Little Pigeon, West Prong

I've looked at this run a bunch of times but never been able to get on it , but while in town with the parents and hiking around I walked up from the chimney tops campground/ picnic area today to a spot bout a quarter of a mile from the campground area and noticed a huge hemlock had fallen across the whole creek. Looks like all lines lead into the mess of trees and Its at the base of a pretty steep drop. It may not be noticeable from boat scouting and It looks like it would skewer anyone coming towards it due to the broken branches. Looks like rain in the forecast and just didn't want anyone to have a big surprise. Sorry don't know the name of the rapid but there it a big log perched on a rock in the center of the river before the main entrance to the drop. Just keep a heads up!

Park Dispatch Office number (865) 436-1230 See BoaterTalk post:
http://www.boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1659925 June 25, 2009 - If you didn't catch it, an
overturned kayak was found just outside of the Smokies on the MP of the Little Pigeon. It spurred
a search and rescue scenario that was serious enough for it to be reported to local TV stations.
Not sure of the outcome and I hope everyone is OK. But this did raise a very significant question.
Who do we notify when we a boat gets pinned or gets out of our control in the Smokies and darkness
or other circumstances force us to abandon it for any period of time? My friend Russell asked this
question and this was his post on a local paddling list serve. I asked the GSMNP folks what would
be the best way to report a lost boat.Here is their reply: Hello, If there is a report of an
accident or missing person, the park responds and/or conducts a search, but just finding an empty
kayak in the water would not necessarily result in a full-fledged search and rescue effort as the
town of Pittman Center launched during the recent incident. If one of your club members loses a
boat, but is otherwise okay, please call the park's Dispatch Office at (865) 436-1230 to let them
know that an empty boat may be found and it is not an emergency situation. This is a non-emergency
line which is staffed from 6:00 a.m. - midnight, but if a serious accident or other emergency has
occurred in the park, sometimes all available dispatchers have to concentrate on radio
communications among responding units and don't answer the line. If there is an accident with a
serious injury or a member of your party is known to be missing, please call 911. Best regards,C.
BloomGreat Smoky Mountains National Park