Little

Paddled two stretches of this section in April 2017. Day one in my WW kayak at approx 900cfs; first time floating this section. Day two in my open canoe Esquif Pocket Canyon, me and my 70 pound dog at about 800cfs. To be clear, I am a class IV kayaker. I agree with the others that this would be a routine run for anyone comfortable on the Nantahala, the Hiwassee, the Lower Green, the Middle Tellico, the Tuck, the Lower Pigeon. There were no rapids likely to 'sneak up on you.' The rapid below the pedestrian bridge near Kinzel Springs will not surprise you. The rapid below the bridge at Walland (not far downstream of the Chilhowee Inn bed & breakfast) will also not surprise you because, well, you'll have that bridge to warn you it's not too far ahead. The road noise is a bit disappointing, but the scenery is nice. I spoke to some folks at the Townsend, TN 'Visitor Center' who definitely reminded me not to put-in at 'The Wye' upstream in the smokies because the land owner of the first 'old mill dam' reacts very strongly to any trespassers. The Visitor Center people suggested that the two tubing companies near the US321 bridge in downtown Townsend might be willing to let someone launch from their site and possibly, maybe, possibly even park a car if tourist levels are low.