Pigeon, East Fork

Ran this a while back and found that it is actually quite nice. Very close to the Waynesville/Canton NC area. The put in for us was at the take out for the upper BIG East Fork. You can add on some extra fun to the class III stretch by either hiking up the river right or left hand trails. Their are trails on both sides of the creek. If you don't feel like doing this just put on and float through the tunnel running over the creek.
I found that the upper BIG East Fork has to be running at a minimum in order to make this run any fun. You could certainly do it higher but I sure wouldn't do it any lower.
The run starts off with the most difficult rapid on the whole stretch. It is a 'S' curve boulder drop rapid that you might assosiate with a rapid on the Little in the GSMNP. If you have some trouble with this rapid don't get discouraged, it's the hardest on the entire stretch. Next you will come to an island go left to avoid the wood as of Fall 2009. That side has less water but no wood, so it is best. Over the next mile or so you will come to several more larger characteristic rapids amongst the flurry of smaller ones. Its enough to keep you entertained.
The larger drops can all be boat scouted and are all easy moves. The main thing to worry about on this stretch is wood and a low water bridge. The wood can be walked without much trouble and the low water bridge can be avoided with ease at lower water levels. It comes up when you start to get into some farm land. I'm sure that it would create a obvious rapid at higher levels and it would also prove to be quite DANGEROUS, (Peligro, Peligro). Just go at a lower flow your first time down and figure out where the thing is. The bridge wouldn't allow a person to swim under it and it is angled at a way that would let someone in but not out! High on the upsteam side low on the downstream side. However there is a pool above it and we didn't have any trouble with it.
Once you get past the low water bridge the creek continues with plenty of fun class II and III rapids and a section of ledge holes that can be seen from the HWY. The take out is the white church at the bottom of the mountain on river left. You can park right beside the creek (two car pull out) or you can park at the much larger white church a few hundred yards further down stream and take out here.
All-in-all good class III fun that doesn't require you to drive all the way out to the NOC for. Biggest issue is having good judgment about obvious things. Like watching for wood, the bridge, and staying off privet property. Hope you have fun on this one it is well worth going to. Royce