Lehigh Gorge Whitewater

[IndianChris]

Thinking of putting a trip together for this summer at the Lehigh Gorge in Pennsylvania near Jim Thorpe through the Pocono Whitewater Rafting Co.

Anyone ever do this trip before? They say class III but how exciting is it? They don't require helmets and there are no guides in the rafts with you either...you're basically on your own. I'm guessing it's pretty lame.

Thoughts on this trip if you've done it? Thanks.

 

[daxs]

I've never done the trip but I thought they tried to coordinate trips with water releases from a dam upriver. The Lehigh River does not look to be too roaring through that area though

 

[Rick]

I live 1/2 mile off the lower Lehigh in Bethlehem and paddle my 17' necky kayak on that section frequently (above the Delaware confluence, before the final chain dam @ Island Park) and am pretty familiar with the lower section - wider, slower, no rapids - not so bad to handle a long boat.....

As for the upper section, I bicycle along the Lehigh Gorge upper section N of Jim Thorpe on occasion and the water never looked too fierce... Of course there are a lot of kids with tubes and outfitters taking young kids rafting down the river..so I never thought of it anything more serious than a lot of bobbing along...

BTW, Jim Thorpe is a pretty cool town to visit.

 

[Jay H]

I've been to Jim Thorpe once, while still mountain biking, used a shuttle from Blue Mtn Sports to take us to ride some "American Standard" trail that spit you out onto the Lehigh Valley RT which parallels the Lehigh River to get back to BMS... Was fun, remember a lot of rocks, but also was a looooooonnnnggg time ago. (Back when I had a ProFlex (now K2) Beast...)

Might be a fun float, but as you said, probably not that exciting if you are expecting serious whitewater..

Jay

 

[AMF]

I've only done it in canoes & kayaks (and innertubes, back before it was a state park), but for rafting its pretty laid back. Cl II+ for the most, occasional III depending on levels. If you are looking for more challenging rafting, the nearest would probably be the Hudson.

 

[IndianChris]

Thanks guys. I figures as much. Will try to talk the group into something a little more worth it..