O.C.T New River Rendezvous over Labor Day weekend

[Savanna K]

The annual New River Rendezvous over Labor Day weekend is coming up! Friday (August 30) and Saturday (August 31) we will meet at Ray's Campground at ten a.m at the picnic tables behind the office. We'll meet at nine a.m. on Sunday (Sept 1) and Monday (Sept 2). If you are driving there on Friday or Saturday morning then try to allow time to at least throw camping gear out of the car so you'll be useful for shuttles.

This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers. If you’ve never been in a boat before then you aren’t ready. At ordinary water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly while the gorge offers more difficult rapids. With rain other options open up.

Where? Ray’s is in Hico (pronounced HIGHcoh) near the intersection of routes 60 and 19 which is about five miles north of where the New goes under route 19. Head west very briefly on 60 and turn right on Sunday Road. Sunday Road is narrow so take it easy. Ray’s is about a mile on the left. 304-658-4386. There are reservable and non-reservable tent sites. There are still a few reservable sites left as of posting this but they will probably go quickly with the holiday weekend. At last count it was $11 per person per night. Electric sites are $9 extra. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours.

In past years they have accepted cash, check, and all major credit cards. They also recently started accepting Venmo though the service can sometimes be spoty. I’ll guess they prefer cash so bring some bills.

GPS user note, GPS directions will NOT take you to the put ins or take outs. Please look at a map and/or follow people who know the way. GPS may or may not accurately take you to the campground. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out. It can go a bit bonkers out there. In recent years phone coverage in camp has been at least good enough to check river levels.

I’ll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, and Carolina Canoe Club. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs if you wish.

I also want to thank Ken Dubel for running this event for the last 23 years. It's always been a trip I look forward to every year, and I know many others' do as well. And also thank you for letting me copy your verbiage!

SYOTR,
Savanna Klein

[paddlin_bill]

Yay! Looking forward to it.

[Terri]

Thank you Savanna and Ken! I'm looking forward to coming again this year. Terri

[yakmacc]

We will be there
We will plan to paddle Sat & Sun - arriving too late on Friday to join the trips for the day so we will probably find a bike route to explore later in the day.
Thanks so much to all who plan this and looking forward to meeting some new folks.

[GinnyN]

Jennifer, I'm not sure what kind of biking y'all do - mountain biking or rail trails?
The Meadow River Trail https://meadowriverrailtrail.com/ is 3 miles off of rt 60, 15 miles east of the campground at Hico and may interest you.

Ginny

[Metzbower]

I'm unlikely to be up for the weekend.

[paddlin_bill]

In the past we've coordinated the trips from the pavillion. And there's not an official dinner because different trips get back later due to the long shuttle trips. Some eat in camp, some due take out or eat out.

This is all based on the past, but we have a new event coordinator in Savanna this year. There may be new ideas? Not trying to advocate for anything.

[Savanna K]

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

And yes, Bill’s beta is correct. We are meeting at the pavilion at the given times to coordinate trips. And due to the large variety of trips no official potluck is planned for Saturday.

[John and Linda VanLuik]

I plan to be there
John

[stephanieb]

Looking forward to paddling Fri. and Sat.
See ya at Ray's, Stephanie

[GeorgeMichie]

Thank you organizers past and present! I'll be there Saturday and Sunday.

[PaddleBear]

My son, William and I are coming - we have cabin at Rays. See you there

[scrunge]

I'm doing the glade creek section Tomorrow, meeting at the takeout 11:45. If anybody wants to join let me know!
Unless there is a significant change in water levels and something else opens up, I plan to lead MEADOW creek to Glade creek on Monday.

[GinnyN]

Pete, that's interesting to do Meadow Creek to Glade Creek on Monday - so just a little over 6 miles on the water - right? but a pretty dang long shuttle. The advantage of doing the Glade Creek section on monday is the short river section combined with a short shuttle is doable on the way home.

Barb and I are planning on biking some on the southern end of the Greenbriar Trail tomorrow (Saturday). Then we'll see ya'll in the campground. And we are talking of biking the Meadow River Trail on Sunday and checking out Babcock State Park. If anybody wants to join just holler out!

I think on Monday I'd like to stick with the Glade Creek section of the New - hope there will be a group going there.

[marvachun]

I’d be interested in Glade Creek on Monday.
Marva