Hurricane to Hot Springs

Please note the gauge referenced on this page is for the Ivy which is near the Big Laurel but is not a direct correlation to the water level of the Big Laurel. Big Laurel ranks as one of the classic Western North Carolina whitewater runs thanks to its great moderate Class III/IV rapids, nice scenery, and frequent runnable flows.  At low flows and medium flows Big Laurel is a great training ground for paddlers making the transition from river running to creek boating.  At higher flows it is a booming river in its own right.  Paddlers should be aware of an easily avoided sieve partway down on the left side of Stairstep Rapid, as well as a stout easily avoided hole on the right side of Suddy Hole. Hiking and swimming has picked up dramatically along Big Laurel in recent years so expect company in the summer.  The trail borders the entire run and offers easy scouting and portaging. The putin for this run is in Hurricane, NC. The takeout is in Hot Springs, NC. Big Laurel drops 200 feet in 3.7 miles before flowing into the French Broad, the last 3.3 miles of the run. To avoid paddling the French Broad, take out in Runion (below Stackhouse). _Shuttle Directions:_ From Hot Springs, take US 25 north for 4.7 miles to Hurricane, NC. In Hurricane, US 25 turns right at a stop sign, just after passing over Big Laurel Creek. Turn right, following US 25 north. The putin is immediately on the right from the large gravel parking area. From the gravel parking lot at the putin, turn left onto US 25 south and take an immediate left, following US 25 to Hot Springs. Continue on US 25 south for 4.7 miles. In Hot Springs, turn right just before the bridge over the French Broad River onto Paint Rock Rd. At the end of this road, turn left onto Lovers Leap Rd. Pass under the US 25 bridge and the takeout is just upstream of the bridge. A public, dirt parking lot is available at the end of the road if parking is not available at one of the commercial outfits at the takeout. To run only the Big Laurel portion of this run, head south for 2.0 miles from the put-in in Hurricane on US25. Turn right onto Stackhouse Rd (NC-1139). The road ends at a riverside parking area in Runion. Matt & Jemima Cook are boaters who purchased the restaurant / store at the put-in. When Big Laurel is running they frequently post the levels on Boatertalk and the Laurel River Store Facebook page. If you are on Facebook and 'like' Laurel River Store, you can get those daily updates when Big Laurel is running. They can also arrange shuttles / put you in contact with local shuttle services. e-mail laurelriverstore@gmail.com ; phone 828-260-6462, alternate phone 828-773-1053. Reference the French Broad, NC -Bernard to Hot Springs (Section 9) AWA page for more information on the last 3.3 miles of this run. _Typical Weather Conditions for Hot Springs, NC_ Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average High (F) 47 50 60 70 77 84 87 87 81 71 61 50 Average Low (F) 27 30 37 44 52 59 63 63 57 46 38 31 See also Chris Bell's Asheville-Area Boating Beta Page.