Matthews Creek,

Raven Cliff Falls to US 276

Usual Difficulty	III-V(V+) (may vary with level)
Length	6 Miles
Avg. Gradient	150 fpm
Max Gradient	360 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT ROSMAN, NC
usgs-03439000	2000 - 10000 cfs	III-V(V+)	00h52m	307 cfs (rc= -0.2 )

River Description

Matthews Creek is full on class V steep creeking action. It is quite possibly the steepest and most demanding run in South Carolina, and might even be one of the hardest creeks in the southeast.

The put in requires the boater to carry almost 2 miles to the base of Raven Cliff Falls in Caesar's Head State Park or upsteam 6 miles from a church camp. Take out by boating down to the confluence or by walking out at the church camp.

I spoke with some local boaters who ran this creek a few years ago. They said it was "hell". The hike to the put in, numerous unrunnable rapids and trees, in addition to the long takeout hike made this trip extremely demanding. Other local boaters say they hit this creek almost once a year.