Raven Fork, North Carolina, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | V+ (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 2.6 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 390 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 560 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCONALUFTEE RIVER AT BIRDTOWN, NC | ||||
| usgs-03512000 | 800 - 3000 cfs | V+ | 00h19m | 512 cfs (rc= -0.1 ) |
Note: By order of the Cherokee Tribal Council, that portion of the Raven Fork crossing the Qualla Boundary (the official name of their reservation) is closed to boating. The bottom portion of this run is located on the reservation -- it is illegal to boat it. Carefully read the additional information below.
The majority of the Upper Raven fork is outside of the Cherokee Reservation. A good portion of
the run is in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. However the takeout is squarely in
reservation grounds. Please note that the Raven Fork within the reservation is presently closed
to boating.
Don't even think about paddling the Raven Fork with out politely obtaining permission from those
who live at the take out. There are two variations on getting to the put-in. If you're good
enough to be on this run you'll track down that info from one of the local experts.
Some of the larger named drops include (not in order), Jedi Training, Harjes Rapid (where Chris
blew out his shoulder), Cave Man, Anaconda, Headless Horseman, Mortal Kombat, Mike Tyson's
punchout, Big Boy, Atomic Elbow Crusher, Mangler and others.
The top mile accessed via the Enloe Creek Trail is 400 feet. The next two are the same, but a
bulk of the gradient is in the middle at 560 ft/mile, and the 3/4 mile stretch from jedi training
through mangler is 730 ft/mile. As steep as the steepest 3/4 mile on road prong, but pool drop.
Tell me that aint the steepest 3/4 mile of boating in the SE.
Online gauges consist of:
1) The Oconaluftee USGS of which the Raven Fork is a tributary.However since this gauge is a considerable distance downstream - and not actually on the Raven Fork itself, the Oconaluftee gauge may not always accurately reflect actual water levels in the Raven Fork.
2) For the visual bridge take-out gauge, most of the reported runs have been from a minumum of 7 inches, to close to two feet. Keep in mind the numbers on the gauge(10,20,etc), are not feet! They are inches. So when its at 10 its 10 inches, not 1.0 feet. This has caused confusion in the past when making visuals.
3)An new gauge has been reported: the Swain County Gauge (aka "Trout Farm SG")
This gauge (aka "Trout Farm SG") has been directly observed to correlate with the visual gauge on the take out bridge so that a 4.5" bridge reading = 0.9 on the above Trout Farm gauge. While more data points are needed (please post them below!) it is currently assumed that a 1.1' reading on the Trout Farm gauge = 7" (minimum level) on the takeout bridge gauge.
The trout farm gauge is overall highly suspect, and using rainfall graphics, precipitation gauges, radar info, and other beta will help tune you in better to what's going on. Use the trout farm gauge to see that the creek is responding, but going over when it is less than 1.3 and nothing else suggests runnable levels can often yield a skunking. The visual gauge has read 10 inches on one occasion when the trout farm gauge was 1.3, and on another occasion the visual gauge has read 3 inches when the trout farm gauge read 1.3. Often it jumps to rediculous numbers like 210.3 and 37.4 for no reason. Take it with a grain of salt.A good rule of thumb is if the West Prong ran good one day, Raven Fork will the next. With a watershed of 20 square miles and nice channelizing bedrock, this one goes often, and an inch of rain at Pin Oak Gap and or Newfound Gap is all it takes to get it going. In the winter those totals can get it going high.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCONALUFTEE RIVER AT BIRDTOWN, NC | ||||||||||||
| usgs-03512000 | 800 - 3000 cfs | V+ | 00h19m | 512 cfs (rc= -0.1 ) | ||||||||
|
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||||||||||||
| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raven Fork [NC] |
Right Right
|
7" | Adam Goshorn | |
| Raven Fork [NC] |
Boof Above Big Boy
|
13 | Jerry Jascomb | |
| Raven Fork [NC] |
Caveman
|
low | Kirk Eddlemon | |
| Raven's Fork [NC] |
Raven's Fork Gorge 2 (Aerial Shot)
|
Too Low | Brandon Hughett | |
| Raven Fork [NC] |
Raven's Fork Gorge
|
n/a | Matt Muir | |
| Raven Fork [NC] |
Raven Fork Buggie
|
10" | Daniel Talley | |
| Raven Fork2. Enloe Creek Trail to Big Cove Road [NC] |
Some Raven Big Stuff
|
n/a | Daniel Talley | |
| 2y140d03h52m | @Raven Fork 2. Enloe Creek Trail to Big Cove Road | Account of 10/06/09 | n/a | |
| 2y140d03h52m | @Raven Fork 2. Enloe Creek Trail to Big Cove Road |
Account of 10/06/09
|
n/a | n/a |
| 3y45d10h47m | Raven Fork [NC] |
Canoe Firing Up Mortal Kombat
|
10" | dooley tombras |
| 5y83d03h29m | /Raven Fork-The Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork [NC] |
Raven's
|
14 inches | Dallas Shaw |
| 6y212d19h47m | Raven Fork [NC] |
Mortal Kombat (5)
|
13" | Jerry Jascomb |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | Big Boof | 5.0 |    |
| 0.5 | Easy Slide | IV |  |
| 0.8 | Fluffy | 5.0 | |
| 1.0 | Lord of the Rings | 5.0 | |
| 1.1 | Anaconda | 5.2 |  |
| 1.2 | Headless Horseman | 5.1 |  |
| 1.2 | Class 4 with wood | | |
| 1.3 | Right Right | 5.0 | |
| 1.3 | Razorback | 5.1 | |
| 1.3 | Log Slot | IV+ | |
| 1.4 | Unnamed boogie | IV | |
| 1.4 | Hale Mary | 5.3 | |
| 1.4 | Jedi Training | 5.0 | |
| 1.4 | More unnammed boogie | IV | |
| 1.4 | Mortal Combat | 5.1 | |
| 1.5 | Boof above Big Boy | IV | |
| 1.5 | Wet Willy | 5.1 | |
| 1.6 | Big Boy | 5.3 | |
| 1.6 | Super Collider | 5.2 | |
| 1.6 | Atomic Elbow Crusher | 5.2 | |
| 1.7 | Mike Tyson's Punchout | 5.2 | |
| 1.7 | Caveman | 5.1 | |
| 1.7 | Harjes Rapid | 5.0 | |
| 1.9 | Mangler | 5.3 | |
| 2.1 | Little Headless Horseman | IV+ |
Raven Fork BuggieFun and Easy
Some Raven Big Stuff20 foot waterfall into a big pothole on the right. Run center.
Jedi Training
Mortal Kombat - Entrance
Boof Above Big BoyRight below Wet Willy are two boofs. The second one signals its time to get out on the right above Big Boy.
Center Line at Wet WillyThe centerline is the easiest, and has a great boof at the bottom, but watch the cave on the left. Right is best with good water, a straightforward flume. Some run the left, but it is least common.
Big BoyThis is reputed to be the most serious drop in the Southeast. No one seems to argue about it. 35 foot drop with the finest of lines. Easier lower.
Mike Tyson's Punch OutThis one drops more vert than any other and is definitely the most out of control. Its huge and will blow your mind. Must run!
CavemanOne of the harder and more technical rapids. The first drop is pushy, leading into a sticky hole right above second drop, a jagged ledge you want to run far left. Then the classic third drop, where you boof the left wall 10 feet and land on a righty so you don't go spelunking. Check the cave out afterwards, or before, if you like setting safety.
Raven's Fork Gorge reach
state
reachlink
2. Enloe Creek Trail to Big Cove Road, Raven Fork North Carolina, US (mobile)
User Comments
http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1659925 June 25, 2009 - If you didn't catch it, an
overturned kayak was found just outside of the Smokies on the MP of the Little Pigeon. It spurred a
search and rescue scenario that was serious enough for it to be reported to local TV stations. Not
sure of the outcome and I hope everyone is OK. But this did raise a very significant question. Who
do we notify when we a boat gets pinned or gets out of our control in the Smokies and darkness or
other circumstances force us to abandon it for any period of time? My friend Russell asked this
question and this was his post on a local paddling list serve. I asked the GSMNP folks what would
be the best way to report a lost boat.Here is their reply: Hello, If there is a report of an
accident or missing person, the park responds and/or conducts a search, but just finding an empty
kayak in the water would not necessarily result in a full-fledged search and rescue effort as the
town of Pittman Center launched during the recent incident. If one of your club members loses a
boat, but is otherwise okay, please call the park's Dispatch Office at (865) 436-1230 to let them
know that an empty boat may be found and it is not an emergency situation. This is a non-emergency
line which is staffed from 6:00 a.m. - midnight, but if a serious accident or other emergency has
occurred in the park, sometimes all available dispatchers have to concentrate on radio
communications among responding units and don't answer the line. If there is an accident with a
serious injury or a member of your party is known to be missing, please call 911. Best regards,C.
BloomGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
<br>
Forum: BoaterTalk<br>
Date: Mar 21 2005, 16:41 GMT<br>
From: waterfrk09<br>
<br>
As TDUB suggested and our group confirmed on Saturday, you can get down as low as 4 in. On Saturday
the level was exactly that. The road leading to the old railroad bed was blocked by a truck so we
opted to make the hike up and over. The hike sucks, just shoulder it and go. 2 miles up and 1 down
felt about right.<br>
<br>
It being the entire groups first time, we took every bit of daylight we had and scouted everything.
A summary of the rapids at this level:<br>
<br>
Big 15 boof up top with large wood exit, sketchy but runnable, easy portage on the left<br>
<br>
Lord of the Rings - great rapid, watch the alcove on the left that someone in our group visited<br>
Anaconda - I would be very surprised if anyone would run it, we sure as hell didn't<br>
Headless Horseman - Would have gone if it hadn't had been for the badly misplaced wood at the top
of the slide, could still be run but sketch<br>
Right right - Cant see the big log on the left until you are in the rapid, easy to avoid<br>
Jedi Training - A little confused about which one this is but if it was the one that I think, good
to go<br>
There was a big two tiered slide in here (name?) - Punched hole on top and took dry line down the
middle on the second. Right side drops off into nasty seam<br>
Mortal Kombat - plenty of water just try not to dry out after first drop and get right but not far
right for second drop<br>
Wet Willy - we ran the center line with a great boof at the bottom, right line is a no go and the
left appeared good but didn't scout<br>
We portaged the set at Big Boy to the bottom of Atomic Elbow Crusher, didn't think the carry was
that bad possibly because the ground wasn't as wet as normal?<br>
Mike Tysons - "trip highlight" for sure, curler isn't very big but big enough to send you left off
the final drop. Right wall on final drop is close to head height with probably 60-70 % of the flow
slamming into it. I glanced it with my shoulder, John was fine being about a foot to the left.<br>
Harjes Rapid - Fine, was quicker to portage than to set safety and run since it was approaching
dusk at this point<br>
Caveman- portaged all three high on the left, couldn't find a way down to run the third drop<br>
Ran 3(4?) class 4s then eddied and portaged Mangler on the right, seal launched next to log at the
bottom.<br>
The last few drops sucked with one sliding into and under a wall on the right, took a big hit to my
shoulder on that one<br>
<br>
Emmanuel is one cool guy, we hung out for at least an hour, possibly two. Cant wait to go back with
more water. The road to the top of Anaconda is shut down as of Saturday. Definately the best run I
have ever done even considering the low ass water<br>
<br>
Adam Griffin<br>
<br>
<br>
Manuel at the takeout likes Budweiser. (they usally get him a 12 pack inexchange for parking
privilidges)<br>
<br>
He's a super cool guy to talk to as well - been all over the world.<br>
<br>
On the drive up to the putin hike there is an almost exposed drain pipe in the road. BE AWARE OF
THE PIPES AND DON"T BREAK THEM!! We damn near lost access due to someone driving over this
pipe, breaking it, and pissing off the folks who live up there. The pipe is right after you turn
right onto gravel at the top of the driveway. or at least in the first couple hundred yards. I
think it's on the right side of the road (showing in the rut) but I haven't been up there in a
while so that could be wrong.<br>
<br>
The put-in and take-out are both on private property, the bridge and "public" road are
actually tribal land, and the whole thing is such that it's a miracle we have access at all. don't
fuck it up.<br>
L
about Ravens put-in/take-out (please read) New<br>
<br>
Forum: BoaterTalk<br>
<br>
Date: Jun 02 2004, 23:06 GMT<br>
From: BAyoung<br>
<br>
recently people have been abusing the generosity of of the locals. The nice man who allows us to
take out on his land usually receives some compensation (beer or smokes) but people have just
pulled up and parked without asking. Also people who have not made it all the way up the put in
raod have left their cars blockin gthe road. this not only prevents others from getting up, but
specifically their is a landowner who lives up there and this is essentially his driveway. I would
encourage people not to discuss the details of where the put-in/take out are on this board due to
nature of the situation on tribal lands. those who go to the raven can easily call someone who has
been for the necessary details. i would hate to lose this resource as there are no other backups
available and people put in a lot of work to establish this. Thanks. -Chris Young<br>
<br>
Ravens: 569<br>
Toxaway: 596<br>
Road Prong: 616<br>
<br>
book is coming right along....only another month or two till the writing is all done!<br>
<br>
Leland
From: SEBoater<br>
<br>
Anaconda (has wood)<br>
Headless Horseman<br>
Right Right<br>
? (has wood)<br>
Jedi Training (tree @ top, but room to get under it)<br>
?<br>
Mortal Combat (wood, but easily avoided)<br>
Wet Willey<br>
Big Boy (wood)<br>
?<br>
?<br>
Atomic Elbow Cruncher<br>
Mike Tyson's Punch Out<br>
Harjes' rapid<br>
Caveman<br>
the Mangler<br>
<br>
the question marks have names, but I'm not positive on what they are. the warm-up starts out big
& then it gets bigger.<br>
<br>
& a few in the boogie water that would probably have names if they were on any other run.<br>
<br>
Ted<br>
<br>
on. The gauge at the bridge registered 20inches. The drop below headless horsemen has new wood in
it. The drop below caveman also has wood in it. Run far left on that one. Caveman, Mortal, Mike
Tyson, Headless, and Anaconda were clean of wood.<br>
<br>
Scott
<br>
a short partage for some wood in the third rapid - but the rapid was run pre-wood.<br>
<br>
portage around hail mary which you can scoot over in your boat (has been successfully run once by
tao, but it didn't look pretty).<br>
<br>
portage at the mangler - this drop still hasn't been run.<br>
<br>
even with those portages and another at big boy, i ran more hard rapids in a mile there than i have
anywhere else. maybe run 'em again tomorrow...<br>
<br>
Leland
Forum: BoaterTalk<br>
Date: Jun 20 2003, 12:38 GMT<br>
From: SEBoater<br>
<br>
right right is clean<br>
the log is gone from the pool @ jedi training<br>
thw log in the lead in to mortal combat is gone<br>
<br>
new wood between atomic elbow crusher & mike tyson<br>
the log in mike tyson, at the top boof, is gone<br>
<br>
2 trees have fallen @ the top of caveman, several branches are hanging halfway in the first drop.
it would be easy to cut them out with a small hand saw.<br>
<br>
Thursday<br>
Oconluftee @ 850<br>
bridge guage @ 12"<br>
<br>
Ted<br>
<br>
WOW:<br>
went back to the Raven Fork yesterday and it is even better with higher water. We had about 1'
3" on the "Tony Robinson" guage - a good bit higher than the "Freshwater"
footage. Big group of 8, but great weather and we all had good lines. No broken boats, paddles,
bones etc.<br>
Highlights:<br>
Daniel D's backward "anaconda" run. So good he went back and came down backwards
again.<br>
The surfs at Headless Horseman<br>
Running Leelans's new "waterspout" line blind (3'wide exit)<br>
Pat Keller surfing the 1/2 way hole in Mortal Kombat.<br>
My piton of the log about 2.5' above the water just below.<br>
Pat's near "face shot" into "elbow-basher" wall.<br>
Mike Tyson's punch-out -<br>
- this is now one of my favorite rapids ever.<br>
10' ledge into a long curler-packed 30' slide and off about 20' vert. Like a creek-version of
Oceana after an approach series. Big trip highlight.<br>
<br>
The Negatives:<br>
The hike-in. over one log, under the next for 2 1/2 miles.<br>
Continuity: pool drop, but a blown skirt or broken paddle could spell disaster. At this level, set
safety below every rapid.<br>
Cold: about 20 degrees colder in the gorge than on the hike.<br>
Walking Big Boy:<br>
long and steep and loose - makes you feel like hucking and hoping . . only the next 2 rapids aren't
friendly at all. We hiked the set.<br>
The other portages:<br>
some BAD undercuts/logs etc along the way.<br>
Daniel's near first Descent:<br>
only one drop still unrun, and Daniel D just about dropped in backwards. Good thing he's such a
scrambler. All those 200% days on the Green really paid off.<br>
Daniel, Jason Hale, and Al G hittin it again today.<br>
Good luck, boys -<br>
Clay