Pigeon, Big East Fork

2. Skinny Dip to US 276 Bridge

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DifficultyV
Length4.6 mi
Avg Gradient220 fpm
GaugeEast Fork Pigeon River Near Canton, Nc
Flow Rate as of 22 minutes
33 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedMarch 13, 2023

River Description

To put in, use the Looking glass overlook parking area on the parkway. Cross the road and hike an easy half mile down to skinny dip, a local summer spot. The first two miles are class 5 and the second 2 and a half are easier but still have an occasional 5. Being on the parkway makes this run even harder to access, since the parkway is closed much of the running season of spring and winter. Most who have run it say it is an unforgettable river experience, with perfect water quality and steep difficult bedrock and boulder drops of the highest quality.

The rapid names I have provided are merely place holders, I'm sure the majority of the rapids on this run already have names. If anyone knows them, please edit. I also only mentioned major rapids or features; the distances between major rapids are full of countless other smaller drops.


River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

The first two rapids at the put in are the largest until the dark prong flows in

Take Out

Distance: 4.4 mi
Take Out

JM
James Moloney

Sep 19, 2022


JM
James Moloney

Sep 19, 2022


JM
James Moloney

Sep 12, 2022


JM
James Moloney

Sep 7, 2022


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Untitled

Nov 11, 2009


The description is spot on. Did it today at just over 2 ft on the upstream side of the takeout tunnel. This was a perfect first time level, if not a bit low up top. As of our run there were no mandatory portages and at least one member of our group ran every rapid; the stream is relatively free of wood and full of drops.