9. Barnard to Hot Springs

Section 9 of the French Broad (known widely as FB9) is one of the primary intermediate whitewater runs in WNC thanks to it being runnable pretty much all the time, its fun rapids, and close proximity to Asheville. Paddlers have the option of a ful run from Barnard to Hot Springs, or the shorter and more common run from Barnard to Stackhouse. From Barnard to Stackhouse the river has fairly evenly dispersed class 2 and 3 rapids with relatively little flatwater. If you paddle below Stackhouse, you paddle 4 miles of mostly flatwater for 2 good rapids: class 3 Kayak Ledge and Class 4 Frank Bell's. Paddlers that are short on water, daylight, or time typically opt for the shorter run. The river gradually builds in difficulty below the put in with some nice warm up rapids and surfs. Keep an eye out for S-Turn Rapid where there is reportedly a very easily avoided sieve lurking on river left, and for the fun powerful waves in Big Pillow. A big pool signals that its almost time to surf at Sandy Bottoms just downstream, and Ledges Rapid will keep you busy with its namesake small legdges spaced throughout a long rapid. You won't be able to miss the Stackhouse Take-Out on river right, which comes right before the river flattens out. Past Stackhouse the river spreads out and slowly makes its way down the Windy Flats. There is a distinctive rock spire at the upper end of the island as a marker for Kayak Ledge. If some in your group are not ready for Kayak Ledge or Frank Bell's the left sides of both islands have much easier routes. At Kayak Ledge most of the flow goes to the left of the island. Below Kayak Ledge the river is divided into several channels by smallish islands. After the channels join, the river is in a wide pool above Frank Bell's (where most of the flow goes to the right of the island) You can scout Frank Bell's from near (on) the RR tracks but you won't get a great view. 700 cfs is a good minimum flow since you can run from Barnard to Stackhouse without dragging if you are careful in choosing your line. People have made the run as low as 350 cfs, but a goodly amount of scraping on rocks must have been involved. 1200 is a suggested minimum to continue past Stackhouse on to Hot Springs. Kayak Ledge and Frank Bell's are located on the right sides of two fairly large islands. At levels above 3500 the river gets pushy, above 5000 there are substantial boils and wierd cross currents and a few mean holes. For those coming from out of town (or even locals) not wanting to bring two vehicles, shuttle services may be available. Matt & Jemima who own the Laurel River Store on Big Laurel Creek, a couple miles away may be able to arrange or put you in touch with shuttle services. Their e-mail is laurelriverstore@gmail.com and phone number is 828-260-6462 an alternate number is 828-773-1053.