Pigeon, West Fork
3. Along Hwy 215 (Upper)
| Difficulty | IV-V(V+) |
| Length | 3.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 200 fpm |
| Gauge | W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 25 minutes | 58 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 2, 2023 |
Projects
Western North Carolina is home to the highest mountains in the eastern US, abundant rainfall, globally significant biodiversity, and large tracts of federal lands. In combination these things add up to an incredible array of whitewater rivers and streams that have long been paddling classics. While many communities rely [...]Read More
River Description
The West Fork of the Pigeon offers several miles of steep class IV and V creeking with clear tanic water and a mix of great boulder and bedrock rapids. A significant step down in difficulty from the Big East Fork, but the West Fork still offers some big complex rapids, all of which can be reasonably portaged.
The first mile or so is class IV-V rock bouncing depending on flow. The river picks up a cleaner class IV-V character below Detention Center and continues with that character until the last mile where it turns into class III boogie. One rapid is typically portaged. This is a good one to follow a local down!
The put in is a nondescript pull-out along 215 a ways downstream of the Gargen of the Gods bridge (where 215 crosses the West Fork with the upstream view of a waterfall), and requires a short hike down into the gorge. The takeout is roadside at the confluence with the Middle Fork.
Chris Bell's Asheville Area Boating Beta Page probably has the best info on the run. See also Leland Davis's NC Rivers and Creeks. Here is a video of most of the run:
West Fork Pigeon from American Whitewater on Vimeo.
River Features
Putin
Detention Center
Scout on left. Run right to left, the bottom drop is a confusing hole that will detain.
The next drop down has an undercut on left.
Haywood County Jail
Waterfall coming in on the left just before this three stager. Complete with a tricky notch center drop.
Portage
An old growth long embedded into the rapid makes for one mean sieve. Waterfall coming in on right, portage left. The rapid below this has a stout hole.
Take Out
Confluence of Middle Prong and West Fork of the Pigeon.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportFlows spiked on us and went from a comfortable low side of medium to a higher flow that was a lot pushier and the holes took on a lot more punch as the day progressed.
Ran this gem on 2/24/19. Level at the USGS 03455500 W F PIGEON R ABOVE LAKE LOGAN NR HAZELWOOD, NC gage was 900 to 600 cfs, dropping while we were on the run. We felt that this was a good first time level, but it could use a tad more water. Less water would be undesirable. Run is 3 miles, drops a tad over 750 so 250 feet per mile. Haywood County is the highlight, a big un.
For more great photos and videos check out Lelands Paddle Page.
This is the the small waterfall entering river right just above the portage.
This is the upstream view of the log sieve rapid.
Just for clarity's sake, this strainer mentioned in the post BELOW is a large old growth tree log, nearly river-wide, and has been there for years. Mandatory portage. According to 'southeastcreekin' on BT, 'Be careful it's blind and looks like any other drop on the river -- but paddling over that horizon line would be almost sure death!!! If you are unfamiliar with the run...scout everything that is blind until you get past it..its not worth taking a chance with this one.' ....(actually, I've paraphrased his quote slightly to make it clearer. JP)
Another river hazard...W. Fork Pigeon in N.C. riverwide death sieve
Forum: BoaterTalk
Date: Mar 20, 2003 02:11 GMT
From:Flow
It's been mentioned on BT previously, but it's worth mentioning again. On the run putting in right below the Garden of the Gods madness to the place where the road runs right next to the river for the first time(the obvious takeout), it's about 2/3 of the way down. It's not obvious at all, and is apparently a relatively new feature. Be careful.