Georgia Natural Wonder #17 - Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Section II - III. 847

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #17 Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Section II - III

Alright, we started our adventure on this Natural Wonder of Georgia yesterday taking the four tributaries down from the West Fork of the Chattooga River, the Stekoa River, Reed Creek, and the main flow of the Chattooga River. We talked about the three creeks leading to the Three Forks, and we stopped in on a few local falls and such. Now we camped out at Black Rock Mountain State Park and we are back at the Russell Bridge (Hwy 28).



Not every kayaker has the skills, or the balls, to brave the raucous rapids of the National Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. Anyone who has seen the 1970s adventure thriller “Deliverance” would be understandably wary of barreling down the famed Class IV+ whitewater featured in Sections III and IV of Georgia's Chattooga. For those of us not-quite-ready for the big water, there’s Section II, a fun-packed float trip boasting some 20 Class I and II rapids with one roaring Class III to get your heart pounding. My wife and I made this float years ago with many of you folks. X Dawg, GTSux, OpieDawg & wife, MCG, bNe. Rest In Peace Jamoie (Who kept yelling Get Up all night) TEE - and the leader of that shindig CD. I can't remember who else was there ROLL CALL?


Big Shoals.

More than just a whitewater thrill ride, this kinder and gentler section of the river affords paddlers the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery that earned the Chattooga the designation of National Wild & Scenic River. The 7.4-mile run starts at the Russell Bridge on Hwy 28. Because most of Section II is relatively tame, the U.S. Forest Service allows tubing as well as paddling on this segment of the river.


Piece of Cake. bNe may have flipped his canoe over here.

As put-ins go, the Russell Bridge landing is about as accommodating as it gets. It’s just a few steps from the parking area to the concrete ramp used to launch boats. The day we paddled the river, the water level was at 2.8 and falling, making it easy to paddle over some of the more shallow and rocky sections. At the start, the river drops gradually and gently, but picks up volume and speed when the West Fork of the Chattooga flows in from the right about 100 yards below the bridge.



Once the site of Chattooga Old Town, one of the largest Native American settlements in the Southeast, the valley through which the upper river flows was eventually taken over by farmers who recognized the agricultural value of the land. A large farmhouse owned by the Russell family is one of the few structures from this early period that is still standing. In the first few miles, you’ll see several privately owned dwellings along the South Carolina shoreline.



Once you leave the valley near the access point known as Long Bottom Ford, the terrain reverts to wilderness and the river gets cranking. After passing several large islands in the river, you’ll reach a long deep pool and then Turn Hole Rapid, the first whitewater worthy of a name. At average water levels, you can run it near the center, dropping over a three-foot ledge. bNe surely flipped his canoe over here.



The next half mile offers mild Class I and II rapids. At Mile 4, you’ll see a group of large boulders and rock slabs extending almost completely across the river. This is Big Shoals, a Class II+ to Class III rapid.



We stopped and climbed on the big rocks to the right of center to scout out the best route. We played our harmonica a little while. You’ve got a few options here. The easiest and most popular line is next to the right bank. This is a nice tongue that will move you swiftly into a small reversal wave at the head of the pool below. You also can paddle through the curler at the right center and the chute on the far left. Or you can portage around the rapid and avoid it all together.



The diversity of routes makes Big Shoals a great spot to practice your paddling skills.



It’s relatively easy to portage back up and over the rocks for those who want to try out the different lines.



From Big Shoals, it’s mostly smooth sailing. There are a number of long, slow pools with some Class I and Class II whitewater before you get to the Earls Ford takeout where Warwoman Creek enters the river on the right.


Years ago with Dawg Vent crew floating Section II. Just before take out, my wife abandoned ship on a rope swing hanging off shore. The weight distribution in our canoe was greatly affected.

But don’t be fooled into thinking you’ve survived Section II. The hardest part of this whitewater adventure is the quarter-mile trek uphill to the parking lot.


GNW gal today toting canoe.

Easily done in one day, you could float the next section of the river so we will go ahead and cover Section III today. We are dividing this into three Natural Wonders because yesterday was so expansive and Sections III & IV of the mighty Chattooga deserve separate mentions as far as Natural Wonders go. But this is where you should probably go Commercial Rafting. Groups can raft the Chattooga on their own, but they must check in with the National Forestry Service first. Because portions of the Chattooga are truly dangerous and many fatalities have occurred, it’s important to know your own expertise level and behave wisely. Others may want to take advantage of the equipment and services provided by one of the three authorized outfitters on the Chattooga – all regulated by the National Forestry Service, and all provide great options for rafters of all experience levels.

Wildwater Ltd. Rafting, Long Creek, SC

Southestern Expeditions, Clayton, GA

Nantahala Outdoor Center, Oconee County, SC.

The number of trips and number of people per trip is strictly regulated so you are unlikely to encounter any other groups when you are on the river. Just lots of wonderful scenery, some wildlife, perhaps and of course, great white water! In the spring, the river is usually higher and faster—and colder. By mid summer, it has warmed up and settled down a bit, depending on rainfall. In the Fall, it may be lower and slower, but the beauty of fall color makes it a special time to visit. In the late spring, the river is lined with blooming pink and white mountain laurel. Early spring is also a great time to go rafting, kayaking, or canoeing because of the higher flows and cooler temperatures. The Chattooga is a free-flowing river (no upstream dam to control the flow) which quickly responds to rainfall or drought conditions. As a drop-pool style river, rapids are followed by calm pools for swimming.



Section III has Class II-IV rapids which rafters and kayakers frequent. The final rapid in Section III is Bull Sluice. A number of signature rapids on this river were featured in the motion picture Deliverance. Section III is what we call "Mild & Scenic." With numerous swimming holes, Class II-III rapids, and a Class IV grand finale at the famous Bull Sluice rapid, Section III is perfect for families and children eight years-old and up. View downstream from Earl’s Ford.



Now we turn off our minds relax and float downstream and we list the named rapids in order.

Warwoman Rapid (Class II+, Mile 0.3).

This is a small river wide ledge just downstream from the put in and where Warwoman creek joins the Chattooga.



Run from left to right as you enter this rapid.



First Island Rapid (Class II, Mile 1.2)

Most prefer the run on the right side of the island.



Rock Garden (Class II+, Mile 1.6)



Technical rock garden. The river makes a hard right hand turn and immediately after the turn is a decent size rock garden and other obstacles that you'll need to navigate and work through.


Obstacles (Distractions anyway) in Rock garden.

3 Rooster Tails (Class III, Mile 2.3)

About a quarter mile above Dicks Creek ledge is a short but exciting rapid with a rock that bisects the river flow. Most boaters take the left channel which is the most obvious.



Dicks Creek Ledge (Class III+, Mile 2.5)

One of the more technical rapids on the upper stretch. Many options for routes. Above 4.5 feet this rapid turns into a nasty river wide hole.



This ledge runs the width of the river where Dicks Creek Falls enters the river on river right. At high flows large hydraulics and holes appear here. This rapid could be the crux of the run. It's worth a scout if you're unfamiliar with this stretch.



I may not have floated down this section of the river, but I did make it to the top of Dicks Creek Falls via trail on Georgia side.


TRD atop the Falls.


My buddy, Pete, looks out from crest of falls across the ledge.


My photo from ledge to Dicks Creek Falls.

From bottom of Falls downstream.



Sandy Ford Rapid (Class III, Mile 3.0)

Pretty easy at lower levels. But rather interesting at high water. When 5 falls is too high for mere mortals, lots of boaters end up doing high water runs of section 3. Above 4.5 feet Sandy Ford hides the biggest hole on section 3. The river is broken into many little ledges here creating a straight forward run at low water and another hard rapid at high water. You can also access the river at this point from the Sandy Ford road just off of the Earl's Ford Road.Here is someone jumping off the Georgia side at Sandy Ford.



Just below the rapid on river left is an access point. Whetstone Creek enters the Chattooga here right below Sandy Ford and boaters can hike their boats up this creek for some waterfalls. But that is the South Carolina side. Not a Georgia Natural Wonder.

Addendum to original post

Not letting State boundaries stop us in our search for Natural Wonders, we read that it is easy walking distance up Whetstone Creek. American Whitewater tells us of these two rapids / waterfall. The first is simply called ....

Approach To Last Drop


Depending on water level you might be required to dodge some brush on the approach. At high water the last drop is a two stage rapid, see upper drop in rear.

Whetstone Falls (Class IV, Mile 1.5)

The real reason for this side hike into South Carolina is just viewing this waterfall for most of us. But some folks take the plunge.



The last drop on Whetstone is rather easy but still a big drop, nasty to flip.

Back to original post.

The Narrows (Class III+, Mile 3.5)

The longest individual rapid on Section 3. There is an easy to avoid undercut on the bottom left.



This is a long rapid created by many large rock constrictions and ledges.


Entering the Narrows.

The middle of the rapid features some unusually swirly water.


Middle of Narrows.

There's also a few log undercuts in here so be careful.



Second Ledge (Class III, Mile 4.0)

A 6 foot tall ledge. This can be boof alley if you're on your A-game. This is where many southeastern boaters learned to boof. Practice makes perfect.



At moderate flows there is a good wave below the ledge. Portage left.This is another almost river wide ledge. This ledge is around 5 to 6 feet in height and is an excellent boof (if you can boof).


Not a boof.

Eye of the Needle (Class III+, Mile 5.4)

Run left, punch the wave hole.


Run LEFT.....Look out for that rock #@%$

Fall Creek Access point


Fall Creek Falls S.C.

There are actually three falls on this creek, it's an 8 mile round trip hike by land, only a few hundred yards from river.

Rollercoaster (Class III, Mile 9.0)

Fun wavetrain.



Painted Rock (Class III+, Mile 9.2)

Easy at low flows, but grows some large waves above 2 feet. Stay off the big rock in the middle.



Thrifts Ferry (Class II+, Mile 11.0)

Access point on river left. Just below the thrifts ferry trail is a sweet rapid with a great wave. Nice eddy on river left. Great for spud boats above 1.7 feet.



Bull Sluice (Class IV, Mile 12.2)

Very large double drop rapid full of potholes and undercuts. AW standard rated class 4+ from 1.8 to 2.3. Its easier lower, and harder higher.


This is evidently a higher harder flow.

Not everyone is going to muster up the mettle to raft or kayak the Chattooga River’s infamous Bull Sluice.



After all, this Class IV rapid has been known to humble even the cockiest of adventurers.



Dropping 14 feet through a narrow jumble of boulders, Bull Sluice serves as the grand finale to Section III of the National Wild & Scenic Chattooga. Watching the carnage that results from a bad run is almost as much fun as navigating through the whitewater.



You can get a front row seat to the show by hiking a short gravel trail off U.S. 76 near the South Carolina/Georgia state line. The moderately steep pathway takes you to a wooden rail overlooking the rapids. The trail is not maintained beyond this point, but it’s not difficult to scramble down the rocks to the edge of the water. During the summer the locals will swim into a cave under the main flow then hang out and watch you boat over them.


Less crowded in winter.

Bull Sluice packs a punch, delivering a heart-pounding ride through a double-drop rapid. On a busy weekend day, it’s not unusual to find a peanut gallery perched on the boulders along the banks cheering and jeering the good, the bad and the ugly.



Wow! What a day. What a Wild and Scenic Natural Wonder of Georgia. But we are saving the best for last. Part 3 of our post on this wonder is Section IV and it is stands alone Natural Wonder #18 .



Reprise of our GNW Gals for this post.