Well, I am heading down to the mountains for some weed wacking and mowing this Thursday after Dove's school is out. Looks like there will be water in the area:

[www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov]

Hopefully the rain will make it near impossible for me to cut grass leaving only one choice: go boating on maybe Big Creek, the Middle Prong (Greenbriar) and/or the Little. If all fails, I could be up for a Section IV trip on Sat. (day trip only for me), but I think it will go back up and be high. I think there will be closer day trips tho. Anyone interested in at least a Sat. run? Possible for Friday, but I am out for Sunday.

Brent

hmmmmmmmmm. if the little runs my arm could certainly be twisted. and if big creek were at a lowish level i might be interested in that as well.

not sure if i can travel to boat, but keep me posted in the event that i can swing it if you don't mind, brent. i want to continue to take advantage of natural flow for as long as possible!!!!
bethany

I might be up for something on Sat.. I'll be in Ashville this weekend with my wife for her century ride, is there anything between you and Ashville in the III to III+ range you'd be interested in on Sat.

Gmead

Well, Big Creek and Greenbriar section of the Middle Prong are both class 3+ type runs (water level dependent) as is the Little. There is also the Pigeon if nothing else runs. It is class II - III.

Let's see what kinda water we get in the next 48 hours. That will decide alot for many of us.

Brent

For those interested, keep an eye on the Watauga as Boone is suppose to get some pretty heavy T-storms over the next few days. I would be VERY interested in day trip there on Sat, if levels are there. It is 2.5 hours from us in the Smokies and makes a perfect day trip. Wish I could do more than Sat. (Might sneak off for a run on Friday if the weather is perfect (rainy)).
Brent

Keep me posted I'd be into something for Sat. while Kelly rides but will be limited in travel time.

Gmead

Brent,
I could maybe do a day trip Sat with an early a.m. start since I'm working Sun. That would obviously be on the N side of the park, or similar distance / time. Rules out Sect IV for me. Keep me posted on projected plans ... hoping to boat somewhere. Would also drive to the RF if it happens to be at a doable level for me or UG or Plateau ... which are probably out for you from the base cabin. Oh... BTW, the level we saw the Greenbriar at couple wks ago was not class 3+... I'd call that continuous IV and a ton of fun! Definitely more continuous and as hard, if not harder than the Cheoah IMO. May have seemed harder b/c it was more continuous than the Cheoah and was new to me. Never paddled western whitewater, but seemed similar to some of the discriptions I've read of continuous runs out West.
Wes

Brent, now that I've taken my head from my butt, apparently we're headed to Ashville on Sat. and Kellies ride is Sunday. So I guess I'm looking at paddling something Sunday instead. Let me know if or what your thinking about paddling and I'll try might be able to meet ya!

Gmead

Wes:
You guys had Middle Prong at hero levels. Normally, it is a class III creek run if you are running all the right lines. You can find hard moves in there. You guys had it at a class IV+ level. lol. Lucky suckers! Geez, I still can't believe I had to miss that. Let's watch the weather and see if the Watauga comes up. You will love that one.

George:
Not sure that I can paddle on Sunday. Not sure the Pigeon is running although they have plenty of water so it may very well run on Sunday. Normally only on Sat. I think Chief and some folks may go to the Noli on Sunday after a day on the Pigeon on Sat. if you are interested. I am not sure Christine is going for me paddling on Sunday too tho. Heck, she still doesn't know I am paddling something on Saturday, lol.

Brent

Wes: With the Watauga now at almost 400 cfs and some more rain in the forecast, that may be our day trip move if you feel like making the drive. Bout 5.5 hours. Not as far to the park (4 hours) if that is happening, but it ain't yet.
Brent