Once there was a legend that told of a river that went to hear a fountain sing. The song was so beautiful that the river decided to sing it to the ocean. All the way to the shores of the ocean the river sang. Soon, the mountains heard of the song that the river was singing and came from all over the land to listen. And because the song was so beautiful the mountains settled down and stayed to listen forever.
—Algonquin Indian Legend
Dedicated to Ramone Eaton
A man who canoed as he lived—with grace and charm—laid his paddle to rest on April 25, 1980. It will be a while before another like him will paddle with us.
Copyright © 1981, 1987, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2005 by Bob Benner and David Benner
All rights reserved
Published by Menasha Ridge Press
Distributed by Publishers Group West
Printed in the United States of America
Ninth edition, first printing
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Benner, Bob.
Carolina whitewater: a paddler’s guide to the Carolinas / Bob Benner and David Benner. —9th ed.
p. cm.
Rev. ed. of: A canoeing and kayaking guide to the Carolinas. 8th ed. 2002
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-89732-617-9
1. Canoes and canoeing—North Carolina—Guidebooks. 2. Canoes and canoeing—South Carolina—Guidebooks. 3. Kayaking—North Carolina—Guidebooks. 4. Kayaking—South Carolina—Guidebooks. 5. North Carolina—Guidebooks. 6. South Carolina—Guidebooks. I. Benner, David, 1955– II. Benner, Bob. Canoeing and kayaking guide to the Carolinas. III. Title.
GV776.N74B46 2005
917.56—dc22
2005041567
Cover photo: Copyright © David Benner
Cover design: Bud Zehmer
Text design: Ann Marie Healy
Photos on by David Benner.
Photo on by Dennis Huntley. Photos on by A. Ingle. Photo on by L. Baker.
Menasha Ridge Press
P.O. Box 43673
Birmingham, Alabama 35243
The authors will appreciate any pertinent comments, corrections, or suggestions which might prove valuable in any future editions.
DISCLAIMER
While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of this guidebook, river and road conditions can change greatly from year to year. This book is intended as a general guide. Whitewater paddling is an assumed-risk sport. The decision to run a river can be made only after an on-the-spot inspection, and a run should not be attempted without proper equipment and safety precautions. The authors and publisher of Carolina Whitewater: A Paddler’s Guide to the Western Carolinas are not responsible for any personal or property damage that may result from your activities. By using any part of this guide, you recognize and assume all risks and acknowledge that you are responsible for your own actions.
Table of Contents
North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers
HIAWASSEE AND LITTLE TENNESSEE WATERSHED
