Little, Alabama, US
|
|
3. Eberharts Point (Chairlift) to Canyon Mouth Campground (Chairlift)
| Usual Difficulty |
III-IV (for normal flows) |
| Length |
6 Miles |
Eddyhop
EddyhopPhoto of Will Reeves by Ed Ditto @ 500 cfs
Gauge Information
River Description
a Class III run, with two (2) class IV. Most rapids are straight ahead. Both Class IV can be
portaged on river right. The first, Blue Hole Memorial, is just after the second big bend to the
left. Scout on right. This rapid is followed by a 150 yd continuous wave train. At the bottom of
the wave train is a large hole, but not a keeper. The next is the Alabama classic Bottleneck.This
beautiful rapid would be right at home nestled in the Suicide section ,but is somehow stuck all
alone way down here. Water on the far right side of the river flows into a pool, from which you can
scout the main drop. Thinking about running this one, catch the first big eddy on the right, just
after some water has gone far right. From here on the rapids are fast and straight. Everything is
runnable and there are only a few places that are shallow. This section is a move up from the
Locust Fork, or Nantahala River, particularly the two Class IV's and the long wave train.
To get to the take out, take Hwy 35 from Interstate 59 east to AL hwy 273. Go south (turn right)
until you cross Little River. The next hard top road to the right, approximately 1/4 mile, goes to
Canyon Mouth Park. Now operated by the National Park Service, it doesn't open until 8:00 am. There
are bath rooms only. You'll see the USGS gauge station behind the bath house. To get to the put in,
on your way out of the park you'll see a steep road off to the right. Turn right, at the top of the
hill, (fire tower) turn right and follow the road until you pass over Johnny's creek. Up the steep
hill (50 degree) the canyon rim roads turns right, this is the long way to the put in. To shorten
the distance, turn left. Pass Black Oak Church and intersect with AL hwy 176. Turn right and you
will eventually pass the old amusement park, on the left. Just before the road biforcates (splits)
there is a locked gate on the right. Here is a grass covered road down to the put in, approximately
1/2 mile.
If you are staying overnight, the best camping is at Desota State Park off hwy 35 on hwy 89.
Primitive camping is available for $8/night for two people. Improved camping with heated bathrooms
and hot showers is $15/night, two night min on weekends.
Note: Some cars and trucks were broken into on 11-13-04 at Canyon Mouth Park
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2006-01-16 20:47:08
Chad at Bottleneck
User Comments
5.7 at during shuttle, 6.7 at take out. The originall write up is unclear and leads you to believe
that the class IVs are the first rapids. i will agree most of this river is run and gun as most
rapids are large wave trains and fairly straightforward. the first rapid is a hole just above a
small drop into another hole followed by a long wave train.burl through the holes and you should
come out clean.a couple more rapids primarily wave trains with some grabby crosscurrents lead you
up to blue hole memorial(IV) portage/scout/ sneak route (at this level) on river right. a wavetrain
that never seems to end is up next, run and gun this one as well. you will hear Bottleneck coming.
it consists of several drops upstream leading to a large drop into a humongous hole( flushy) run
this botom drop just right of river center(get speed to punch the hole). there is a long recovery
pool at the bottom of bottleneck. from here on out its full-on run and gun reading. massive waves
give you a wild ride, but there are enough lulls for you to catch your breath. description says a
step up from the nantahala or the locust fork. maybe at lower levels big water makes this closer to
a step up from the ocoee. beautiful scenery and exciting water make this a great run, but you are
in a canyon so bring the endurance as a walk out is nearly impossible. i will bring a camera and
get some explanative pictures as well as give a more accurate description of the rapids. paddle on.
jason pomeroy (TN)
right and there is a clear passage on the right hand side. Kind of hug the roots as you go around
and avoid the rock just down stream. Once you pass the tree's roots move left to the middle of the
river.
<p>
We knew we'd be running late and left our cars outside the gates on Saturday. The national park
rangers ask that we park all of the way off the road. About 30 yards from the gates is a little
clearing off to the side of the road. It is best to park there if you must be outside the gates.
The ranger we spoke to kindly waited for us to drive in, change clothes in the bathrooms and load
our gear before locking the gate even though we were already 30 minutes past closing. Thank you!
</p>
correlation for the Blue Pond gage and the Hwy 35 bridge gage. These levels should be considered in
flux, because the Blue Pond gage will be recalibrated in the near future, as water levels permit.
(3/1/05)<br>
<br>
Blue Pond = 35 Bridge<br>
<br>
500-650 cfs = -2.0<br>
650-800 cfs = -1.0<br>
800-1100 cfs = 0.0<br>
1100-1300 cfs = 2.0<br>
1400-1500 cfs = 4.0<br>
1600-1700 cfs = 6.0<br>
2000-2100 cfs = 7.0<br>
2100-2200 cfs = 8.0<br>
2600-2700 cfs = 12.0<br>
<br>
I have an Excel 2000 spreadsheet that predicts the levels for Little River and several other rivers
in the southeast. If you'd like a copy of this spreadsheet e-mail me at
H2Olevelcheck@boatingbeta.com and I will send it to you. I only check this address weekly, so
pardon me if I don't get back to you right away.<br>
<br>
Paddle Safe - Rob Maxwell