 |
 |
Southeast States
Georgia, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky
|
|
__________________________________________
| |
Cherokee Adventures |
800-445-7238 |
|
| |
High Mountain Expeditions |
800-262-9036 |
|
| |
Wahoo's Adventures |
800-444-7238 |
|
| |
Russell Fork Expeditions |
800-843-3675 |
|
|
| Section |
Gorge
(Section IV) |
|
Location |
Avery and Watauga
counties, western North Carolina; Johnson County, eastern Tennessee |
|
Driving Time |
Knoxville—2.5 hours;
Winston-Salem—2 hours |
|
Difficulty |
Class
III-V |
|
Trip Length |
8 miles (13 km) |
|
Trip Options |
Paddle
raft; one-day |
|
Season |
March-April |
The Watauga Gorge, above
the Watauga Lake, is a spectacular whitewater run for fit,
adventuresome rafters. This not-to-well-known stretch has nearly
continuous Class III-IV whitewater and a lot of surprises, including
a couple of dramatic Class V drops. The Gorge has an average
gradient of 100 feet per mile and three sections dropping over 190
feet per mile.
The
5-mile (8 km) Gorge raft trip has fifteen rapids rated Class IV or
greater. Immediately after the western North Carolina put-in at Guys
Ford Bridge, the river's action starts with three steep ledge-type
Class III-IV rapids, followed by Class V Hydro, which may be run
depending on water levels. Next is a continuous Class IV stretch
with Vernons, Maggies Drop, Edge of the World, Hud's Hook, and
Boogie Two Shoes. After a very brief lull, constant Class IV-V
action—Big Ass Plunge, Heavy Water, Knuckle, and Dougs
Drop—requires quick decisions and precision maneuvering through
numerous mazelike chutes.
Tennessee
the Wrong Way, a 16-foot vertical Class VI+ falls, must be portaged.
Ledge, a 9-foot diagonal slide, provides a long-remembered ride.
Just prior to the eastern Tennessee take-out, the river eases up
with two Class III-IV rapids, Last Hair and Rewind.
Watauga
rafting is dependent on adequate late-winter and early-spring water
levels. Rafters are encouraged to make early reservations and
maintain close contact with their outfitter just prior to the
scheduled trip.
|
|
