Little Pigeon, Middle Prong
1. Ramsey Prong confluence to Bridge at Trailhead
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 1.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 414 fpm |
| Gauge | Little Pigeon River Above Sevierville, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 6065 days | 357 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 2, 2007 |
River Description
This is one of the most quality runs in the Smokies. The hike up is a beautiful and pleasant walk through the smokies. It is a little steeper pitch and more constant than Big Creek's hike up, but is shorter. And heck, the steeper the hike, the better the run, right?
This run is of the same difficulty as the Trailhead Section of the West Prong. It has a little more breathing room as far as pace and continuity, but this is undermined by the larger drops spaced more frequently and evenly along the run than the WP. Unlike the West Prong's large drops being all put together in the distance of 1/4 mile, Ramsey's has them throughout the whole 1.4 miles. There are some incredible boofs. One near the beginning stands out as being the best in the smokies. The boogie is high quality class 5. This is considering the boogie on Upper Big Creek is quality class 4. Interlaced in the boogie are frequent large drops that should possibly be scouted. A guide might be neccessary the first few times, as this run is braided in spots with only one channel being safe. There is a spot called the Death Sieve about 2/3 of the way down that one must be aware of. It looks just like any of the other 100's of blind turns, but is something more. There is a super cool sneak on the left. Soon after is one of the big boys, a manky entrance into a full on shallow corridor of about 20 feet in drop. The river then gathers momentum and drops over a manky ledge that is sieved out on the left. Aim right. The last big one above the eight footer at the trailhead bridge is like a big version of monster on Upper Big Creek. Walk on the left. Enjoy.
River Features
Put In
Super Boof
Ride out on the dragon's back and boof off. You will be smiling.
The First big one
A shallow ten foot lead in boof with a narrow line leads into a sharp swerve left to avoid the whole right side of the river which is a mankfest. Then one drops six feet into a crazy wash out.
Island Rapid
A huge smoothe boulder splits the flow, with a tight sieved out eight footer on the right, and a technical line with wood on the left. A portage can be accomplished after scouting by lowering down from the boulder into the eddy between the two different lines.
The flume
This is a large twelve foot sliding plunge of about 70 degrees into a big hole against the right wall. Angle right to left and get your bow up. The drop levels out at the hole to facilitate this. Really fun one.
Death Sieve
It has been run by Nate Helms and John Grace, but not recommended. There is a cool ten foot sneak on the left, where you push off the wall, kinda like silver box on the West Prong at low water. Good fun.
You gonna like it
A long series of shoulder and pourover boofs spaced closely and super steep. There will be an abnormally large drop somewhere near the bottom of ten feet or so into a large hole. You should be grinning by the time you get there.
Toby's Tumble
This is a large rapid of extended length that may require a scout.
Big Monster
Just doesn't look like any fun. A huge piton/pin at the bottom of an abrupt manky drop. Portage on the left.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportHeadcam of this section.
http://www.creeking.info/2011/01/ramsey-prong-headcam.html
Photo taken by John Trembley.
Photo taken by Taft Sibley.
Photo taken by John Trembley.
The perfect boof to start off a great run