C-Forum

So I may have an opportunity to boat around asheville for a few days this spring, what are your favorites? Wilson's creek, nolichucky, cheoa, big laurel? This will be my first time boating east of the mississippi, looking for class iii-iv runs within 1-2 hs drive time from asheville.
thanks
Aric

It all depends on your skill level. If class 3-4 is your game, you should shoot for what you listed. Also, be sure to keep French Broad section 9 on your radar. It may hold water better than some of the other's you mentioned. The Big Pigeon gorge will have scheduled releases that time of year. You may also want to try the upper Green, although the take out is a bitch. If there's a lot of water....you'll have a lot of options. Let me know when you'll be in town. I'll be happy to take you down one or two of em.

-phil

Pigeon won't start scheduled releases until Memorial Day I believe.

The Nolichucky Gorge is one not to miss. IMHO It is one of my favorite runs in the area. A good first run level would be 2 to 2.5 on the Embreeville gauge which is accessible on the USGS site. I have run it from 1.5, really low and long, to 3.5, a good class IV run. The best part of the run is the first 3.5 miles. Make sure to spend some time in Jaws. The most difficult rapid is called Quarter Mile, its approximate length. It ends with a 3.5 ft. ledge named Murphy's. This ledge deserves a scout. Sneak routes on right, preferred and left. All in all a great class 3-4 run in a beautiful canyon. It's also cool to paddle across the state line from NC to TN. All the other rivers you mentioned would be great to. The French Broad is also nice and does hold water better than most.

I'm extemely jealous, I have not been able to get down that way for the last couple of years.

Enjoy

Ken