The Runs of Walden’s Ridge Tennessee.

By: Mark Cumnock

Walden’s Ridge is located just north of Chattanooga Tennessee, and is really the same chunk of plateau as Sand Mountain in northern Alabama. It slopes east to west rather than west, is not as wide, and has longer harder runs than most on southern Sand Mountain creeks. Readers should keep in mind that Mark is a highly skilled paddler and many of these runs are considered Class V.

Soak Creek in the Summer

Over the years I have been asked about the runs of Walden’s Ridge, I had the pleasure of growing up part of my life in Chattanooga Tennessee, and for a brief time even living on Walden’s Ridge right in the heart of  the Morgan, Roaring, Brush and McGill Creek put-in area. Also I haven’t included any directions; we now live in the day of Wal-Mart topo maps and turn by turn GPS directions. The nicest thing I think of the ridge runs is the easy shuttles. Hwy 27 is usually your take out, or gets you very close, and you have to go up to the mountain to make the run, so that makes it even easier. Hence, now know you how we came up with name "Falling Off Walden's Ridge" for our first video.

I have not rated the rapids, I’ve always had a hard time with that, as Bailey Johnson of Clinch River Paddle Company taught me “Run class V lines in class III and run class III lines in class V”. And it seems classifications are always up for debate, and what might be my fun run, might be your Waterloo or vice-versa.  I haven’t listed any gauges or water levels either it seems that they are always changing in some point, but they make a great reference. I just don’t want to be cussed out at the take out the next time I see you, or get flamed on Boatertalk.com, you telling me how you made a trip for nothing or something like that. Or how 1/10 of one inch is the norm for a hand painted gauge painted on the side of a tree out in the middle of nowhere. Usually ½” to 1”of consistent rain that falls into a weekly pattern is your best bet. But then again what watersheds aren’t like that. Pay camping can be had a Blue Water Campground (not up to par) in Dayton, Tennessee, where they have a telephone and hot showers, but I cannot recommend it but I felt like I had to mention it. You can camp free at a rustic campground at the headwater/put-in of Newby Branch, camp before June, and you will have it all to yourself. It is maintained (sort-of) by Bowater Paper Company. There is also more pay camping above Spring City, you can see the signs while driving North up Hwy 27, but I have never checked them out.

I hope you will enjoy the descriptions of the wonderful creeks The Ridge has to offer. Some of these need to be enjoyed now due to urban sprawl and clear cutting from the chip mills, that is creeping up on the headwaters of these fine runs. I must also note after having e-mail conversations with Ted Hayes, he has informed that the creeks don’t run a much as they use to, due to clear cutting and other unknown factors. So get out there and enjoy them now before it is too late.

Hope you enjoy these...............

 Falling Water

Falling Water, Tennessee

 By the way what a cool name for a town, imagine that on your mailing address.

 Falling Water is a big drop run, with three big notable rapids, the upper section was first run by Tim Williams and then it was first run all the way to the valley by Marc Lyle and his gang, but many just run the big three and then carry back up to the car, the put-in is really neat and it is in a land trust, very pretty area. Wayne Gentry’s video “Vertical Addiction” has great footage of this scenic run. This one runs a lot after summer down pours for some reason which is a nice break from the crowds on the Ocoee, but you need to be close. Wayne Gentry’s videos are out of print, and getting harder to find, but well worth the trouble.

 North Chickamauga Creek:

Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

 The North Chickamauga internet gauge is hard for me to dial in for the tributaries of the North Chick. The gauge is downstream on the new Hwy 27 where the Corps of Engineers moved a lot of material for flood control ,and now the locals are removing rock for landscaping material, and to make matters worse there is an upside down car heading it’s way towards the gauge as you read this. But the gauge is very helpful and stops you from burning a lot of wasted fuel. The Chick needs to be on the high marginal side for Cooper and Cain creek. An old school way of knowing if Cooper or Cain were running was to look at the mountain, when driving over the Chick on old Hwy 27. When you look at the high voltage transmission power lines on the cliff at the top of the mountain, there is a seasonal waterfall running usually only running when Cain or Cooper are running. If don’t see the waterfall…..well you can do the math.

 To me the Chick is a cross between running the Chattooga five falls section on Section IV, and Jerod’s knee on the Tellico; but much, much longer, and more rapids to boot. I never bonded with the Chick, but I was always accused of running ditches. It is a very beautiful run, and it’s very hard to believe how close it is to Chattanooga and yet you still come away with a sense of a wilderness experience.

Cain Creek- North Chick Tributary

Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

Cain Creek runs into the Chick upstream of Cooper Creek. It can be seen on Milt Atkins “Tales of the Paddlesnake” video series.  The biggest rapid here is named Vortex which to my knowledge was first explored by me and Jonathon “Lothar” Clarady at very low water during the summer of 1995. I was at the edge with Jonathon holding the end of my boat, while I looked wondering if it would go or not. I said “NO” he thought I said “GO” and let go. Before I knew it I had the look of shock on my face looking back at a drop I couldn’t believe I just ran, and wanted nothing to do with. Cain was first opened up by Andy Turner, Doug Wellman, Terry Smith, and local pioneer Ron Stewart. This is a neat run that helps get you to the Chick. The trick for me when it comes to running Vortex is to boof the dry rock in the middle, then slide right, right into the meat of the drop. The washout reminds me of Gorilla’s washout on the Narrows of the Green, in North Carolina, and this one will reward you for a good line unlike Gorilla, I think Gorilla should have been named “Random Number Generator”, yet I digress. The sweetest line I have ever seen run at Vortex, was the late Jon Lord , he nailed that line, and made me feel old in an instant. Jon will be missed; he was a good boater, good man.

cooper creek photo by brian "cock-o" collins (reverse image)

Soddy Creek

Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

 Soddy Creek can be run when the Chick is high or for that matter; lot’s of different levels, this one is a funky when it comes to water levels, BUT BEWARE it is probably one of the most dangerous runs on the ridge, everything it seems is undercut, even the fun rapids have penalty points, the mentality on the this run” Is not if, but when.”

 Soddy can also be run VERY LOW; but the undercuts are more exposed, but when others aren’t running this one will be. If it looks boney at the take out, you can still run it. A strong group with rescue skills is needed for this run, you need more that a throw bag to be safe and without the right gear and people, this run can turn epic. I always liked a strong group that you could count on. To my knowledge this run was first opened up by Doug Wellman, Terry Smith, and Ron Stewart.

 deep creek photo by brian "cock-o" collins......first descent

Deep Creek:

Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

 Deep Creek that runs into Soddy Creek is a great run; lot’s of fun steep creekin with some minor penalty points. Jim Little, Andy Bridge, Bailey Johnson, Mike “Louie” Lewis, Brian Collins and I first ran this and it is a great run, it is also in the video “Steep Creekin’”. The video does not show the rapids in order. We had 2 cameras, and it was getting late in the editing room, but it shows you a lot of that run. Soddy Creek needs to be very high for this fun run, when you hit Soddy you will feel like you need training wheels, after the low flow of Deep.  2” inch of winter rain helps this run.

Big Possum Creek:

Bakewell, Tennessee

 Big Possum Creek, It is the easiest run up there, it has a straight shot off the plateau, but yet lacks in gradient, a great run someone who wants no hair at all on their run. 1” of winter rain for this run. Flash floods have always been a problem for both of the Little Possum Creek and Big Possum, and Big usually has a problem with trees. This one was first run by me and Justin Howard in the summer of 1994, we were somewhat disappointed, but this run can go up a notch, when Little Possum is too high and when you are already in the area; this creek this could be the run for you.

 little possum creek photo by Mike Clark ...........First Descent

rapid Imodium

Little Possum Creek:

Bakewell, Tennessee

 One of my favorite runs. Jim Little, Steve Frazier, Wade Verbal, Todd Gould, Mike Clark, Bill Thornton and I got the first run on this one also. It took two attempts, and to make a long story short, we first got caught in a flash flood.(You should listen to you inner voice, if its rained three days straight, and still raining , what makes you think its dropping?) The headwaters are really hurting from clear cutting, and the chip mill in Spring City is making it worse. 2” late spring or winter rain is good, but you have to be close, and in the area, for this one drops fast. It has probably the biggest, cleanest, highest quality and number of drops on the ridge. A Camera is a must. This run as killed and I recommend a strong group for this run due to the bad karma .But the DROPS ARE GREAT …Imodium Falls is a great drop. Elvis’s Truck Stop I heard has messed some more people up, as it did on our first trip, and it is the first major rapid on the top section, the undercut can be deceiving it comes up quicker than you think …the Double Drop  it is a “Suck it up and run it drop” type of rapid …Holy Cross is a bony run to remember (The trees that made the Cross are gone now) and White Out is a great drop…….Jim Little ran that one first, after being flushed into it .With too many boats in an eddy.(We didn’t think it would go, we couldn’t see what was in it) …then here came Jim….as usual what did we know…

 I must note Todd Smith passed away on the lower section, may he and his family rest in Peace.

 Rock Creek:

Sale Creek, Tennessee

 What a perfect name for a run, to my knowledge Roger Scott (of Ocoee fame) and his gang first opened up this run, I think this one is underrated. Everyone thinks of all the others. This one is a classic, true it doesn’t have the gradient of the others, but some of the best don’t have a lot of gradient  , but is has fun rapids and it has the flavor of the Chick without the wind , long rapids , or the big water, but yet can have the feel of big water. Near the end is when the rapids get hard so there is plenty of warm up. A good inch of winter rain is good for this one, and most can be run without scouting, but of course I don’t recommend that. If you have a class III boater group and some strong leaders, this is a great run. I put in on Hall Creek. This one use to take less rain, and would always run when the Chick was running but once again clear cutting and the Southern Pine Beetle are killing this one. (Another reason for bio-diversity on the Ridge)

McGill Creek:

Graysville, Tennessee 

 A great creek run needs a ½ of rain (winter, late spring) it is kind of like Johnnies Creek in Alabama on how it reacts to rain. Mike “Louie” Lewis, Jeff Richards, Steve Smith and I got  the first one on this one, and is on the video “Steep Creekin’” both of these runs can be set up on the same shuttle (Roaring and McGill) so if one is running and the other isn’t you will not waste a lot of time . The sad part of McGill is the water quality of the run; it is a sterile, no fish. But do not let the stop you, the run is great nice big drops, the only one to really worry about is the first one in the gorge stay far, far right, the left has a pinning tree, and if you cut it out, another one appears like kudzu, (so we quit worrying about it) .After that they are all straight forward, Booger Rapid is easier now due to shorter boats.  Cumnock Falls , named after when the guys were placing bets who was going to tell my significant other (of the time) if I got hurt, its a Sunshine move rapid without the penalty points. Lewis Falls named in the Memory of Mike Lewis’s Dad (he passed away right before we made the run), The next major rapid is harder on the shorter boats, kind of a slot move into funny water, usually in a group of 5 to 6, someone flips and gets some quality time (you know, the last guys run gets worse, as each gets a little worse from following the other guy).  The run out in the valley is even fun, it is a like “It’s a small World “ride at Disney you get to float through trees, with current…..very neat experience not many runs have. This is a great run that needs to be run more. Put-out and take- in’s are on county roads. This one can be run really high also or very boney. When Roaring has just quit running you can still get down McGill. If a mishap happens in the Gorge you can hike out on an old coal mining road on river left, back to the main road where you just completed your shuttle.

 Roaring Creek:

Graysville, Tennessee

 Probably one the best runs up there. Roaring needs a good 1.5” inch of quality rain (winter) 2”-2.5” (summer). This one drops quickly. A good creek run on the Ridge that might not kill you. A run for the jaded creeker and beginning creeker to make a run together .Another way I would tell if it was running was if Graysville Tennessee made the news for getting flooded out, the next day was always a good run .Hate it for the town, but love it for the boatin’. We got a lot of summer runs that way. Besides that, it’s how Graysville does its spring cleaning. The Big one on this one is the trees; clear cutting and Mountain Stone Mining have hurt the headwaters. The first major rapid is Crunch-n-Munch, the biggest rapid is Fuzzy Bunny near the end of the run, and we run the left side of the island, which is named Bitch. As of the fall, 2003 the rapid named Pole Cat (named after a local swimming hole) has trees in it, that will be there awhile, it will take a big chain saw party, and I mean BIG. The take-out is at bar who love paddlers, they want to hear all about how you “almost killed yer self runnin that stuff”, and then they will tell you how they tube the run, lot’s of comedy to be had here and a good place to get warm. It was first run by Jeff Richards, Mike Cawood, and myself and can be seen in the video “"Falling Off Walden's Ridge"”. This is a great run, although the put-in is on public land. Park at the gate, ask the Shaver family if it is alright to park there. But always ask first .Sometimes the Mountain Stone Company will let you go through their gate and park there. It has been a off again on again relationship with them. Some unknown people (names withheld to protect the guilty) have ratted them out to the State of Tennessee on their practices, and then they file bankruptcy, then a couple of years go by, and they open up again. Roaring Creek can be run at very high levels, almost at flood, but you need a strong party when at high water, when others are high in the area, run this one. It should be noted that this one rises and drops fast, I have put on with too much water, and it almost be boney by the end of the day. The shuttle is long compared to the other ridge runs, but multiple trips can still be had on this classic.

 "The REAL "  Brush Creek

Graysville, Tennessee

 Brush Creek that runs into Roaring Creek, needs a 1.5” of rain (winter) a lot of early summer runs have happened here also. It has some great rapids, and it one of my favorites, the biggest problem here is first, the put-in it at a Seven-day Adventist Compound, security there is very tight C.I.A TYPE, I’m talking dark sunglasses, microphones in their ears, and 3-piece dark suits, and this was before 9-11. You need to perform a Kayak Assault , the put-in is on a county road , and is not trespassing , but why make life harder than it is . Get a Shuttle Bunny (or to be P.C. Shuttle Buddy) dress out at the take out and haul butt. A true alpine-type/ Creeker run. Be in the mindset to portage, carry and get physical with the run. One of my favorite runs by far. Down and Dirty Creekin. It was first run my Jim Little, Mike Lewis, Steve Smith and myself. And can be seen on the video “Falling off Walden’s Ridge” .The biggest cleanest drop is the first one named Vertigo, and if you stand there long enough, wondering if you are going to run it, you’ll know how it go it’s name. It is a long, tall slide with a 15-10 ft drop at the bottom of the slide. The rest are dry slide boof rapids. With the middle section broken up by a very steep slide, then more of the same until you get to Roaring Creek .If you like Morgan Creek you might like this one too, be forewarned to take your beater gear, and not your new shiny Nantahala gear. I have been told it compares to the Raven Fork, and in my opinion it is one of the hardest in the country right now when caught with good water. It ain't the bear...I like the nickname Morgan's ugly cousin when describing this run.

History of the "real "brush creek: aka  Morgan's ugly cousin

First run by Jim Little (oc-1), Mike " Louie" Lewis (oc-1), Mark Cumnock (k-1) Steve Smith (k-1) at very low water, in the early 90's which was documented on Falling Off Walden's Ridge   Even during that run a lot rope work was used and stretched our gear to the limit, not much of hard stuff got the video, we were too busy , trying to get to the car and beat daylight, ad not get stuffed under a undercut or one of many trees.

I remember meeting in the parking lot in Dayton, and Clay Wright pulls up, and we show him the map, he just shook his head at me....and said "I'm heading to Morgan!"

Second and Third descents were by myself and Steve Smith, with a higher water level each time. With more rapids being knocked out with lot's of broken gear each time. (To the point of gear bankruptcy), and using the tired and true method of rock-paper-scissors. In the end we were using motocross gear borrowed from my ex brother-in-law at the time

My best memory of the run is Mike "Louie" Lewis talking to security. He said ,"Yes Sir we will leave, your right", then chunked his boat, and in two giant steps was out of sight in his boat. Well that was our clue....I was so unprepared for Louie's hot put-in, less than a 1/4 in the run Steve Smith asks "Are you wearing your lifejacket under your drytop?....my response...."DOH"!!!

As of summer 2004 its only been attempted 3 or 4 times. With lots of hike-outs and disgruntled paddlers, I even got a e-mail one day from the late Daniel D' of LVM fame complaining of the hardship, and low water of their trip... he wasn't a happy camper !

Until Jan 2006 when a heavy hitting group consisting of:

Andy Dodson (k-1)

Ted Hayes (k-1)

Jason Murrell(k-1)

Water Level: From Ted Hayes

Bear was 11-12"
N Chick was about 3.5'
Roaring 2'
Richland was 1'

Re-discovered  the run  in Jan.  2006 with a perfect water level, until this time the conditions had been wrong, and they were dedicated enough to go in and cut the trees out during the dry season. The rapid pictures are posted from their run and a special thanks is given to Andy Dodson for the use of the pictures and taking the camera.

brush creek photo by andy dobson (the middle section)

Morgan Creek:  (aka North Pole) –

Dayton, Tennessee

 This bad boy rocks, another run similar to Brush Creek that runs into Roaring Creek, this one was first run and opened up by Clay Wright, Andy Turner, Ron Stewart, Doug Wellman, and Terry Smith. Later a first open boat run was by Mike “Louie” Lewis. This is gradient creekin’ at its best, you become physical with the run, with lots of scouting- portaging, most have been run. You will like this run if you don’t mind rocks without water, or buying new equipment. Lot’s of boof-slides to make moves. This is run is in my top 5 of favorite runs. The put-in is hurting from local land owners buying land and it is making access very difficult. I recommend a Kayak Assault for this one also, have a shuttle bunny, (yeah, yeah, yeah I know Shuttle Buddy) and dress at the take-out, you can put on a county road, just why ask for a hassle the run will be hard enough. This run can been seen in Wayne Gentry’s video “Vertical Addiction”, and was the cornerstone piece for his footage. The video has good shots of the run. It can also been seen on our video “Falling off Walden’s Ridge”….Tracy Clapp shot a lot Wayne’s footage for that one and Tracy did an excellent job. He is a hell-of-a-boater and an even better camera man. Between the two videos you can get a good flavor of the steepness of this wonderful run. Gotta note on here I know of, and have heard, of many people getting hurt on this run. I left my shoulder there at the stair step rapid, and Yes Howard and Clay I saw the footage were you edited out my roll, ha ha ha, Terry Smith left his back there at Chili Pepper.  Ben Hayes has footage in his video Local Hero with of some cat getting knocked out on his website steepcreeks. At Chili Pepper I've stressed crack two boats, and it is a good place to have a field test and put an end to the which paddle, and what boat can take the most abuse debate, so with that in mind,........ It’s your call.

Henderson Creek:

Dayton, Tennessee 

Man were do you start with this one. This one of the longest, greatest and challenging runs on The Ridge. The put-in run is two miles of Boogie Water or a Boney run from hell depending on water levels, and it will make BIG difference on a good day compared to “Where is the Car?” Day; if you pick the wrong level. For a first time run you want it boney, almost to were it hurts if you don't have a probe/lead boater. When you hit the gorge you want low water the first time due to all the rapids that keep coming at you .Also plan for a late spring run, to help with daylight, until you get comfortable with lines, and then later come back with more water to speed things up. This one was first run by Doug Wellman, Francis Mallory, Ron Steward, Terry Smith, Andy Turner, Alex Harvey and I. Every time I have run this one no matter what kind of shape I am in, sleeping that night is no problem, and I always wanted an easy run the next day. Wayne Gentry has good footage for this run on “Vertical Addiction”. But as Henderson would have it, there is still a lot not a lot of film due to the number of rapids and the length of the run. And then you have to content with the rest of the run on Richland Creek. This one is a “one of a kind run” that is true Walden’s Ridge Creekin’.

 Richland Creek: -

 Dayton Tennessee

This is the ultimate Park-n-Play for a creeker. This run was first open boated by Mike Cawood, and pioneered by Doug Wellman and Ron Stewart.  It has a hiking trail, which use to be the water main pipeline for the community of Dayton Tennessee. Hike two miles up .It is an easy walk almost flat, the creek drops, but you don’t, well almost. Right at the end it goes uphill, to the reservoir that held the water for the pipeline. (Just make sure you don’t forget your sprayskirt……no comment) The reservoir is about full now with rock from the creek. The first rapid is right after you put-in, and if you have no Mo for this one get ready to get hammered. There is some nicer creekin’, until about the middle of the run, then another drop type rapid appears. The rapids can be seen on the “Falling off Walden’s Ridge” video. This is a perfect afternoon run, Dayton has a 4 lane road now to help you get there quicker, and Richland holds it’s water better than of the other ridge runs, even in the summer after a rain. Plus you get the college chicks hiking there/ sunning themselves factor. Scared a lot of  Bryan College chicks sunning; boofing out of nowhere, they wonder how and where you came from, as you give them a William (Not Bill) Nealy Cartoon smile while heading to the next drop. (Man aren’t kayakers cool….but yet still no phone numbers, it’s the boat isn’t it?...yet I digress….again)

Clear Creek –

Pennine-Evensville Tennessee:

 I never got to run this one, scouted it, but never got to run it. We had entrance problems with the family who are fifth generation land owner’s there. Even went to school and played grade school basketball with the guy and he still wouldn’t give us a kitchen pass to go play. It is a tiny creek run, even by my standards. I am hoping that local expert Daniel Talley and his gang has gotten a run on this by now and can post on the AW website. Like most runs on Walden’s Ridge it is privately enclosed, (I think no creek can be owned) and I most note landowners wishes must be respected, if we are to enjoy the future of the sport and not be banned from access like ATV’S and 4-wheelers to remote areas.

 brush creek photo by andy dobson (the middle section)

Piney Creek-Moccasin Creek:

 Spring City, Tennessee

 This another long run on The Ridge. You can put on Piney Creek or for a change of pace put on Moccasin Creek. Once considered a hair run that had bragging rights, it has now turned into a fun run, but don’t let that stop you. It is a classic run in a Wilderness Pocket that many don’t get to see or experience. The rapids are almost continuous, and where there aren’t any, the current takes care of the rest. This one was always a good one to run when it is so cold and you don’t want to get hammered, get out of you boat much or hope to God nature doesn’t call because it’s so cold. That relief zipper you didn’t want to buy because it was so expensive, looks cheaper now, doesn’t it. The takeout has a nice park that when the water is a little high; you can Park-n-Play at. There are numerous hiking trails in the area too that can add to the outdoor experience. Many base the Tellico River gauge for this run, even though they are not in the same mountain range, and if you like the Tellico you will like this one.

Duskin Creek:

Spring City, Tennessee

To quote Tom Tohill who got the first run on this one “It’s a delightful little run” This one is a good one to start some out who is getting bored with the Nantahala, or you promised to take someone somewhere, and now its time to pay up, it even has a nice slide. It also has a hiking trail for a majority of the run if it gets too bad. The takeout is the same for Piney Creek, so if you have a change of heart the take-out can be used for three different runs.

Stinking Fork:

Spring City, Tennessee

This one is noted for the big drop that can break backs. As noted from a group from Kentucky who first ran the drop in the late eighties. Later Clay Wright and his cousin Howard perfected the line on the drop. Later Jeff Richards, Bailey Johnson and myself; put-in the headwaters and ran to the take out (That is the same take out for Piney Creek-Spring City.) hoping to pioneer and open up the run. Mainly a disappointment, all the gradient is chewed up at the falls. If you want this drop you are better off hiking the trail to the falls, get out the camera. And then hike back to the car. It is a long paddle for one drop. Although as most Ridge runs, it is a pretty run. This is a nice place to go get a hero picture for the wall. Also when you have finished running the other runs from your day of paddling and want a little more paddling.

It can also be a place where you can impress your significant other, and maybe help con them into carrying some of your gear. When you are finished you can go camp at the primitive Duskin Creek put-in campground since it is so close, and tell your war stories from your day of paddling.

Soak Creek,

Spring City Tennessee

 This one is accessed when paddling Stinking Fork. Not too much going on this run, pretty much your typical Class III run- out and not even boogie water when Stinging Fork is running at a good level. It can also be accessed from the other Piney (Put-in; Piney Falls, Grandview TN) which is difficult because of the two big water falls on the Piney Run. One more thing to remember; when in the Spring City area. Whoever named the runs around there ran out of names or their best dog was named was Piney. There are four runs that I know of in the same general area that have the name Piney for their description …..Go figure. So make sure to have your map out when on the phone or e-mailing about the run you are planning for your next trip. Hate to see you show up at one take out and your buddy at another, trust me it’s happened. Once again I’ve withheld the names to protect the guilty or in this case confused, but then again in most cases aren’t they usually both? The take-out is the same for the Piney Creek take outs. (Put-in Evensville,TN.or Grandview, TN.) See I told you could get confused…..

 Little Piney Creek:

(Piney Falls: Grandview Tennessee)

This one runs is similar to lower  Stinking Fork also it is like Soak Creek with class III run out. Two big drops chew up the gradient in the beginning. This one was first run by me and Mike Cawood, mainly a disappointment. I remember more of the repelling than the noting of the rapids. We set up ropes the night before we made this epic run. There now is a trail around the first major waterfall (insult to injury), maintained by the State of Tennessee, and a nice place to go hike. There are too many others to run on the ridge to mess with this one. For if this one is running, so are the others and they all can drop fast if you are caught napping, so go somewhere else to enjoy your limited time.

Whites Creek

Roddy, Tennessee

 This one may not be a hair run or even for that part a fuzzy run. But it is what the Nantahala should have been (My thoughts, please don’t smoke me on Boatertalk) this one will wear you out from all the play spots and eddy hopping. Easy shuttle and Easy Run. This is a great one to go slum on and take your Nantahala boater on, as long as they have a roll or they are a strong swimmer. A minimum group of three should have no problems here. Play boaters will enjoy the run too. This one is probably THE play run of the Walden’s Ridge runs. Ice Cream headaches for everyone.

Falls Creek and Tiney Piney Creek:

Roddy, Tennessee.

 I never ran these creeks that run into White’s Creek but Mark D’Agostino author of www.alabamawhitewater.com has and described them as follows. “They are similar in nature to one another and each flow into White’s Creek. They are both III+ to IV- with slides and several fun rapids. Tiney Piney have one constricted IV+ that can be walked. Both require a lot water to get them going.”  I should add that when paddling the White’s Creek area that it still has great water quality and that every trip I’ve been there I have seen resident Bald Eagles nesting in the spring, BTW they taste like chicken. Wonder how many tree huggers I got with that one.......

Mammy’s Creek

Roddy, Tennessee

This one is very similar to Duskin Creek, nothing really hard just straight forward stuff. This one was first opened by the Rose brothers when Dagger had there shop set up in the Harriman-Rockwood Tennessee area. As usual, a very pretty run going off The Ridge.

 I have to get on my soap box for a moment. Please be very respectful of the land owners when in the area, most of the runs are on private land, we are their guests there and when treated with respect they can be very helpful. I t has taken a lot of leg work to gain trust in the mountain communities, especially when they see, bright boats, out of town tags (Tennessee tags just don’t count), out-of-state tags, speeding, loud music especially on a Sunday morning, and us showing our privates when changing clothes, drinking a cold beverage of choice out in the open, or tearing up someone’s property when not knowing how to park.  I can’t stress that enough and I hate to preach, but I lived up there for ten plus years? , and to the locals I was still the new kid on the block, and an out-of -town-er. It is a closed, tight, conservative community, but when trust is gained it can be a wonderful experience, but one bad apple can ruin it for everyone else. It’s not even the idea of paying to park or any other type of possession value, but of humbly showing respect.

Well I hope you have enjoyed this brief write up on the runs of The Ridge, and hope you get to get out there and enjoy these fantastic creeks. Now go outside and play, and get your head wet.

Enjoy,

Mark Cumnock

 Think Rain

 Walden's Ridge in the summer

Special thanks to:

Pyranha Kayaks, Werner Paddles, Mountain Surf  sprayskirts , Patagonia Paddling Gear

www.Whitewatervideo.com  and American Whitewater