Cape Fear

Put in on Wildlife Rd in Lillington.  Harnett County sign 'H15' mile marker is directly across from this location

Small class 1 on river right.  It is situated between 2 islands with trees that create a nice small green water wave at all levels.  This creates a nice defined eddy line to warm up on at the 1 mile mark.  At lower levels it can get really boney right after the green wave.(Update:The tree in the middle is no longer standing)

As you pass the H19 sign you will come around a bend in the river and see the power lines.  Just upstream from the power lines is an island on river right however you will not be able to see it until you pass the small class 1 ledge from the remains of the old fish traps.  This island is a very suitable place to stop and stretch your legs after the 4 mile flatwater paddle to get here.  It is gravel covered and usable all the way up to 7'.  At 4-5' and below there is a 'S-Turn' rapid on river right that will lead you to the island or you can run down the wide river left ledge class 1 and then ferry over to the island.  At higher levels there are many different avenues to the island but be careful if you go too far river right you will end up in the middle of all the small trees that line the creeks that run right around the island.

Class II at most levels.  At higher levels (4.5' and above) a good wave starts to form off the main little drop just to the right of the river left tree line.  This rapid is also known as Stewart's Falls and Wash rack.  There is also a few slots that open up at different level across the entire river.  At level's above 6 ft a very fun surf wave starts to form in the area of the red circle on the diagram.  It is easist to drop in sideways from river left as there are many guardian rocks on the river right side of the wave. 'H20' sign will be after the last portion of Shaw's Falls/Great Falls and before Canadian Fish Trap.

Small chain of islands after Shaw's great falls.  At normal flows it produces a small ledge next to it, at higher flows the trees can be a hazard to avoid.

Most of the water is confined to a thirty foot channel through a cleft of bedrock. This is a very popular spot for practicing numerous eddy moves and rolls. Some of us even like to take a swim through this one in the summer (safely). This rapid washes out at high flows, and low flows. 2'-3' seems to be when the Narrow Gap forms a surfable wave. That said, there is something to do at all levels on this rapid. At higher levels (4-6'), if you take the river right channel directly across from this feature, a nice hole forms. The hole is formed from water flowing down a rock slide. At about 4.5-5' the hole is stable enough to practice side surfs and 360 spins. It is sometimes refered to as the 'Honey Hole'.  At levels above 8ft the center line produced 2 wave holes that are good for surfing.

Smiley's Falls is a series of small diagonal ledges moving from river right downstream to river left. They were formed from a dam removal many years ago that begins shortly after the 2 channels merge back from around the island.  At any level below 4' the routes through are far river left or river right.  River right is the most commonly run with a main wide channel and a couple small slots to the left of it.  All of the river right channels provide surf waves at different levels.  Both the main channel and the slots tend to have rocks in the drop at different levels and the 2 slots attract logs so ensure you scout if you can before going over. At levels higher than 7ft the right half of the river pushed Class III level.   H21 Sign is right at Smiley's Falls.

Confluence of the Little River and Cape Fear. The Little River is usually several degrees cooler than the Cape Fear in the summer. Large waves can form after significant rainfall. Great place to practice rolls and cool off!!!

Multiple set of ledges that provide numerous routes down through.  At higher levels, 5' and above holes start to form, mostly center to river left on the upper side of the rapid along the first ledge.  There is also a large round splat rock river center right after the first ledge that creates a fun cross current.  There is a great surf wave next to the pump house at lower flows and another at higher flows that is closer to the island on the pumphouse side.  The last ledge can also provide small little surf waves, usually in the middle of the ledge.  This rapid is usually a Class II until the levels raise above 6' then they start pushing Class III in certain spots, mostly the play spots listed here.

This rapid is river right and can provide lots of play however it is after the take out so you must walk to the top and paddle back across the river.  This spot also provides a great park and play option at many levels.  At levels below 3.5 ft you can attain back up to the bottom of the little 2' drop which provides a great wave train.  At levels over 3' many other routes open up to run  and there are some bigger waves to surf that open up starting at levels near 4.5 ft but it becomes harder to attain back up to the top.  Only downside to this location for a park and play is you generally have to get out and walk upstream one side or another to get back to the takeout.  There is not always a difined surf wave but there is always a strong eddy line and wave train to practice combat rolls, peel outs, eddying, or ferrying.  Be aware that the property owner on river left has put up no tresspassing signs so you can no longer paddler over and walk the trail back to the take out.  You must either walk up on river right and paddle across or walk up the center rocks and paddle upstream.

Cape Fear River Trail in Erwin.  If the gate is locked, the code is the last 4 digits of the phone number to call.  Ensure you do not park your vehicle at the ramp at the bottom.