Maybe Posted by: waterbearer on Jan-16-13 11:52 AM (EST)
Depends upon your skill level. Have little personal info about Berryville and further downstream. However, there is, or was, a dam on the Shennandoah maybe 4 miles upstream of Harpers Ferry. That will be a portage. Below the dam you'll encounter whitewater - big rapid is called Bull Falls. If you haven't run it before - highly recommend scouting it - depending upon levels there are multiple options. Below Bull Falls, a lot of swift running water thru the "Staircase". At low levels can be some dragging, at high levels - lots of action. After the confluence with the Potomac, the flow moves to the Maryland, or left, side of the river. Perhaps 1/2 mile below the confluence you'll encounter White Horse rapid - a big drop here. Both Bull Falls and White Horse are considered Class III - some may say Class II - but they are most likely K-1 paddlers. I'd stay abreast of river levels. I've overnighted the Shennandoah above Bull Falls to Mouth of the Monacacy several times - but always at moderate levels. You would NOT want to have a spill at Bull Falls - unless you recover your boat quickly it will be a looong brusing ride on the quick running river over sharp edged ledges. At high levels Bull Falls to below White Horse could be considered hazardous in a loaded canoe. If you do it - got to provide a trip report.