Chattooga River

[timothy.davis]

I am contemplating riding down to the Chattooga River this spring for a white water rafting trip. Would be interested places to stay (camping or hotel)in the area and suggestions on which section of the river to run.

 

[jwhuls]

It has been a few years, but I think the lower has a little better scenery. Your outfitter should have some camping available. I would stick with that. Just makes everything easier to be close to where you need to be.

 

[patrickg450]

so I guess I am lost, the TN tive in Chat or is there a diff river? We have done some rafting in East TN (tri-cities). If you are close to Chat go do the Occoee which is just east and the riding is amazing. I have some tracks and info is you go that route. If you go a diff then I totally expect you to share with me.

 

[timothy.davis]

The river I am referring to is in the Carolinas and Georgia. It’s the river they filmed Deliverance on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattooga_River

 

[MrTwisty]

The Ocoee is better IMHO. The Ocoee almost continuous action, while the Chattooga is pools and drops. Also, the Ocoee is dam fed, while the Chattooga is not. Therefore, if it hasn't rained in a while, the Chattooga will suck. Both can be gnarly, but the Chattooga is slightly more gnarly, so the guides are extremely cautious, only allowing one raft at a time through each rapid. You'll play bumper rafts on the Ocoee, which can be fun.

Look me up when you come.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[klunsford]

If that is the case, if you hear banjo music RUN! ::025::

 

[tomatocity]

Check "Tent Space" on ADV.

 

[patrickg450]

The river I am referring to is in the Carolinas and Georgia. It’s the river they filmed Deliverance on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattooga_River

thanks for the info, new to me. So when are we going? I do agree with the poster about doing the Occoee.

 

[timothy.davis]

One of the reasons I want to take the Chattooga is because of the small volume and multiple stage drops. I purchased ten and one half foot Udisco NOVA white water raft while station at Lowery Air Force Base Colorado. Must add that it was a joint services calibration school and I was in the Marine Corps. I primarily learned to raft on the South Platte River starting up around Decker's. We ventured down to the confluence of the North Fork of the South Platte River by the old hotel. The Platte was small volume and a narrow river, lots of small drops that required finesse to navigate. During flood you could zoom on down except for the shoots. We also did the North Fork of the South Platte during flood which was also pretty technical. I did the larger volume Arkansas River from Johnson City from to Salida. Next duty station was Iwakuni Japan and the Nishki River was another small technical river. Another reason for wanting to do the Chattooga is the Film Deliverance. I was seventeen in 1972 when we did a fifty seven day long, five hundred plus mile long trip down the Churchill River in Northern Manitoba Canada. Three people in one twenty foot Grumman canoe on a scouting adventure. Our scout master was one of the three and did not allow the viewing of Deliverance till the journey home. I do not think we would have gone if we had seen the movie beforehand. The Chattooga is one of those bucket list things.

http://www.forgey-cabin.com/1972canoeexpedition.html

 

[patrickg450]

I grew up in Douglas County CO, moved to Aurora when I was a teen. I got ya.

OK so when are we doing this?

 

[timothy.davis]

I just sent a feeler to N.O.C. inquiring about favorable time of year for water levels

 

[patrickg450]

please keep me (US) posted

 

[KYwoodsrider]

Have you considered camping at Two Wheels of Suches
http://twowheelsofsuches.com/

It's a really nice MC campground in North GA
Lots of great riding in the area

 

[wtwill]

Have you considered camping at Two Wheels of Suches
http://twowheelsofsuches.com/

It's a really nice MC campground in North GA
Lots of great riding in the area

::026::

Fantastic riding in that area. GA triangle, Richard Russell Scenic Hwy, and they just paved Hwy 180 near Suches. Lots of USFS roads nearby as well if you like gravel roads.

 

[FLEX]

I can't help with river info, but camping can be found at several nearby places such as Blue Valley, Tallulah Gorge, Lakemont just to name a few, or if you prefer, reasonable hotel rates can be found in Clayton and Dillard. Hope this helps, happy trails!

 

[timothy.davis]

I am in communications with the folks from Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) about the trip. Best river conditions are usually in the April /May time frame. Will post a will do date as plans come together.

 

[rfulcher]

Chattooga section 3 = class 3-4 drop pool not very difficult. A guide is a good idea.
Chattooga section 4 = class 4-5 drop pool. The rapids are more technical with bigger drops. Sometimes the pools between drops are small. Some of the rapids have hidden dangers. Gotta have someone who knows section 4 in your group to run it safely.
Ocoee , class 3-4 almost constant rapids and fast pushy water.

Most kayakers run the Nantahala, Chattooga section 3, Ocoee, and then Chattooga section 4 as they build experience. The Chattooga is more senic and the Ocoee is more constant rapids.

Lots of great roads and camping available around these rivers. NOC is a great resource.

I did a lot of boating in the area 10+ years ago. I hope the above is still current.


All would be great on a guided trip