Johns

I have run this section with my family a few times this spring and have found it to be a good section for novice paddlers. There are a few interesting features along the route but there are no significant hazards on this stretch of river aside from some tree strainers and all of them can be easily avoided. The put-in and take out are both on river left, just below the Playmore Beach Rd (1328).

Attached are shuttle directions. From the Put-in. Head northeast on NC-1328/Playmore Beach Rd toward NC-1333/Packs Hill Rd 1.1 mi. Slight right at NC-1333/Packs Hill Rd 1.2 mi. Continue on NC-1426/Pax Hill Rd 1.7 mi. Turn right at Corpening Bridge Rd/NC-1438 1.9 mi to the take-out.

We have been able to make this run as low as 160cfs but it was a bit of a struggle so I would recommend a low level of about 200cfs. Have not explored the river at high levels but I would expect it would be runnable up to a fairly high level.

You might also consider spicing this run up a bit by putting in on Wilson Creek at the Adako river bridge and running the slightly more challenging and creeky bottom section of Wilsons.