We (Bob Maxey, Wes Mills, Miki, & Alf ) were able to break free from horrendous DC traffic & meet Mark B at Moorefield Sheetz simultaneously. Immediately proceeded to the bridge at Upper Tract across the So Br Potomac - decided on the shorter (5 miles) run to Smoke Hole Campground. reason; it was sprinkling, cold, and windy. The gorge here is breathtakingly beautiful, though the season's chill meant that practically none of the trees were in bloom.
Miki & Mark were new to the river - Wes & Alf recalled having done it in the '70s in Grummans. River steaming on strongly - Bob assessed it was at 9" - 391 cfs/3.02 ft (Franklin gauge) Bob took us down several mild rapids to the big one - Landslide Rapid - a ca 4 foot tumble on a right had turn around a large fallen boulder. Bob had us get out on river left and bank-scout the line we wanted to take. There are undercuts on both sides which made this timid author decide against running it. But seeing the lines the others took, he found an even safer line off to the left - and so came out of the foamy run-out just fine. Miki executed a fancy eddy turn which Jim Long would have applauded - in a micro-eddy above the maw of the beast.
The long rapids following this are interspersed with pools - all the way to the concrete LWB just up from the campgrounds. A good workout - but with the wind and cold (50 degrees) continuing, we were happy to get out. Still early in the afternoon, we drove on to Wardensville, where we supped at the Lost River Grill, an establishment long on food but not prompt on service. Two hours later we got up from the table & arrived in DC by 10:00pm.