5. Guys Ford Bridge to AW Sherwood Horine Access (Watauga Gorge)Class IV-V
4.9 Miles
Avg Gradient 103 fpm
Max Gradient 140 fpm
Stateline Falls
Stateline Falls Photo of John Eskew by Calvin Southard taken 4/30/05 @ 280 cfs Gauge Information
Watauga
River DescriptionSee the AW Tennessee version of the Watauga Gorge Page, Leland Davis' North Carolina Rivers and Creeks, Bob & David Benner's Carolina Whitewater, and Chris Bell's Asheville Area Boating Beta Page for more information about the river.Sherwood Horine Watauga River Access The take-out is dedicated to the memory of Sherwood Horine. Sherwood was a long-time American Whitewater member and supporter who was instrumental in acquiring this river site for the public. Sherwood passed away in an unfortunate mountain biking accident shortly before the site was opened for the public in 1998. He remains in our hearts, and we honor his memory by naming this site after him on the river he loved so dearly. Directions to the Watauga River Put-in The put-in is 5 miles West of Boone, NC on Highway 321 at the junction with Guy Ford Road (SR 1200). There is parking on the upstream side of the bridge on Guy Ford Road. This parking is provided by the gas station market owner at the top of the hill. Please be sure to stop in and thank the family with your business when you're in the neighborhood. Directions to American Whitewater's Watauga River Take-Out Drive West on Highway 321 from the put-in. Take a right on Tester Road. The gravel road is the first "true" road after you cross the state line into Tennessee. Wind SLOWLY downhill on the dirt road past some houses/trailers. Please be respectful of the residents. When in doubt bear right. When you get to the gate (in front of the abandoned house), continue through to your LEFT and follow the signs for American Whitewater. There will be a relatively flat field on your right. Continue on this private road until it dead-ends along some woods at the edge of the field. There should be a high fence on your right and the Watauga River is down the hill. Use your common sense, do not park in front of the private residence or drive across the neighbor's lawn. AW land is the field along the last 300 yards of the road. You can park on the field and on the side of the road. PLEASE DO NOT park all over the field. AW only owns 1 acre. The rest of the field is private property. BE DISCRETE ABOUT CHANGING CLOTHES and use the changing screen. Please:
No dogs.Finding the Take-out From the River: When you get near the end of the whitewater, you will get to Watson Island. Take the smaller RIVER LEFT channel. Look for the staircase. Pull to shore near the end of the island, walk up the hill. Sherwood Horine Memorial Access Fund: American Whitewater purchased this site with donations from boaters like yourself. The property cost almost $30,000 to purchase and develop; and continues to cost us about $500 a year to maintain. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Sherwood Horine Memorial Access Fund to help us defray our expenses. Send donations to: The Sherwood Horine Memorial Access Fund, American Whitewater, P.O. Box 636, Margaretville, NY 12455.
StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2006-12-06 18:05:12
|
