Corbin Creek is a small stream that flows northwest off of Tray Mountain before converging with the Upper Hiawassee. This is quintessential micro-creeking. At the put-in, the amount of water would not seem adequate to float a boat. However after rounding a couple of bends and dodging numerous trees, the creekbed soon becomes solid bedrock which allows one to slip and slide down the mountain 500 vertical feet in the first two miles. The rapids are one bedrock slide after another, interspersed with four abrupt drops. Be prepared to deal with a substantial amount of rhododendron and fallen wood. The first falls is soon after the put-in so keep an eye out, it is a large double drop that is choked with logs. This falls, if cleared of wood, could be a runnable class V. Portage on the right. Tentatively calling it the Hair of the Dog (ask John Mcrae why someday). Continue ducking and dodging the overhanging rhododendron and keep an eye out for the next three cascades as you run multiple class III/IV drops and slides. The 2nd (or 3rd, I can't recall) falls has a large log jam at the top. Portage left or right. If cleared of wood, this could be a fun double drop, perhaps class IV+. The 2nd or 3rd falls is a 10-15 foot drop that lands on rock and has a tricky approach. Maybe runnable, could hurt. We portaged on the right on a slippery cliff that made me nervous, perhaps portage on the left instead. The last falls, tentatively called Squeeze Play, is runnable but tight. We portaged on the right. After two miles the gradient eases up significantly and there are some pesky shallow shoals to negotiate. Don't worry, more water is joining up soon. Just before the confluence with Brier Creek, there is a cable across the river with signs declaring 'No fishing, No hunting, No trespassing;' now the fun begins. You are in a fishing and hunting camp. Paddle through quickly and quietly and if you see anybody, be as friendly and understanding as possible. Soon the creek meets up with the Hiawassee and the flow speeds up. Gradient (ft/mile): 226, 247, 68 and then 63 for the last 1.4 miles. Directions: Take highway 17/75 north of Helen. Pass highway 180 on the left, continue 2.1 miles and pass over the Hiawassee River. Take the first dirt road on the right. There are two dirt roads that fork off from the main road, take the right fork, FS 698 Laka Corbin Creek Road). Drive about 4.8 to 5.0 miles and you should see the creek on the right. There is a dirt road to the right that passes some campsites and fords the creek. This is where we put in. Takeout is the Hwy 17/75 bridge. It would be nice to find a takeout that avoids the fish camp. FS 698 is gated shut at Hwy 17/75 and at Tray Gap, January 1st to March 2nd due to snow and ice. This pretty much rules out running this creek unless you are willing to hike 4 to 5 miles. You can call the WMA office for more information at 770-535-5700 or 706-896-2505.
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GAGE DESCRIPTIONS
The Hiawassee at Presley, GA could be a good indicator as it is six miles downstream of the confluence of Corbin creek and the Hiawassee. The day we ran it the gauge was reading between 580 and 540 cfs. So a likely minimum is 540 cfs. Another possible gauge is
Brier Creek near Hiawassee, GA which is the next gorge south of Corbin Creek. Brier Creek could be useful for future correlations. It was running 30 cfs the day we ran Corbin.