This section of the New River was part of the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia.  Tree covered mountains surrounded the river at all times making for beautiful scenery but also some fast flowing water and strong rapids thanks to its steep gradient.  Following a hike from Thayer Campground with my packraft I was able to put in at Grandview Sandbar.  Here there was plenty of room to park and put in off a landing, with a restroom and map of this and nearby sections of the New River available as well.

After inflating my packraft and strapping down my backpack I was officially on the water and starting my first river trip of the year.  It was smooth sailing right away, well at least until I came to the first bend in the river and the first labeled class II rapid.  Maybe it was a higher than normal water level at this time of year especially but this first rapid was no joke.  There weren’t big boulders or downed trees to avoid but there sure were some giant waves, like ones I’d expect to encounter on big lakes.  It was a challenge to hit each one head on or if I could to time it and avoid hitting them when they reached their highest point.  But in my stable and quick maneuvering packraft I was well equipped and managed to make it through this first rapid intact and fairly dry.  Two more class II rapids came in the next hour, but weren’t as trying at the first one.  I did have one left though right before my takeout, which was labeled as a class III.  With the first class II fresh in my mind I wondered how this last rapid was going to top that one still.  And it didn’t in my eyes.  It may have been the easiest rapid of the day with waves much more tame.  It did narrow down some with a clear tongue of a route that had some drop to it, passing between some boulders exposed on each side.  But this was done with much ease in comparison.  Maybe at lower levels this rapid steps up in its challenge or technicality more.  Aside from these rapids, the water had a strong current even in the flatter stretches, but remained pretty wide throughout.  The water matched the surrounding leafless trees of the mountains in a light brown tan color, yet had decent clarity.  Houses brought some new colors to the environment and could be spotted in clusters here and there.  People on the other hand were limited to myself on the river and even for what I could see off of it.  Wildlife were just as absent with nothing but small birds spotted in my nearly two hours on the water.  Following the last of the rapids, I spotted my takeout of Thayer Campground off on the right.  There isn’t much of a landing, more like a few open spots that can get muddy, but I managed.

After getting off the water, deflating my packraft, and packing everything away, my time on the New River was over and a successful first go of the year at that.  I look forward to some day coming back in the Summer or Fall to experience these surroundings with new life showing, and getting on another section of this river when the water levels are down some.  The rapids were the biggest challenge but worth the risk and will be in the future to get another taste of this gorge area.