Tuckaseegee River Trip May 2015

Submitted by: Houston Winbigler

On May 17th Gretchen and I were past ready to refresh our spirits. After leaving work, we finished packing and decided to put as much distance between us and the Bluff City as we could.

We arrived early the next afternoon at the Lost Mine Campground in Wesser, North Carolina. The Lost Mine is the kind of campground that was around when we were kids - no concrete pads, no generators and no buzzing air conditioners. There are cozy campsites surrounded by trees and the constant sound of crystal clear Silver Creek rushing down the mountain through the campground on its way to join the Nantahala River.

The next day we drove to Fletcher, N.C., to pick up a a new kayak at the Liquid Logic factory.Their sales office did not typify corporate America-we were greeted at the door by several friendly canines who were enjoying the company’s dog friendly policy.

Thursday night’s temperature dipped into the forties and I had some concerns about paddling an Appalachian stream in cool weather. By ten Friday , Chuck,Diana, Gretchen, Kelly, Meg, Russ, Teresa, Spencer and I were on our way to the put in at Dillsboro, a picturesque town straddling the Tuckaseegee River.

The Tuck is a great stream for honing whitewater paddling skills. American Whitewater states that the Dillsboro run has seven class two rapids and Double Drop, a class 2+. There is enough current to improve ferrying techniques and there are many mid stream boulders to practice “must-make eddy turns.” We had such a good time, we ran the same stretch the next morning joined by Teresa’s daughter, Lauren and her fiance, Stephen. After we passed Shark’s Tooth rapid Meg asked if she had been through a class three. I replied that I didn’t think there were any on that section; but the next day she Kelly, Chuck and Spencer ran the Nantahala from class three Patton’s Run on through the class three Falls upright and with dry hair. For most this was their first trip down the Nanty and all paddled remarkably well and were great sports.

We had perfect weather and a perfect group of paddlers. Thanks to all who made it possible.