Brush Creek

I walked it on 3-25-03. It looked all clear except for one low overhanging branch in the enterance to the second to last big slide. I would characterize this run as very tight. When I walked down from Bernard I wasn't sure it was even the right creek because it was so small. From the top: The first significant rapid is a long series of short slides culminating in a 6 to 10 foot boof requiring a sharp right turn and another sharp left to set up. The landing is into a very shallow pool. This is also the toughest rapid to scout because there are rosebushes on both sides of the river and no shore access. I hiked right up the middle of the creek. Next there are three or four fairly straight forward slides into pretty good sized pools. The last of the slides runs right to left and at low water the left wall of the slide looks undercut about halfway down, not a good place to get stuck. With enough water you can probably get enough right to left momentum to avoid these. The next drop is a steep slide of about 25-30 feet that goes vertical for the last 10 or so feet. The entrance looks pretty clean but I wasn't real sure about the depth of the pool at the base of the drop. I was able to climb up from the river left side of the drop and I think a portage there would be possible. Things mellow after this with more broken ledges and slides to the French Broad. The hike back to Bernard on the railroad took about 10 minutes which would be a good option for short shuttle and multiple runs. That's all I have. I haven't run it and I don't think I will anytime soon. Steep stuff.