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On 1,500 acres in West Virginia's southern hills, ACE Adventure Resort (http://aceraft.com/) delivers a mountain of autumn adventure on and off the water during Gauley Season (Sept. 11-Oct. 18), marking the annual return of world-class rafting on one of the wildest late-flowing rafting rivers in the country.
And always true to its West Virginia roots, ACE Adventure Resort adds an extra splash this year to kick-off the season. A Sept. 12, 2015, Party in the Holler concert promises to deliver foot-stomping fun with The Wood Brothers, The Steeldrivers, The Josh Daniels/Mark Schimick Project and BlacKingCoal, all performing Saturday on the resort's Wonderland Mountain Stage. Concert tickets are $40; an All-Mountain Pass at $69 buys the concert, camping Friday and Saturday nights, a pass to enjoy activities on ACE Adventure Lake, and parking. Guests may also add a Gauley whitewater rafting trip with lunch for $239 (exclusive of lake pass). See: http://aceraft.com/products/party-in-the-holler-concert
The Gauley that runs through the heart of West Virginia's mountains is considered to be one of the most exciting stretches of commercially runnable whitewater in the world. To whitewater enthusiasts, it's a "must do!" The catch is, one can only raft its most challenging whitewater in the fall. From the Friday after Labor Day until mid-October, the Army Corps of Engineers on weekends releases water from the Summersville Dam at a rate of 2,800 cubic feet per second. As it rushes downriver, the flow creates huge waves, runnable waterfalls, eddies and holes that provide all the thrills a rafter could wish for.
ACE's signature Fall Upper Gauley - All Day is the resort's most sought-after river rafting trip come fall. Rates vary by day of the week and the boat size, but start at $99 per person. Participants (minimum age 18) must have strong swimming skills and be in good physical condition to tackle this 12-mile adventure on a straight-up, world-class section of Class III-V+ Gauley whitewater, including a 14-foot waterfall. The rate includes the services of Gauley guides with the river skills, knowledge and passion for big waves, and a riverside lunch at Sweet's Falls, ACE's private lunch site that offers vegetarian options upon request. Guests have a choice of rafts: a 12-foot boat for four, a 14' foot boat for six or a 16' boat for eight.
Fall Gauley Marathon - All Day takes thrill seekers on the Upper and Lower Gauley on a 23-mile trip into and over 70 named rapids. This guided program with riverside lunch is from $199 per person.
ACE's popular 2 Day Fall Classic - Gauley River Overnight Rafting adventure promises continuous, pounding whitewater for two days, interspersed with stories around the campfire at the end of Day 1 that brings adventurers into Class III-V+ rapids on the Upper Gauley River and on Day 2 through the roller coaster waves -- Class III-V rapids -- of the Lower Gauley River. The trips combined total 23 miles. Included are two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast, guide services, tents and sleeping pads. The rate starts at $319 per person.
About Gauley River: Administered by the National Park System, this river has been designated a National Recreation Area for its beauty and challenging rapids targeting thrill-seeking adventurers worldwide. The river is 105 miles long and its rapids range from Class II to Class V+. The most notable of these are called the "Big Five" rapids, all Class V; Insignificant, Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle, Iron Ring, and Sweet's Falls - each one intimidating and powerful. Peak season is from (summer) April to August and (fall) September through October. The ultimate season is the fall, although the Gauley does run all summer long usually at lower flows. ACE pioneered the Summer Gauley program that takes guests down the river in inflatable kayaks during milder summer flows. See: http://aceraft.com/collections/whitewater-rafting/Gauley-River
Rated the #1 Adventure Outfitter in West Virginia, ACE Adventure Resort offers whitewater rafting along with a variety of supported adventures such as zip lining, mountain biking, disc golf, stand up paddle boarding and rock climbing. The adjacent 70,000-acre New River Gorge National River is an option for miles of wilderness exploring afoot and on horseback or fat tire bike.
