Outdoor Recreation - Paddling
Outdoor Recreation - Paddling
Sunday, 01 June 2008 15:06
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Paddling
Introduction
Western Carolina is uniquely located near a number of rivers that are excellent for paddling. There are many opportunities for beginners to expert paddlers. A number of rivers offer commercial guided raft tours and paddling instruction. The difficulty levels of these rivers range from class one to over class five. On this website you can find information on some of the class 1 to 4 rivers within an hour's drive of Western Caroline University. They are the Nantahala, Tuckaseegee Gorge, Tuckaseegee above WCU, Slab and Eternity Hole, the North Fork of the French Broad, and the Oconaluftee.
History of Whitewater in the Western North Carolina Area
- 1942 Dam built by Nantahala Power and Light Company; water releases were unpredictable
- 1954 American Whitewater founded.
- 1971 Public use of the Nantahala River was assured when Percy Ferebee donated 5,000 acres to the US Forest Service.
- 1972 first year whitewater slalom featured as an Olympic event.
- 1972 Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) founded by Payson Kennedy and Horace Holden; Nantahala River became an Olympic Training Center
- 1981 90,000 users per year
- 1983 regular water releases
- Today there are over 200,000 users per year on the Nantahala River
Whitewater Scenic Locations
Nantahala River
The Nantahala River was voted the second best recreational river in the US by Backpacker Magazine and offers class 2 to 3 whitewater for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. A season or day pass is required for most activities and can be purchased from the US Forest Service at the put-in or at outfitters such as Nantahala Outdoor Center, Endless River Adventures, Wildwater Ltd., USA Raft, Rolling Thunder, and Carolina Outfitters. Trip lengths can be up to 2 hours or 8 miles and cost from $20 to $34 for rafts or from $28 to $44 for inflatable kayaks called ?duckies?. The public put-in is approximately 9 miles upstream from the takeout at NOC. Participants must be 6 years old for all activities. The season runs from March to October.
Directions: From campus turn right onto 107N for 5.8 miles. Turn right onto US 23 for 0.6 miles then merge onto 74 west for 35 miles to the NOC. The public put-in is approximately 9 miles and the take-out is 8 miles downstream on your right about 100 yards from Nantahala Falls .
North Fork of the French Broad
The North Fork of the French Broad is a step up from the other listed rivers. It is rated class 4 creek boating. There is a class 5 rapid that is easily scoutable and you can walk around it on the right side of the river towards the beginning of the run.
Directions: From the front of campus, turn onto 107 S, go 7 miles then take a left onto Canada Rd. Continue for about 10 miles. Take a left on Charlie's Creek Rd. Continue until road T's. Take a right on Hwy 215. Go about 15 miles until you get to Alligator Rock. Parking for the take out is across the street. To find the put in head back up 215 for about 3 miles and park on the left in a right bend at a couple of dirt lumps and a puddle. Follow the trail down to the river.
The Oconaluftee River
The Oconaluftee is a class 1 to 2 river, perfect for canoeing and kayaking. This section of river is great for beginners when the Tuckaseegee and the Nantahala are not navigable.
Directions: From campus turn right onto 107N for 5.8 miles. Turn right onto US 23 for 0.6 miles then merge onto 74 West for 11 miles to exit 74, Highway 441N. Go about 5 miles and take a left on Stacey Saunooke Dr . Take a left when this comes to a stop at another road. The put-in is under the bridge. To find the take-out, head back to 441N. Take a left at the T. Go about 2.5 miles to the take-out on the left. You can also take out at any of the pull offs on the left side of the road.
The Tuckaseegee River
The Tuckaseegee River is excellent for family float trips and offers class 1 to 2 whitewater for rafting, duckies, kayaking and canoeing. Dillsboro Rafting Company, Tuckaseegee Outfitters, Blue Ridge Outing, and Carolina Outfitters all provide services for this river with prices ranging from $10 to $15 for rental rafts, $15 to $20 for duckies, and $25 to $35 per person for guided raft trips. The trip length is approximately six miles or about one hour .
Directions: From campus, turn right onto 107N. Go 8 miles and take a left onto US 441 and as soon as you cross the bridge, take an immediate left onto North River Road . Take an immediate left for the public put-in. The take out is 6 miles downstream on your left at the first bridge across from Tuckaseegee Outfitters.
Tuckaseegee above WCU
The Upper Tuck is a class 1 to 2 river, perfect for canoeing, rafting, and kayaking. There is a public put-in at East Laporte Park about 5 miles from campus on Highway 107. The public take-out is off of Old Cullowhee Road in Cullowhee. Turn right beside Triple B convenience store and take out before the dam.
Slab and Eternity Holes
The Slab and Eternity Holes are the local park and play spots. They were built and are maintained by Western students. It is located on the East Fork of the Tuckaseegee. The Slab is the top hole. It is a little easier for the beginner play-boater.
Directions: From the front of campus, turn onto 107S, go 7 miles then take a left onto Shook Cover Road . Continue for one mile and there will be a turn off and the trail to the Slab is on your left.
Links
Biography
My name is Emily Firebaugh.
I am a Parks and Recreation student who graduated in August 2007. I have spent a lot of time on the water: rafting on the Nantahala, Ocoee, and Lower New River, and canoeing and kayaking on flat-water rivers and lakes.
My name is Todd Henry.
I am a Parks and Recreation student who graduatde in May 2007. I started whitewater recreation sports in the summer of 2001. For five summers, I have been a raft guide in Colorado . Since I started paddling, I have kayaked in 15 states.
My name is Steve Page.
I am a Parks and Recreation student scheduled to graduate in August 2009. I started whitewater recreation sports in the summer of 2005. I have traveled all over the southeast United States and Costa Rica in search of whitewater.
My name is David Johnson.
I am a Parks and Recreation student scheduled to graduate in May 2008. I enjoy many recreational activities including whitewater and team sports. I plan on working in a collegiate athletic program after graduation.