkswagen-sized boulder (we opted for the seal launch at that level).

Wonder Falls

Willis cleaning the falls

Random boater launching Splat

MarsB making like a seal

Willis

This is the final boof into a deep foam pile after the last rapid (Class III Second Island). If you hit the hole right, you can sub out a creekboat.

It was a great day, at a fun level. This is one of my favorite runs of all time, and a crown jewel that every boater should try and catch if ever in WV.

**kayaktheworld** · 10-31-2006, 09:04 PM

Very nice, WV is such an awesome state for whitewater...I miss it.

**Conundrum** · 10-31-2006, 11:41 PM

That's really cool. I see you are a Blunt buddy. I used to be one of those. Wish I had it back.

**Buzzworthy** · 11-01-2006, 01:58 PM

Mars,

I used to head to Big Sandy on warm days and dive off some 15 footer or so when water is low. Is that Wonder Falls I used to dive off? If so, it looks VERY different in high water.

Edit:

THAT has to be the one. The little rocky part not getting hit by much water about 60-70% of the way from the left of the picture looks like the launching pad for multiple backflips in the day.

And mt biking down the Big Sandy trail was FUNNNNNN!!!!

Heh, got laid on a nice rock in the middle of the river one year and 2 boaters went by cheering us on.

Looks like a fun time, seen lots of kayaks go over the falls I dove off.

**MarsB** · 11-01-2006, 02:54 PM

That is indeed the one. That was you I was cheering on? Nicely done!

j/k

Buzz, you would be happy to see what they have done down at Jenkinsburg Bridge (Bluehole). All the mud holes have been graded out, all the trash picked up and a gravel lot put in. 100% better than the old days of drunken four-wheelers and gunshots.

**Buzzworthy** · 11-01-2006, 03:19 PM

That is a fun drop! I had many good times at Big Sandy and on the way down. Still get there from exit off Coppers Rock, left across bridge, past Hemlock trail and off on the dirt road under I68 to the right and up the road?

Ah Bluehole, brings back a lot of memories. We used to attach ropes to the bridge and our harnesses, run from one side of the bridge, jump over the rail on the other side and pendulum (with a small freefall and hard pull on the harness) off the bridge. Make a loop at the end of the rope to put a foot in to pull up and unlock biner and dive in, hike up and repeat.

And yes, it was a bit trashy there, glad to hear it is nice now.

My buddy jumped off the bridge and broke about every bone in his foot. I was next and said I have a lot of sand you know where. And I was going to dive.

**MarsB** · 11-01-2006, 03:59 PM

That's the way. We usually head to the takeout at Jenkinsburg first (rt 7 thru Masontown to Bull Run), and then drive the backway up to Rockville (the put-in bridge).

Believe me, I saw plenty of bridge carnage at Jenkinsburg during my raft guiding days. I personally pulled out a guy who collapsed a lung and a chick who bit through her lip from jumping off that thing (separate incidents, but still...). That drop is brutal. Thank god you didn't dive!