Whitewater Run NC Class II-III+

B) Two miles above the Horse Park to Leatherwood Falls

American Whitewater

Linked via: Proximity 99% confidence Synced 6mo ago

Gauge Conditions

Nantahala River near Rainbow Springs, NC Upstream Primary

Runnable: 400.0 – 5,000.0 CFS

Upper limit for best boatability uncertain. Please help your fellow boaters with a comment or report.

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Run Map

Interactive run map Loads as you approach this section.

Run Time Estimate

Put-in

Take-out

Select put-in and take-out to estimate time.

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Whitewater timing varies with scouting, portages, and group pace. Use as a planning baseline.

Description

Fires Creek is a narrow steep roadside whitewater run. Even though it has a large watershed, good access, and is near several whitewater outdoor centers, Fires Creek has attracted little local attention. Unlike other similar creeks Fires has no single spectacular large rapid. However when the gauge reads 400 cfs or more the creek is literally a 6-mile rapid with a western feel. The run is genuinely fun and very constant in character. Fires Creek is narrow and thus there is always a strainer hazard. There is a bridge about halfway down the run but boaters can access the stream to put in almost anywhere. Taking out is slightly more difficult but not a real problem, because of the nearby road. _'The two miles above the horse camp from the concrete arch bridge down drop at an average of 200 fpm. Sure didn't feel that steep. Very continuous gradient, no big drops.'_ Brad Roberts, 2003 Clay County AFWS Rain Gauges Try this Google Map s linke to locate or get directions to the take-out.