The Smith River is a class 2 run with one rapid (Eggleston Falls) that AW calls a moderate Class III rapid that drops 5-6 feet overall. It’s straightforward and easier than the Balcony Falls rapid on the James.
Arrive at the Festival area by 10:00 a.m. to unload your boat and gear at the putin at the Smith River Sports Complex.
After that, you will need to park somewhere in the Festival parking area and walk back (or ride a free shuttle) to the putin,.
We will paddle to the Mitchell Bridge takeout. This should take about 3 hours, and the festival provides a free shuttle. There is a shorter take out at Marrowbone Creek with a shuttle provided there as well.
This is part of the Smith River Festival which runs from 9 a.m – 4 p.m., so you may want to arrive early to explore some of the exhibits. The festival is free, but they will have vendors selling food, beverages, and other items.
The links below tell more about the Festival and the access points.
Hello Raymond,
Checking in with you to see what the current trip status is (sill on?, enough water?, number of boaters?, etc.)and let you know I'd like to participate.
I'd like to join you on your trip. I'll be bringing my grandson. He'll paddle ducky and I'll paddle canoe. I'm assuming there will be dam release for the event -- true? Looking forward to it.
No, it is not cold like the section below Philpott. The release brings the level up, but doesn't create the same push as Philpott down, and the water is a typical summer river temperature.
I plan to join you. I take it the crowds for the Fest will not be so huge that we will have trouble finding each other at the start of the day. If all else fails, I know Lee and Barb, so I will look for them.
"If you're not a liberal at twenty, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative at forty, you have no brain."
Winston Churchill
Looks as if we have a good sized group. I'll be at the put in by 10:00 a.m. The put in area is small and easy to find. I'll have my old Pyranha Acrobat.
Someone called and left a message, but I couldn't make out the phone number, so if you're checking the boards, you're welcome to join us.
