Saluda, South
2- Blyth Shoals - Hwy 11 to Talley Bridge
| Difficulty | III-IV(V) |
| Length | 1.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 55 fpm |
| Gauge | South Saluda River Near Cleveland, Sc |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 18 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 3, 2023 |
River Description
Puttin: The puttin is a pullout on highway 11 is roughly about .7 of a mile upstream from where the river takes a sharp turn away from highway 11.
Takeout: Just follow Blythe Shoals Rd. down to Talley Bridge. Please try to be as low profile and keep as close to the bridge as possible while taking out.
The Landowners: Please respect the landowners and the NO TRESPASSING signs. I have heard of a landowner here to escort people trying to fish on his property out with a shotgun in hand. Also if something occurs where you must get out of the boat try to stay out of sight.
The Blyth Shoals section of the South Saluda is a short, extremely steep, micro gorge. The South Saluda River makes a 90-degree turn in the town of Blyth Shoals and plunges over a multi drop waterfall of the same name. This would be a great roadside whitewater run with good water after local rains but most of the river is HEAVILY posted with no trespassing signs. You can not get out to scout the big drop. The only way to scout is to do so while running shuttle. After the big rapid the river pools and then squeezes into a tight boulder filled drop above Talley Bridge.
At 400 cfs the big drop at Blyth Shoals becomes a class V monster rapid that could easily be mistaken for a big drop on the Green Narrows.
Blyth Shoals has been run at a variety of levels by boaters with expert skills. At low flows intermediate paddlers have run these rapids upright.
River Features
Put In
Blythe Shoals
A three tiered falls which can be run many ways, but the most common way is to start left then to the middle of the river for a small boof, be sure to boof because there is a pothole in the middle of a river and another on river left of that same middle drop. Then head back to left to skirt the hole. At the right level there can be a small surf wave just after the last major hole. The land owner on left is grumpy so try not to have a run in with him.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI ran this section yesterday and at 130cfs there was a log that you had to portage on the flat water approach to big shoals. There were numerous other trees that you had to duck under or go around, but once you hit the gorge it opened up and there's no wood in play. There's a down tree on river right a small rapid or two past the shoals that could be a concern, but it's easy to spot and avoid. We ended up doing two laps and there's a really nice surf wave at the bottom of blyth shoals at that level. Beautiful run and fun too.
Ran this in the spring when NFFB had run at a low level earlier in the day.
Some property owners are grumpy along this short stretch. Do your research to know where you can put-in legally before you do your run.
There is land owned by Naturatrust just above the slides that could be used as well as some land further upstream owned by SCDNR. Stay in your boat if at all possible and be respectful if nosy folks end up watching you from shore like they did for us.
At the takeout, you should climb out under the bridge and almost touch the bridge as you climb the bank. Great little 1/2 mile of Class III/IV in an unexpected spot.
id love to run it,ive been looking at it for some time,let me know if your interested,jake,864-898-0827
I'll run this if there's at least 3 ft on the visual guage at Matthews Creek, I'm usually around there at the parents on holidays, 5 minutes away
the line is a slide river left at the top
the next part boof the middle, don't pencil, there is a pothole
At the bottom the flow concentrates to the middle and there is a hole to skirt or punch
anyone interested in running this call me at 864-350-0344
This is a poor photograph of the rather amazing class V Blyth Shoals. At 400 cfs these shoals are every bit as difficult and impressive as the Powerslide or Bridelvail falls.