We had 15 paddlers join us for our Sunday run on the Kelly’s Ford section of the Rappahannock River. We put in at the Rector Tract Canoe/Kayak Launch in Remington, VA and worked out way down to the Kelly’s Ford Bridge take out. It was a beautiful, but very hot, day with sunny skies and temps in the 90s. The water level was at 3.7 ft, and the discharge was 514 cfs at the time we put in according to the Remington USGS gauge. The group consisted of Jim Long, Andrew Troy, Douglas McDonald, Leo Leonato, Kathleen Sengstock, Lauren Williams, Bob Harford, Dmitry Didenkov, Tim Tilson, Greg Landrigan, Lynne Carpenter, Mark Wray, Danielle Socher, Joseph McKinney, and Dean Hawes (TC).
We launched at about 10:30 AM and convened the group in the eddy just above the first rapid for introductions and a trip briefing. This trip was a PFD for 3 paddlers. We began with a run down the Railroad rapids followed by about 3 miles of flat water, where we had a chance to chat and get to know each other as we floated downriver. At this water level there were a couple of nice riffles that broke up the flat-water paddle. We soon left the flatwater and entered a 1.5-mile rock garden which was not only fun to play in, but absolutely stunning to look at. The rock garden concluded with Sandy Beach rapids, which American Whitewater rates as a II/II+, but I would say it felt more like a Class II at this water level. We then enjoyed lunch on the beach on River right. After lunch, we were playing the Sandy Beach rapid. We concluded the trip with run down Piggly Wiggly (Class II/II+) and some play time on the small ledge just below it.
In terms of statistics, we had 15 happy paddlers, 3 PFDs, 0 out of boat experiences, a few sunburns, and no injuries.
Submitted by
Dean Hawes