Raven Fork
2. Enloe Creek Trail to Big Cove Road(Raven Fork Gorge)

| Difficulty | V+ |
| Length | 4.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 390 fpm |
| Gauge | Oconaluftee River at Birdtown, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 47 minutes | 392 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 3, 2025 |
Note: By order of the Cherokee Tribal Council, that portion of the Raven Fork crossing the Qualla Boundary (the official name of their reservation) is closed to boating. The bottom portion of this run is located on the reservation -- it is illegal to boat it. Carefully read the additional information below.
The majority of the Upper Raven fork is outside of the Cherokee Reservation. A good portion of the run is in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. However the takeout is squarely in reservation grounds. Please note that the Raven Fork within the reservation is presently closed to boating.
Don't even think about paddling the Raven Fork with out politely obtaining permission from those who live at the take out. There are two variations on getting to the put-in. If you're good enough to be on this run you'll track down that info from one of the local experts.
Some of the larger named drops include (not in order), Jedi Training, Harjes Rapid (where Chris blew out his shoulder), Cave Man, Anaconda, Headless Horseman, Mortal Kombat, Mike Tyson's punchout, Big Boy, Atomic Elbow Crusher, Mangler and others.
The top mile accessed via the Enloe Creek Trail is 400 feet. The next two are the same, but a bulk of the gradient is in the middle at 560 ft/mile, and the 3/4 mile stretch from jedi training through mangler is 730 ft/mile. As steep as the steepest 3/4 mile on road prong, but pool drop. Tell me that aint the steepest 3/4 mile of boating in the SE.

The bottom is unfortunately clogged with wood. 15 foot superboof.

20 foot waterfall into a big pothole on the right. Run center.
A great warm up, this drop is magical. 5 drops. First 6 foot shoulder on right, second boof 8 feet straight, third delayed hole punch down the middle with alcove on left, fourth, slide right of center, thread between two logs, fifth, boof right.
This is probably the hardest rapid other than big boy and the portages.

A great rapid with two entrances: Tight on the right and boof in from the left. Either way, stay right. Hence the name.

The top of this one is often portaged, especially at low water, since most of the flow goes into a death trap of an undercut on the left. Seal launch in from the top of the undercut, or with ample water, drive right into the safe zone. From here keep working right down a long, fun, and bouncy slide, staying away from possible trouble on the bottom left.
I am sure some run it without noticing the wood, but it could definitely kill you. Most people portage left.
I am sure this one didn't have a name untill a log lodged vertically about 2 feet down from the slot. Its undercut on the right and recirc on the left and the line to the left or right of the log right below is fine. Swims have occurred here.
Three drops of welcomed smallness and ease. A ten foot cascade, a wall shot on the right and a shoulder boof.

You can wheelchair it on the right, or portage. Very few have run the tight centerline that has a critical ridge of rock that tends to spin people out into a bad undercut rock hanging halfway down the cascade. Named after Jason Hale when he pinned for a good while here.
Another relaxing stretch of class 4, with two low angle bedrock bouncy affairs

More fun than hard, and large. Slide down the entrance slide lining up for the big hole much like a larger line on zwick's on the green. Most people drop into the slide on the right afterwards that winds down a crack on the right wall. Lean into the wall curler and before you know it you are at the bottom. You can also punch more of the meat and run a shallow but fun line down the middle/left.

This one is the beginning of the huge. After a junky boof off the left wall(angle right), Run a class 4 entrance rapid and eddy out right or left. Here the line goes off to the right and down a big ramp into a hump. Stay to the inside(left) of the hump and keep it pointed downstream. Off to the right is a hole backed by undercut formations. Run down the final 15 foot slide trying to stay on the right of 2 teeth that stick up on the horizon. The hole kicks left into a wall.

The centerline is the easiest, and has a great boof at the bottom, but watch the cave on the left. Right is best with good water, a straightforward flume. Some run the left, but it is least common.

Right below Wet Willy are two boofs. The second one signals its time to get out on the right above Big Boy.

This is reputed to be the most serious drop in the Southeast. No one seems to argue about it. 35 foot drop with the finest of lines. Easier lower.

Run down the left and then off a table like rock formation about 12 feet and don't get pinned.

Go right or left of the Elbow Crusher rock in the landing. There are curls coming off the right wall with good water that don't like you to do the right line.

This one drops more vert than any other and is definitely the most out of control. Its huge and will blow your mind. Must run!

Named after Chris Harjes. This one tends to land you on a high right brace next to a cave on the right. Drive left and tuck your boat back underneath you, or sneak it on the left. In the picture, Harjes is the rapid right above Trip, with Mike Tysons the one above that. He is running first drop of Caveman.

One of the harder and more technical rapids. The first drop is pushy, leading into a sticky hole right above second drop, a jagged ledge you want to run far left. Then the classic third drop, where you boof the left wall 10 feet and land on a righty so you don't go spelunking. Check the cave out afterwards, or before, if you like setting safety.

Its been run a few times, but its retarded looking. Big 12 foot boof that lands in a sieve that goes off another big drop that goes into a undercut with wood on the right. You can carefully seal launch next to the wood or launch from 15 feet above the pool below. Hint: its not deep.
Kinda looks like its big brother upstream, only class 4 and easier.
Dec 29, 2008
Going big in an open canoe