This spring has been incredible here in the southeast. It seems that the drought has turned and the rains are keeping the creeks and rivers of the Chattanooga area overflowing. The past couple of weeks have been some of the best
kayaking of my life. Spring rains have allowed me to
conquer several missions that I have been eyeing for a while. I have visited many new gorges and
revisited many familiar gorges that I have grown to love. Some of the new places I have visited include: Allen Creek, Falling Water, North Pole/ Morgan Creek, Jones Creek, and the infamous Middle Creek. While also visiting my familiar friends: The Bear, Cain, N. Chick, Suck Creek, and
LRC. I have also determined that there is no better place in the world for kayaking than Chattanooga. The next few posts will be stories from our recent adventures. Enjoy!
Allen Creek Mission:
This mission started when Adam
Goshorn ran
Daughtry Creek, a
tributary of Allen Creek. He reported back that
Daughtry Creek was pretty much worthless, but there were goods to be harvested on Allen Creek. We had heard stories of groups going into this gorge and having big days. From our knowledge it had been sometime since a group of boaters had visited this gorge, so our beta was limited. With a small rain on the way we had plans of paddling
LRC, but these small rains soon turned into large downpours. With a 6 am wake up call, we began making plans. With word that the Bear was flooded, I knew it was time. I called Adam and Dave, told them the plan, and we all met up to set shuttle. At the take out we were
harassed by an angry land owner telling us we couldn't park by the
bridge. He also told us the creek was
unnavigable in our canoes and he was forbidding us from running it. We just moved the truck to the
other side of the bridge and ignored his warning. We knew very little about the put in other than you start in the headwaters and follow a tiny stream until it becomes runnable. We found the headwaters of Allen and began hiking along the stream. The first several
minutes passed quickly with the excitement of a new run. Apparently, we put in WAY above the runnable section of Allen. After 3 hours of creek wading,
brier crawling,
rhodo bashing , and miserable hiking our patience wore thin. Soon the creek became runnable and we were off. The several hours of hiking had lulled me into lowering my guard and I quickly pulled ahead of the group. I paddled down and soon found a fun set of slides and
boofs. Horizon lines loomed, but I was getting into a
groove. So I recklessly charged ahead ignoring the eddies. The slides grew steeper and longer as my grin grew wider . Then with a quick turn of the river a LARGE horizon line appeared, and I suddenly realized where I was. This was one of the largest and hardest rapids in the Chattanooga area and for sure the largest rapid on Allen Creek, Asleep at the Wheel. I remembered the description of this rapid and
charged ahead, cleaning the drop. Like they say, "You only get one chance to run a rapid blind!" After getting to the bottom of the rapid I quickly jumped out of my boat to set safety for Dave and Adam in case they blundered into Asleep at the Wheel, like I did. Soon Dave came
boofing over the lip. He eddied out and we couldn't help but laugh, both fully realizing how the rapid got it's name. Adam had realized where he was in the entrance and eddied out and got a quick scout. The Upper section of this river was incredible bedrock rapids filled with
boofs and slides. After paddling about half the creek
Daughtry dumped in. Here the nature of the creek changes and becomes full on boulder gnar. This was the section Adam had ran on his previous mission. These boulder rapids were steep, blind, fun, and surprisingly clean of wood. Upon arrival at the car, we had all but forgotten about the hike and couldn't wait to run this creek again. With more rain on the way, my mind immediately went to the next mission.
Allen Creek has the feeling of The Bear. It is easier than the Bear, but still Class V. The creek layout is the same, large bedrock rapids up top and steep boulder gardens down low. With better access to cut out the hike, which we think we have found, this creek has the potential to become a "New Classic."
Every Fall paddlers from across the country flock to the Virgina and Kentucky border to paddle the Russell Fork. This is a world class river which is released at 600-1000 cfs every weekend of October to drain down the lake. This Draining benefits paddlers by providing some serious class V. But what's this river like lower? Well myself and Adam Goshorn ventured up there this summer for a little bit of low water on the Russell Fork. The release level was about 350 cfs. If you don't mind a little scraping on the entrance and exit, you will find the gorge is extremely boatable at that level. All The rapids were fun and much different from those found at release levels. Locals are trying to secure summer releases for the summers at around 400 cfs. That would be awesome. The Russell Fork Gorge at lower water is a beautiful class IV run with some consequence. Here are a few picture to give you a feel of what it is like. Remember if you're ever up there be at the take out at 11. That's when the locals usually meet up.
Me at the Double Boof on Tower
Adam @ Tower
Entrance to El Horendo
At this level El horendo is an awesome boof
Here I am opting to squeeze through Climax.
Another fun day boofing down the Russell Fork Gorge.
Off to Colorado soon. Stay tuned for more updates. And If you get a chance check out the Russel Fork, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
