Chattooga Section 4 at 1.2

[philinasheville]

Hopeing to get some feedback from all you Chattooga boaters. Is 1.2 a good/bad level to check out Section 4 for the first time in an open boat? I have good class 3-4 boating skills, not a good roll, but can swim and self rescue with the best of em. Been wantin' to check this river out for a long time. Any advice would be great!

Phil

[drrpm]

The USGS gauge reads about 0.3 ft lower than the old paddlers stick gauge on the bridge abutment. I like to have at least 1.0 on the old gauge, but have run it down to 0.55 in times of desperation. At the current level there isn't much push but the lines are pretty tight in the 5 falls. Everything is runnable at this level except Crack in the Rock ( it may be OK but look closely first).
Corkscrew is pretty ugly but easily portaged if you don't want to run it. Since there isn't much push, mishaps are generally pretty easy to manage. Its a beautiful section of river and low water will give you more of an opportunity to enjoy the scenery.

[dixie_boater]

You shouldn't have any trouble at 1.2' on the old bridge gauge. I think drrpm meant to write that the USGS internet gauge is .2' higher than the old bridge gauge. We've had a few thunderstorms bump it up to 1.4' (USGS) this week, but it dropped quickly. I recommend putting in at Woodall Shoals. The river is too scrapey between Hwy 76 and Woodall at low water. Go with some folks that know the river. The river really spreads out over the shoals between the mouth of Stekoa Creek and Deliverance rock. The best channels are not always obvious to a first timer.

Take plenty of water (or a filter) as it gets very hot. It's easy to get dehydrated if you don't drink enough. Enjoy the scenery as it is absolutely beautiful

[drrpm]

Oops, I got that backwards. The USGS gauge is .3 higher at this level. At about 2.2 they are the same. Anyway, dixie_boater is right and Woodall to the lake is a good choice at the current level.

[bamaboater]

I think that's a great level for a first run down Sec. 4. That's what I ran it at my first time.

Everything is pretty straight forward until the last mile (5 falls), which you'll only run 4 of (I wasnt' about to run the crack). I would advise against running it because that rapid is not the same as it has been in the past.

definitely run it w/someone who knows the river and scout every rapid in the 5 falls section.

if you run sock 'em dog, make sure you hold out on your boof stroke until your right on the edge. it's got a weird tongue that dips into a little trough before the current launches you up and over the ledge. if you power stroke in the trough you won't have time to set up another to get over the hole at the bottom and you might swim, or roll if you think of it. there's a good run out below here to attempt a roll.

and x2 on the drinking H2O. you will definitely need it.

awesome run. hope you got a good forward stroke for the lake paddle. maybe keep a couple of inches of water in your hull for a little added momentum on the lake.

can you tell I've been drinking coffee this morning?

[pdown2]

1.2 is fine, anything below 1.0 turn parts of the run into a hike above Woodall.

We have a group running Sec4 at the beginning of July if you want to meet up and paddle with. If you do just send me a PM.

[Oci-One Kanubi]

Don't put on at Woodall, put on at the bridge. Why miss out on part of the run ('specially if you have never seen it before) for the privelege of carrying your boat 3/8 of a mile down a trail?

Chris Kelly and I ran it at 0.7' on the paddlers' gauge last August. We never had to get out of our boats ('cept to walk Crack).

[bamaboater]

carry upstream 1/4 and run the Bull! gotta run the Bull, it's one of those legendary "yea, I ran that" rapids. that's the proper intro to the Chattooga.

[philinasheville]

Thanks for all the information. I'll get on that sometime this summer. Hopefully I'll see some of you there!

Phil