Chauga

SUPER SOC EM
BBB

There is a log across the right side of the river at the first slide. Run the left line. There are now TWO logs on the right below Super Soc-em-dog. You have to hit the left boof pad for them not to come into play. If you are right of the pad it may not fair well for you.

At this level the logs were not much of a problem. If you hit the boof then they dont even enter the equation. Miss the boof, and the logs can come into play. Level was -3 inches

We ran the Chauga last Sunday 3/29/09. Water level was -2' on the Cassidy Bridge. This is a low level but not scrapy. We moved a 40 foot log that was blocking the river left shoot in First Ledge. It is safely runnable now. The right side of this rapid still is blocked by trees.

Ran it today level was low -3' chattooga hit 2.3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQrtKvKPZfQ&feature=channel\_page is a link to some footage of the bigger rapids.

Having a blast on the Chauga!

There is a big log in the first slide at the bottom river right in front of the undercut rock. River left lines were fine.

There's a tree in the left line of Edge of the World. This one is apprx. half way down the left side. The bottom undercut was clear, we ran down the middle. Our run was a scrapy -2'. Only portage was the riverwide hemlock Will mentioned.

The trees are gone on the Chauga! The tree above Super Soc M Dog is gone, the tree on river left in undercut below Zoom Flume/Edge of the World/Caller's Choice is gone, the only rapid with a tree blocking the river is a fresh hemlock above one of the small slides below the gorge. There are trees in the right slot between the first slide in the gorge (in the AW description it is called 'Second Slide'?) and Black Hole but the river left line is now open and good to go. The 'short' access point has been improved somewhat in recent years and 4X4 is hardly a needed for access.

The aftermath of Milt's run of Riley Moore Falls
Aftermath of Milt's run of Riley Moore Falls #2.

If you can find it, the take-out above Riley Moore Falls cuts out some painful flatwater. You MIGHT need 4wd to get to the river, but if you don't, it is only a short walk (maybe 3x Woodall Trail) to the improved gravel parking area off of Spy Rock Road.

Boof!!!
Close-up of the Log at the bottom of the rapid
First slide on the river left side.
Pretty fun rapid near the start of the steep section
A view from upstream of the log and the right line that can be run when the water is up
This is the 1st slide you get to after the flat water that follows Super Socem Dog. The begining of the steepest section of river
Before the boof at Super Socem Dog
River Left line at Edge of the world. Watch out for the Log!!

Due to the amount of wood on this run, and pinny nature or the run, creekboats are a pretty good choice. There is also a decent amount of scouting to be done, so wear some good booties.

Just above super soc-em-dog is a blind corner. Hidden in the blind corner is a riverwide tree just above water level that is a mandatory portage on river left. The eddy on river left is only good for about three boats. Make sure the eddys are clear before you make the final moves.

There is still a tree in the undercut of the first slide, but the left and middle lines are good to go.

Two more rapids were portaged due to badly placed wood. In addition we were able to paddle over or around about 8 riverwide strainers in the flatwater.

The rest of the rapids were good class 4 and class 4 plus.

1 foot is a great water level on the Chauga, rumor has it that the river might have crested as high as 1.5 while we were on it.

First slide. Stay out of the wood filled undercut on the bottom right.

Went a Little to far center almost petoned on the Rock Shelf below hit the Rock Pretty hard.But Was ok..

Myself and company checked out this run for our first time. Neat river, yet the flatwater is the biggest price to pay for a chance at this falls.
The second big drop on the run. It was still raining at this part of our trip.

One of my favorite boofs.

Matt Wood runs the third rapid on the run. (1:Welcome to Chuaga, 2:Super Sock 'em Dog, 3:this slide) Note the log in the foreground. Chauga Gorge collects wood. Scout all drops for wood.
Matt Wood running the lead in boogie water to Edge of the World. In the very distant background you can see Close to the Edge.
At 1 foot, three large holes form below Edge of the World. Here is Milt Aitken running one of them.
Black Hole gets its name from the nasty undercut rock on river left this paddler is trying to avoid.
Marshall Fox running Otter Falls towards the end of the gorge.
David DeHart runs Close To The Edge, the last major rapid before Edge of the World.
Carter Fay does a nice boof on the center line at Riley Moore Falls.
David DeHart has a little fun running the left side of Riley Moore Falls.
Ok, all together now.... WOW!
Carter Fay running one of the many small ledges and slides that finish the gorge
Matt Wood running one of the many ledges and slides that finish the gorge
Matt Wood running, yet another, one of the many small ledges and slides that finish the gorge
The best boof spot is just to the left of the highest point on the drop.
The best boof spot is just to the left of the highest point on the drop. I think Carter Fay found it.
Welcome to Chauga is the first rapid on the run. Amy Conger runs the right side of the rock island.
Welcome to Chauga is the first rapid on the run. Carter Fay runs the left side of the rock island.

One of the best boofs in the South East!!

This is the riverwide waterfall on the Chauga Gorge. The drop is about 15 feet tall and riverwide. Its usually run off the right side when the water is high enough.

AW Volunteer of the Month for March of 2004 proves that not only is he a great lawyer, but he can boof!

Trees block the line below the first slide in the Gorge but the left line is now open.
The tree is gone on river left.