3: Gap Creek Road to below Dead Man's Curve

River slows down as it enters a valley.  USGS gauge is just down from the put-in on the bridge just after Gap Creek confluences with the Middle Saluda. River is not officially navigable until below where the waters exiting Tankersely Lake flow in, so low profile is the best policy. Biggest single rapid is near the end at what is called "dead man's curve" where the road follows the river, and both make a sharp turn to the right.