The Upper Yough Friendsville, MD
Class IV-V Whitewater
The 2010 season will be here soon!
Only 30 minutes from Ohiopyle, PA and 15 minutes from Deep Creek, MD)
Join us April 17th for the first release of the 2009 season!
Book your trip today
800-272-4141
Are you ready for one of the crown jewels of East Coast whitewater?
The Upper Youghiogheny Class 5 river is truly a classic. Tumbling down through the mountains of Western Maryland, this trip is more like running a steep creek than running a river. Fast paced and action packed you have to be on your toes, ready to paddle hard and precisely following the commands of your expert guide! Your day will begin at the town park in Friendsville, Maryland.
There you will get suited up and receive your initial safety talk. Once in your gear and properly warned about your future endeavor, you head for the put-in. There you will meet your raft guide, climb into a raft and put on the water! YAHHOO!! The fun begins....The first two miles of the Upper Yough is deceivingly calm and tranquil. Enjoy it! Soon you'll be dropping into Gap Falls & your adrenal glands will start working over time. You will pick your way down through Class IV rock ledges and tight slots making your way to the pool above Bastard Falls. This is where it gets interesting.
Four Class 5 rapids back to back falling a ridiculous hundred and twenty feet per mile. Steep drops, big munchy holes, tight chutes, and powerful wave trains characterize this section of the river. When you pause in the pool below National Falls and gaze back upstream, it will dawn on you that this is what real whitewater is all about. This is just the beginning to your Class 5 day. You still have the likes of Heintzerling Falls and Meat Cleaver to deal with, not to mention Powerful Popper, Lost and Found, and the Rockies 1 through 4.
Due to the incredibly tight and technical nature of this section of the Youghiogheny, an immense amount of precision is needed to raft down the river. River guides that are on the Upper Youghiogheny have been rafting on average 5 years By the last rapid you will have had your fill, and you can feel free to relax through the remaining calm water. Once back on land we will load up our gear and head back to the outpost, where you can get changed and then dig in to our lunch fresh from the Falls City Restaurant and Pub, washing it back with a nice cold beverage.
Now all you have to do is enjoy a beautiful Appalachian evening and swap river stories till it’s time to hit the road. As far as booking a trip goes, The Upper Yough has a dam release on every Monday and Friday, plus the first Saturday of every month beginning in April and ending in October. The Saturday trips are especially sought after, so book in advance. But the Monday and Friday trips are less crowded, so instead of seeing a boat in every pool, you see the nature that you came to enjoy.You can check the Upper Yough release schedule by clicking here, Click here for pricing or call us at 800-272-4141 to book your trip!
It is highly recommended for the Upper Yough. Class V means a lot of action and there is always the risk of swimming. We suggest trying your skills on the Lower Yough first, then venturing to the Upper?
What should I wear?Shoes that will stay on your feet and from there it is weather dependent. During the hot summer days, you will be ok in shorts and a t-shirt (quick dry, non-cotton). On the chillier days, dress like you would to go skiing. Put on the wool, fleece or synthetic layers and keep the cotton home in the drawers. We do rent wet suits for $10 on the colder days. BRING A DRY CHANGE OF CLOTHES!
Is there a place to change at check in?Yes, there is a changing room and restrooms as well.
Are photos takenYou bet!
How many people in a raft?There are 3 guests and a guide and absolutely no more. We are sorry if you are a group of 4, you will be divided. If you are a group of 2, there is the chance you might be split up, although we do our best to prevent that. No matter what though - you'll have a blast!