Upper Staircase Rapid

Class III

whitewater kayaking through Upper Staircase Rapid on the Lower Gauley River in West Virginia

This rapid is located just downstream of a giant boulder in the center of the river. Most people stay down the left side of this long rapid to avoid a double pour-over hydraulic in the middle of the river towards the bottom of the rapid.

View an Aerial Image of this Rapid

Upper Staircse Rapid at 2800 cfs

Filmed from the left bank, this video describes the features present in Upper Staircase Rapid and includes footage of whitewater rafting and kayaking through the rapid..