Upper Gauley
Bubble Rock
INFORMATION
RAPID NAME: Bubble Rock
RAPID RATING: Class III
RIVER SECTION: Upper Gauley
Bubble Rock Rapid is named for the smooth, round boulder on the right side of the river that is barely pouring over at Autumn release levels (2800 cfs). There is a four-foot drop directly behind it, and if you paddle real hard at it you can ramp your kayak off of the top and get some air time.
The bubble rock can be accessed by entering on the right. There are also routes through the center of the rapid, or you can take your chances on the left in the Tunnel of Love however be careful not to pin in the entrance of the slot.
View Aerial Images of Bubble Rock Rapid
Tunnel of Love at 650 cfs
Low water footage of Bubble Rock Rapid. Video includes a description of the features present in the Tunnel of Love, a tight and technical left hand channel through the rapid.
SELECT A RAPID BELOW
- Entrance
- Initiation
- Little Z
- Upper Collison Creek
- Lower Collison Creek
- Geek Wave
- Slant Rock
- Bud’s Boner
- Insignificant
- Screaming S-Turn
- Pick a Slot
- Iron Curtain
- Pillow Rock (V)
- Scales
- Bubble Rock
- Hungry Mother
- Meadow View
- First Drop of Lost Paddle
- Second Drop of Lost Paddle (V)
- Fourth Drop (AKA Tumblehome)
- Conestoga
- Shipwreck Rock
- Iron Ring
- Keegan’s Falls
- Double Dilemma
- Fingernail Rock
- Sweet’s Falls
- Thumper
- Nemesis
- Gillespie’s Hole
- Chicken Ender