Saluda, Middle

There is now a gauge on the North Saluda at the Hwy 11 bridge. It should correlate fairly well to this run but the range needs to be determined. Friends say when the North Saluda is above 4 ft (about 50 cfs), it is worth a look to check the paddler's gauge at Hwy 288. The gauge is on on old bridge support downstream river left that can bee seen from the Hwy 288 bridge. Zero on the paddlers' gauge is supposed to be a good minimum.

Back in high school we used to tube this section of the Saluda that runs through our farm - from Hwy 276 to Pumpkintown Rd. - but only a few times did it have enough water for a person to scrape down in a kayak, though a case of beer is light enough to float down most of the crazy whitewater. Watch out for trees down, fish hooks, creepy reds, snakes, and debris from the old mills that used to be around there. Decent playboating upsteam a little if you get back on 276 headed toward Brevard and take a right at the F-Mart. You can see what rapids there are as you drive along the road. Beer and burgers at the F-Mart to follow. That's a good afternoon in the upstate.