OCT: Sat. May 1 Roanoke River Dixie Caverns

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:04 am

Dixie Caverns Wayside Park to Green Hill Park. Plan to meet at the Dixie Caverns Wayside at 11:00 a.m. to unload boats and gear, then set shuttle.

This is a 7 mile, class 1 – 2 stretch. If anyone wants to extend the trip, there are several take outs along the Salem greenway, including Rotary Park which is 5.3 miles below Green Hill Park.

The lower stretches are stocked with trout if anyone wants fish after the trip is over. Also, there is an excellent greenway for walking to stretch your legs before the drive home.

If water levels drop, we may have to switch sections, so check back on Friday.

Post by **GinnyN** » Mon Apr 26, 2021 7:40 pm

I'm thinking about joining you. not sure. I've never done any section of the Roanoke before. What are the access points like? stairs? long carry? I have a vague impression that someone told me something about the access, but I might be confused.

Is this section of the Roanoke in either Corbett's or Ed Grove's book? i'm not seeing it - am i blind?

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:20 am

Ginny,

Access is good, a short carry and a slight slope to the river. It’s a class 1 – 2 stretch and scenic. Not as challenging as the Maury Rockbridge Baths – Copper Road.

The original Corbett (blue cover) doesn’t include this section.

The newer Corbett (brown cover) does:
Roanoke p. 533 Section 1. We take out at Green Hill Park which is just upstream of Rt. 760

Ed Grove’s book doesn’t cover it either.

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:00 am

Raymond - I plan to join you on Saturday. Will be my first trip on the upper Roanoke.

pyoung · Post by **pyoung** » Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:10 am

I'm interested, thanks for organizing.

paddlin_bill · Post by **paddlin_bill** » Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:55 pm

I'll see you there. Thanks for posting it!

Terri · Post by **Terri** » Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:25 pm

I'd like to come too. Terri

Wick · Post by **Wick** » Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:19 am

Thanks for organizing, Raymond. I'd like to join you tomorrow. I'll be at the put-in unless you post changes. Any insights about water level?

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:54 pm

So far the gauge is still showing a level above the AW minimum, and I have run it around this level. The level is remaining fairly steady, but we didn’t get any rain last night, which would have helped.

It will be low and boney in places, so bring your low water river reading skills. If it drops and looks less appealing, we may switch to the section below Green Hill Park, which has a greenway alongside and can be broken into shorter trips.

But we will still meet at the Dixie Caverns Wayside at 11:00 a.m. and then decide.

I’ll post again Saturday morning around 7:30ish to confirm.

pyoung · Post by **pyoung** » Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:11 pm

I have to back out - have a good trip!

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » Sat May 01, 2021 6:37 am

It’s holding at 227 CFS and 2.91 feet on the Glenvar gauge. AW has 200 CFS as the minimum. It’s also at 2.25 feet on the Lafayette gauge. We’ve run it at 1.60 feet on that gauge.

See you at 11 a.m. at the Dixie Caverns Wayside.

dkurt · Post by **dkurt** » Sat May 01, 2021 6:48 am

See you there!