Chattooga Cliffs - Grimshawes Bridge to Bull Pen Bridge Wild

The upper two miles of the Wild and Scenic corridor below Whiteside Cove Road runs through private property. The property owner has blocked the river with cattle gates, fencing, and razor-wire. The Forest Service prohibits paddling on public lands immediately upstream and downstream of the private property. Paddlers have to hike in to the river on the Chattooga River Trail from the small parking lot on Whiteside Cove Road, turning left down an unmarked Green Creek Trail to reach the river. The entry hike of almost two miles is long but easier than many other runs such as the Toxaway, Horsepasture or Ravens. Be sure to fill out a permit at the trailhead. Approximately 2 miles downstream of the Green Creek put-in, a river-wide log jam exists around two large boulders that created three narrow channels. The log jam appears to be from old floods and appears to function as a strainer for most floating debris coming down upper reaches. A small ledge defines the beginning of the whitewater immediately downstream of the logjam that continues approximately 1.2 miles down to Bull Pen Bridge. The upper 2/3-mile has the most difficult rapids. The river enters a narrow canyon defined by steep rocky cliffs overhung above by dense vegetation. The rapids are close together, constricted and easy to approach and scout at low or moderate flows. The rapids are generally Class IV or V-, with one difficult sieve that may be boatable at higher flows.Strainers and sieves are common on this reach and a portage or two can be expected.After "the Sieve" the river mellows to Class III-IV the last mile to the bridge.The run has required 2.5 hours for a 4-mile trip. This run is about the unique river features and closed-in feel of the river.It is a lot of work for the few rapids and would be visited to experience an almost primordial sense of the river. Here are the ridiculous Forest Service rules: - Paddling is allowed only below Green Creek (not above) - Paddling is allowed between December 1 and April 30, on days when flows have hit 350 cfs or higher. - No strainer removal (this is reasonable). These severe restrictions are the only of their kind in the entire Unites States, and are intended to benefit hostile landowners and anglers who pursue heavily stocked non-native trout. AW has been working for a decade to bring responsible, nationally consistent river management to the Chattooga, and this work continues today. For more information about American Whitewater's efforts to remove this boating ban go to the Chattooga Project page Emergency Locations Bull Pen Bridge N35°00.938' W83°07.589' Reach Profile https://www.americanwhitewater.org/photos/archive/medium/891428.jpg Related Reaches Chattooga Cliffs (AKA Section 00) Ellicott Rock (AKA Section 0) Rock Gorge (AKA Section 1) Woody Debris This section of the Chattooga has special concerns about large woody debris for fish habitat. Please respect the environment and leave wood as you find it, even if it adds a portage. The Chattooga has a remarkable ability to clean itself and the rapid may be ready next time. For more information about woody debris in rivers go to Large Woody Debris and Stream Ecology