Potomac, S. Branch

4. US 220 Bridge North of Upper Tract to Big Bend Campground(Upper Smokehole Canyon)

Reach banner

June 2, 2020

Trip Report

ReporterChristopher M Duran

Landslide is still unrunnable as of early May, 2020. The portage is along the opposite bank and, trust me, isn't worth it due to the steep gradient and bushwhacking through poison ivy. I can't emphasize enough that one should put-in below this rapid by skipping the first mile or two of the canyon. I have a tentative plan to go in with a chainsaw in October and liberate Landslide. This run is night and day different from lower Smoke Hole Canyon starting from Big Bend-- whereas in the latter you have one or two class II+, the class III wave trains are abundant and at times continuous in upper Smoke Hole (i.e., this run).

Trip Report – Upper Smokehole Canyon | American Whitewater