Piney River

Great run! 3.8'' that am and 3.2'' when we got off. I would call it high or medium high as it was pushy, continuous and plenty deep with wave-trains to the end. Moccasin Creek needs a gage, but it was 8'' over the cement 'bridge'. We spend 2.5 hrs on the run and 2 hrs just on shuttle as the road is slow, though passable in any sedan.

No wood on Moccasin, one log across the right hand channel (where most water goes) just below the 'slide' 2 drops before 'hungry jack.' Marked the spot with orange tape, ran down far left into next fun rapid. Lots of dangling wood from bank in run-out of Piney but all easily missable at this level.

This is a great, incredibly scenic and under appreciated run that I would consider a step up from Tellico / Daddy's / Spring / White's Creek or Clear Creek due to the length, isolation and continuity but a great warm-up to Caney Fork, North Chick, Island etc.

The individual rapids are fun but the number of them and length that it carries that same class 3 difficulty is impressive.

The action is solid 3+ from that first 4' ledge down to the ledge, the slide, the tougher rapid above Jack with the logs on right and Hungry Jack (4+?). Some big water fun stuff below Hungry Jack then it drops down progressively to 2-3 then 2 with occasional 3 to keep you on your toes. Overall a class 4 run at this level due to the remote nature and long day. Bring your breakdown, food and headlight! A pinned boat could mean hiking further than you would enjoy. Trail starts at Duskin Creek.

The scenery is magnificent - 100' Hemlocks tower over the river and rock walls up to 60' high flank the sides off and on with waterfalls cascading down them. No trash, but an old rock road can be seen crossing occasionally making me wonder who lived up here. So glad I took the day off Bear to check out this class 4 gem I will definitely visit again. Clay