A friend and I went down to have a look at Secret Spot approximately 5 months ago. Level was
somewhere between 2 and 3K if I recall right, and there did not appear to be anything there. That
was my first time and his second or third at the spot. Anyone else have that problem. Not sure if
the new bridge wiped this one out - maybe we just misunderstood the guage Edit

No second drop is not murphys ledge its actually the second drop in what is known as S-turn and
sits right behind the Big rock known as BFR. Its right at the top of Quarter Mile. Murphys ledge is
the the last drop of Quarter Mile and would actually be like the 13th drop of Quarter mile no where
near the Second Drop as the actual drop is known.

supposed to be an awsome play spot at second drop in quarter mile josh l I hope that your not
refering to Murphys Ledge. Several people have drown at this ledge. It should be avoided at all
levels and at all cost. Skirt far left or far right. There is a tounge right of center that can be
ran, but you dont want to be off line! Edit

I would object to 'on the rocks' listed as a class 3+..... I've seen one drown in the under cut a
long time ago and have seen too many close calls since. Personally pulled 3 people out when I
guided on the chuck for cherokee Adv. Two were our custies, one touron from USA..... I think it
still a class four, but I also know that two year olds are cartwheelin' down thirty footers........ Edit

The large flow that occurred August 26, 2008, has caused a sizeable tree to migrate down to
Roostertail. It is easily seen at 1,000 cfs, sticking out of the water about 1/3 of the way down
just left of center. This is a potential strainer. Edit

Brad Barker and I went down yesterday evening (4-10-06) to check out "The Secret Spot" on the Noli.
It was running somewhere around 1,700 cfs as the current gauge reading was @ 2:30 p.m. 1,610 cfs in
Embreeville. Here's the scoop: The spot can not be reached by the river left side - it is all
private property. You can drive straight down to the river right side of the spot. Traveling south
from Greenville on Hwy 70; turn right down a dirt and gravel road about 200' before you cross the
bridge that goes over the river. The road was built for the construction of the new bridge for Hwy
70. The dirt and gravel road will take you all the way down to the 2nd new bridge pylon on a
graveled peninsula the highway department has constructed. You can park there on the peninsula,
which is about 200 yards below the Nolichucky Dam. Just below the peninsula is an island that
splits the river into 2 channels. Ferry to the river left side channel to get down to "The Secret
Spot". The spot has changed dramatically from the photos in the earlier reports due to the
construction of the bridge. There is an eddie you can catch on the far river left bank just below
the hole and wave. It is a pretty strong feeder eddie back into the hole between a rock and bank.
Follow the feeder eddie back up into the wave/hole and surf it down to the big wave. The main wave
is about 4' tall and holds you well. When you flush out from the wave head back over to the river
left side. There is a rope tied up on the rocks that you can pull yourself back up into the eddie
(just don't lean forward pulling yourself up river). You can take some good photos or video from
the island and/or the left bank at the eddie. There are no dangers around the play features except
for a pillow/pour over about 30' below the big wave. Overall the place is lots of fun!!! To get
back to your vehicle ferry back over to the river right bank near a large rock outcropping. There
is a sidewalk just above the rock outcropping that will lead you back to the road to your vehicle.
The easy hike back to your vehicle is about a 100 yards. That's all I have for now. I will try to
post some photos when I get them from Brad. Have a nice paddle!!!

As of 7/21/05, the access on river right to the Secret Spot is temporarily closed due to
construction of a new bridge. However, if you go after 5:00 when the workers are not there, it does
not "seem" to be a problem. Supposedly there is an access on the river left but all we
found was private property signs everywhere. Also, the construction of a new pylon has rerouted
about 1,000 cfs to the wave. Therefore, at 3,000 cfs on the gauge, it is almost washed out. I would
imagine that 1500 to 2000 would be an ideal level now. Enjoy!

From Laura:<br>
Here goes:<br>
<br>
The first rapid is Last Chance, it will follow shortly after you cross under the RR bridge. Just
about any line can be run through here with enough H20. You will see rocks in the river on your
left side, most people start about 15' or so to the right of these rocks, pinning possibility if
you go left of these rocks unless it is high water. Once you are headed down stay leftish &
look for the eddy that is behind these rocks or you can blow past the eddy and stay left. If ya
catch the eddy the wave hole below you is fun. (Look @ the picture on AW site)<br>
<br>
You will have a pool then On the Rocks is next. In the center of the river there is a setup eddy
behind a large rock start from here with an angle to river left, really depends on the level on how
the hole will be. If you don't angle your boat going into the drop you can get pushed up on the
rock in the bottom of this drop, hence the name. If you get pushed to the right of "the
rock" straighten your boat and look for a clean line, people pin here and some rocks are
undercut. Ideally go left of all the large rocks that will divide the river below the drop. Instead
of the drop you can also: boof on river left with enough H20, you would need to get out look @ the
rapid to get that line you can pin if you go too far left. Also there are creekin' lines to be had
on river right, it is better to follow someone who knows them or get out & look. (Look @ the
picture on AW site)<br>
<br>
Next is Jaws, which is a awesome playspot. Starts to get munchy around 2000 cfs, especially on
river right. 1500-1800 is my favorite play level. If the weather is nice you will have locals here.
People play here then hike the tracks back out. (Look @ the picture on AW site)<br>
<br>
You will have some class II-III type stuff then you will come up on Quarter Mile, probably the
toughest on the river, definitely the longest. You can boat scout your way through entrance to
Quarter Mile. At the start of Quarter Mile rapid you will find a large eddy on river left, plenty
of room. From here you can see down the first drop, there will be a curler wave, past that you will
see small eddies that can be caught. Hit the curler wave angled towards river right. On your left
there are some nasty pinning spots and sieves. You can easily get out of your boat in that eddy and
check out the hazards in the first drop. Catch one of the small eddies I mentioned earlier. From
here you will see a large rock on river right, peel out and head for the left side of that rock,
you want to stay pretty close to that rock 5-8' there will be a large hole on your left. Catch the
eddy behind that large rock you just passed. From here you will see a large rock kinda in the
center, on the immediate right side of that rock is Hungry Jack hole. You will want to be right of
that large rock avoiding the hole and then ferrying back left behind the large rock. DO NOT go left
of that large rock, there is a spot called No way Jose that is bad. There is a move called Tilt a
Whirl on the left of the rock, but you need to follow someone for that. From here it is boogey H20,
look for the horizon line - that will be Murphy's Ledge, almost a river wide hole. You can take a
far right or far left line, you can boat scout either side. Far left is the normal route, people
have said there is RR debris on the right. There is a fine line in the middle of the ledge, again
you should follow someone for this line.<br>
<br>
This will get you through the toughest part of the river. Next significant rapid is Roostertail.
Start river right and angle to river left for the first drop, avoiding hole on the right. After
that you will cut behind a large rock on river left.<br>
<br>
Rock Garden is deceiving and not easy to scout, the line is impossible to describe. The river will
bend to the right and filter down through a rock garden, keep your boat straight here, you will
broach if you get sideways, I have. You want to stay straight and bounce off the rocks.<br>
<br>
Railroad wall rapid is indicated by a large concrete railroad wall. This is a large hole. When you
see the horizon line get to the left eddy above it. There will be a rock in the center of the river
sticking up out of the H20. Cut against the left side of this rock, you will be skirting the hole
so keep it close to the rock.<br>
<br>
I have only described the real significant rapids, there is plenty of stuff in between the rapids I
have mentioned. Do Do Hole, Maggies, Twin Eddies (great play hole in the bottom), etc. and other
class II-III type stuff. Keep in mind you can scout almost anything on river left and carry
everything on the RR tracks. As I mentioned before, the Nolichucky is the coldest H20 I have been
in this winter, there are RR tracks but the river is remote, no hiking out to a road. Also after
last weeks flood keep your eyes open for new wood, I am sure it will be there, we came across some
last Sunday in Bama. 2000 cfs will be juicy for a first time run with no guide. Just because I have
given long descriptions does not mean that this is some kind of monster river (atleast not around
2000cfs) I am overly detailed, I guess.<br>
<br>
I love this area Erwin is great, I have a lot of good friends in this town and the locals are
always nice. Erwin Burrito is worth checking out as well, awesome spicy chicken quesadilla and
spicy chicken sandwich.<br>
<br>
Hope this helps, have a great time.