Fike Run and Little Sandy Creek (Fayette County)

A. Five Forks to Gibbon Glade                      4.5 miles

Class           Grad                    Size (Area/Volume)                  Scene/Poll             Level

     V           93/180                      Tiny (28/47)                           A/A
                                                       Gibbon Glade                                            Rockville

Topographic Maps: Brandonville

County Maps: Fayette

Description: The first 1.4 miles are flat, quite pretty with overgrown banks (so overgrown that it is sometimes necessary to part the brush with a paddle to pass through). The stream is frequently no more than 20 to 25 feet wide, hardly ever more than 50 feet wide. Fallen trees frequently create log and brush dams; sometimes you can slide over them while still in the boat, but you must often carry around them. After this 1.4 miles the creek starts to drop 100 feet in the 0.6 mile until Fike Run joins Little Sandy Creek. Two drops in this section are not runnable: some water can get through, but a boat cannot. Although the shore is heavily overgrown with mountain laurel, it is advisable to scout all drops either from the boat or on foot every time down to be sure they are clear. In the next 0.3 mile, the creek drops another 60 feet, then levels off for a 0.2 miles before another side stream comes in from the right and the creek starts dropping again -- another 200 feet in the remaining 2 miles to the take-out. While some of the drops are quite steep (20 feet within 50 at one point), the routes are relatively clear of logs and easy to see. When the first of three bridges crosses the creek, "civilization" in the form of houses begins to intrude. The routes in these drops require very fast and sharp turns, one after another. This is a very busy, tight creek. [Reported 1994]

Difficulties: Trees down can completely block the creek some with 1 to 1-1/2 foot broken spikes. The steep section on Fike Run contains two impassable drops.

Shuttle: The route to the put-in goes past the take-out. The creek is reached by turning off State Route 381 on State Route 2005 to Gibbon Glade. A good take-out is about 100 yards before the first bridge over the creek. To get to the put-in, continue through Gibbon Glade (no signs). State Route 2005 will change to State Route 2007. At the Canaan Church (of the Brethren of Gibbon Glade) bear left onto State Route 2006. In Five Forks bear left/north onto State Route 2011. You cross the creek about 0.5 miles past Five Forks. About 400 yards past the bridge, a dirt road comes in from the right, offering a good place to park and change. There is an alternate put-in that avoids the 1.4 miles of flatwater in exchange for a 0.25 mile drag down a grassy hill. Head east from Canaan Church and turn left on Maust Road. Park at the locked gate for the State Forest Land. Be sure not to block the entrance. From here it is a drag down a grassy hill to the river.

Gauges: Rockville. A good run was had at a reading of 8.6 feet. At the take-out is a large (11 feet X 5 feet) flat rock on river right just upstream of the bridge. A low level would be indicated by water barely flowing over the center depression. The creek gets very pushy and the pools start to disappear when there is just the beginning of a surfable wave below the flat rock.

Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.

B. Gibbon Glade                                             4.0 miles
to State Route 381 WVa

Class           Grad                    Size (Area/Volume)                  Scene/Pol              Level

    III           30/120                            Tiny(/)                                A/A                          

                                                                                                                              Rockville

Topographic Maps: Brandonville

County Maps: Fayette

Description: Beginning at the upper bridge in Gibbon Glade, the water is fast easy to read Class III for the first 1.5 miles. Then the creek flattens out to Class I. It is a pretty mountain stream, remote among the laurel and hemlocks of a small valley. [Reported 1994]

Difficulties: none

Shuttle: From State Route 2005 in Gibbon Glade, go west to State Route 381 and turn left. The take-out is the first bridge in West Virginia. If you use topo maps, there is a shorter route over unimproved roads.

Gauges: Rockville. The creek at the take-out is fast moving and rocky; check there to see if there's enough water.

Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.