Last year in late August a number of us enjoyed a solar eclipse and paddling in the Smoky Mt. area. The pleasant late summer weather, assured water, and diminished crowds as school starts make for a good time, so I am going back this year, from August 19-25. River runs could include class 2 Tuckaseegee and French Broad Section 10 and class 2/3 Nantahala and French Broad Section 9. If rain comes a trip to the 2+ Lower Nolichucky or Toe Gorge, both of which I caught in May, would be fun.
I reserved a spot at Smoky Mt. Meadows CG 828-488-3672. Another possibility is Scenic View Motel 828-488-3378, on the SMM side of Bryson City.
O.C.T. Smoky Mt. Meadows Aug. 19-25
Moderators: admins, GinnyN, mod1, mod3, Raymond, slo2rol, mod2
Smokies paddling
After a good time at Carolina Canoe Club Week of Rivers I am fired up to get back to the Smokies in August. Of the people who have been in touch about the trip some want to keep it mild and some might want to step it up a little. My idea was a sort of mini-Week of Rivers; if we have enough people to make two different trips. Or alternate with the class 2 and the class 2-3.
Since many Virginians go to CCC WOR one could assume all Coastals know about the famous rivers in the Smokies region, but maybe not. The Smokies is shorthand for the region surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokies have the most rain in the eastern US and the highest elevations in the Appalachian range. To this gift of nature has been added the good work of American Whitewater and Nantahala Outdoor Center to obligate Duke Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority to time summertime releases from their hydroelectric reservoirs with the right quantity for guaranteed good river trips. And this happens when the air is warm and river flow naturally drops.
Tuckaseegee River gets water from no fewer than five Duke dams. The most popular run is the class 2 "Tuck Gorge," five miles long. It is run in rental duckies and inner tubes, but you will enjoy the Tuck more if you have some river knowledge. June 30 I explored the Tuck watershed after a gorge trip, and on the 4th of July six of us ran a class 1 easy 2 section that takes out just above the gorge. It is only three miles long, there are no crowds, and the putin and takeout and shuttle are a cinch. There are a series of straighforward ledges with all the features needed to try out the basic river moves. A lot of beginners get instruction downtream on the "town Tuck," in Bryson City, but this upper Webster to Dillsboro section is better than the town Tuck.
The Nantahala River is a step up from the Tuck. It is 8 miles of fast cold water. It starts with a rush through Patton's Run, not technically difficult, but it is called class 3 because of the continuous gradient and non-stop character. There is also zero warmup as you peel out of the putin eddy. There is an alternate putin below Patton's. Do whatever is fun for you for the next 6 miles. The trip ends at Nantahala Falls, which gives you a great opportunity to watch everyone else's run, get all the advice you care to hear, and decide whether and where to run it.
French Broad River Section 9 is class 2-3. It is harder than the Nantahala. Time to test your water reading and exercise boat control. The French Broad is not dam release but the watershed is large and it is usually navigable, at least the 4 miles to the Stackhouse takeout. Upstream Section 8 has a few little rapids but is not all that interesting. Downstream Section 10 is easier than FB9 but has quite a few ledge rapids and spectacular scenery as you cross the NC/TN line. It is a 9 mile run.
Since many Virginians go to CCC WOR one could assume all Coastals know about the famous rivers in the Smokies region, but maybe not. The Smokies is shorthand for the region surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokies have the most rain in the eastern US and the highest elevations in the Appalachian range. To this gift of nature has been added the good work of American Whitewater and Nantahala Outdoor Center to obligate Duke Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority to time summertime releases from their hydroelectric reservoirs with the right quantity for guaranteed good river trips. And this happens when the air is warm and river flow naturally drops.
Tuckaseegee River gets water from no fewer than five Duke dams. The most popular run is the class 2 "Tuck Gorge," five miles long. It is run in rental duckies and inner tubes, but you will enjoy the Tuck more if you have some river knowledge. June 30 I explored the Tuck watershed after a gorge trip, and on the 4th of July six of us ran a class 1 easy 2 section that takes out just above the gorge. It is only three miles long, there are no crowds, and the putin and takeout and shuttle are a cinch. There are a series of straighforward ledges with all the features needed to try out the basic river moves. A lot of beginners get instruction downtream on the "town Tuck," in Bryson City, but this upper Webster to Dillsboro section is better than the town Tuck.
The Nantahala River is a step up from the Tuck. It is 8 miles of fast cold water. It starts with a rush through Patton's Run, not technically difficult, but it is called class 3 because of the continuous gradient and non-stop character. There is also zero warmup as you peel out of the putin eddy. There is an alternate putin below Patton's. Do whatever is fun for you for the next 6 miles. The trip ends at Nantahala Falls, which gives you a great opportunity to watch everyone else's run, get all the advice you care to hear, and decide whether and where to run it.
French Broad River Section 9 is class 2-3. It is harder than the Nantahala. Time to test your water reading and exercise boat control. The French Broad is not dam release but the watershed is large and it is usually navigable, at least the 4 miles to the Stackhouse takeout. Upstream Section 8 has a few little rapids but is not all that interesting. Downstream Section 10 is easier than FB9 but has quite a few ledge rapids and spectacular scenery as you cross the NC/TN line. It is a 9 mile run.
Smokies paddling
I recall whitewater ace and standup comic Guy Colombini remarking that "Week of Rivers" should be called "Week of Driving." Yeah after driving 450 miles to get to the Smokies now it is two hours one way to get on challenging rivers like the Tellico, Chattooga, Nolichucky, and Ocoee. So take it easy and run the hometown rivers. The Tuck and Nanty are a half hour or less from Bryson or Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground.
Re: Smokies paddling
I remember that “guy”, what a pain in the butt he is!! Thanks for shout out, but I doubt I coined that phrase, I probably just plagiarized itDavid wrote:I recall whitewater ace and standup comic Guy Colombini remarking that "Week of Rivers" should be called "Week of Driving." Yeah after driving 450 miles to get to the Smokies now it is two hours one way to get on challenging rivers like the Tellico, Chattooga, Nolichucky, and Ocoee. So take it easy and run the hometown rivers. The Tuck and Nanty are a half hour or less from Bryson or Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground.
Hope all is going well with you David.
Envelope – Free stationary taken from the Marriott while on a business trip.
Snowflake address label – sent to me free and had to be used up.
Stained glass stamp – It was more then three feet away from me when I decided to get them so you know I didn’t see them clearly
Butterfly and Sunflower stickers on the back – Also free and required because the glue on the envelope was so old it no longer stuck.
--KessmanN
www.cornyouthalliance.org
Snowflake address label – sent to me free and had to be used up.
Stained glass stamp – It was more then three feet away from me when I decided to get them so you know I didn’t see them clearly
Butterfly and Sunflower stickers on the back – Also free and required because the glue on the envelope was so old it no longer stuck.
--KessmanN
www.cornyouthalliance.org
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4cole_man2
- Shuttle Bunny
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Potential trip from Arkansas
A couple of us are thinking about making a trip out from Arkansas during that week and staying at SMMC. Looking for some class 2-3+ to try out the Antix. Never paddled outside of AR or OK so I'm pretty excited. We may try to join you for a few runs. Lance
O.C.T. Smoky Mt. Meadows Aug. 19-25
Hi David, we will be there to join the group on Thursday-Sunday.
Charlie & Betty OC2
Charlie & Betty OC2