3: Route 290 /Cassidy Bridge Rd. to Cobbs Bridge Rd. (Chauga Gorge)Class IV
9.8 Miles
Avg Gradient 40 fpm
Max Gradient 150 fpm
Super Soc em Dog
Super Soc em Dog Photo of Will Reeves @ good River DescriptionThe Chauga starts with a bit of flat water, then goes over a big slide. The slide is worth a scout, there is an undercut on the bottom right that has some badly placed wood in it. The slide has multiple lines. Scout and carry left.There is about a quarter mile of flatwater after the slide, then the river starts to gorge up again. When the gradient starts to pick up the river will go around a couple of blind bends leading up to the second big drop, Super Soc 'em Dog. This is about a 10 foot boof into a big pool. In the past the lead in to the dog has occasionaly had some river wide strainers blocking the stream. Approach with caution when things gorge up. As for the dog, scout left, and carry back up on the left for multiple runs A little more flatwater leads into another gorge. The next couple of miles are the steepest on the river. There is some great boogie water, some big rapids, and some good ledge drops.
The named drops in this section include Black Hole, Zoom Floom, and Edge of the World. Edge of the World is worth a good scout. The rapid features a big undercut on the bottom left, and a large tree running lengthwise thru the rapid. This drop always has wood in it, but can usually be run.
Then there is a bunch more flatwater, possibly two miles worth. And after the stuff you just ran its going to feel like the current has come to a complete halt. But then there will be another increase in gradient. There will be two or three good rapids followed by Riley-Moore Falls. The falls is about a fifteen footer. Water levels will dictate where to run the falls. The falls is at one of the widest points of the river, hence the shallowest on the approach. Look for at least 6 inches on the gauge for the falls to be running. After the falls its about a mile and half to the takeout.
There is an option of a short take-out above the falls, but it takes 4 wheel drive and locked hubs to get down to the river. In my opinion, if the river is at a good level its easier to use the standard takeout. And if the river is at a good level, Riley Moore Falls is runnable. Why miss out on a perfectly good waterfall??
StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2003-10-14 00:55:13
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One foot is about optimal. The run is solid class 4 at one foot.
Above a foot the runs starts to grow some big holes. Riverwide sloping ledge holes.
The Chauga is not really recommended above two feet on the gauge.
For the Chauga to be running look for the Chattooga to be two feet and going up.
User Comments |
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2008-03-11 11:34:31 (135 days ago)
There is wood in the 1st slide. At -6 the log is 12 inches above water line. Edit
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2004-09-29 08:58:03 (1394 days ago)
Kyle Anderson
There is a big log in the first slide at the bottom river right in front of the undercut rock. River left lines were fine.
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2004-06-26 21:49:56 (1489 days ago)
Samuel Esswein
There's a tree in the left line of Edge of the World. This one is apprx. half way down the left side. The bottom undercut was clear, we ran down the middle. Our run was a scrapy -2". Only portage was the riverwide hemlock Will mentioned.
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2003-08-09 18:48:33 (1811 days ago)
will reeves
The trees are gone on the Chauga! The tree above Super Soc M Dog is gone, the tree on river left in undercut below Zoom Flume/Edge of the World/Caller's Choice is gone, the only rapid with a tree blocking the river is a fresh hemlock above one of the small slides below the gorge. There are trees in the right slot between the first slide in the gorge (in the AW description it is called "Second Slide"?) and Black Hole but the river left line is now open and good to go. The "short" access point has been improved somewhat in recent years and 4X4 is hardly a needed for access.
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2003-02-24 11:47:15 (1977 days ago)
Brian Jones
If you can find it, the take-out above Riley Moore Falls cuts out some painful flatwater. You MIGHT need 4wd to get to the river, but if you don't, it is only a short walk (maybe 3x Woodall Trail) to the improved gravel parking area off of Spy Rock Road.
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2002-09-17 01:43:16 (2137 days ago)
Brad Roberts
Due to the amount of wood on this run, and pinny nature or the run, creekboats are a pretty good choice. There is also a decent amount of scouting to be done, so wear some good booties.
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2002-09-16 11:25:36 (2138 days ago)
Brad Roberts
Just above super soc-em-dog is a blind corner. Hidden in the blind corner is a riverwide tree just above water level that is a mandatory portage on river left. The eddy on river left is only good for about three boats. Make sure the eddys are clear before you make the final moves.
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There is still a tree in the undercut of the first slide, but the left and middle lines are good to go.
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Two more rapids were portaged due to badly placed wood. In addition we were able to paddle over or around about 8 riverwide strainers in the flatwater.
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The rest of the rapids were good class 4 and class 4 plus.
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1 foot is a great water level on the Chauga, rumor has it that the river might have crested as high as 1.5 while we were on it.
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | First Slide | IV |  |
| 0.7 | First Slide - Right line | IV |  |
| 1.2 | Super Soc Em Dog | IV | |
| 2.9 | Second Gorge Slide | III | |
| 3.0 | Blackhole | III+ | |
| 3.9 | Edge of the World | IV+ | |
| 8.0 | Riley Moore Falls | IV+ | |
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