Courthouse Creek

Fun day during a fall hurricane with pretty ideal flows.

Ran this creek 7/5/2013 @ 2' 6' on the 215 bridge at the take out, the French Broad Rosman gauge was around 2500 and dropping, we rant it & again on 7/7/2013 @ 2' 0' on the 215 bridge, the Rosman gauge was around 1700 cfs. On 7/5/13 we got to the high water bridge, and choose not to drive across and hiked up the 1.5 miles to the water fall, none of us ran the falls. There was some wood in the section between the falls and the low water bridge but we didn't have to portage any rapids, we only got out to scout for wood. There was less wood above the low water bridge than below the low water bridge. On these dates you could paddle the stretch without portaging wood but a few spots were tight or required some precise moves.

This was a great run at 2' 6' and when we found our selves out there again 2 days later at 2' we still had a good time. On 7/7/13 we did not drive or hike up to the falls, just did a few laps from the low water bridge down. 2' is a good minimum, any lower and it would probably get scrappy but I would do it again at 2' for sure.

Alakaazam-information found, problem solved, thanks!

Below low water bridge

At what levels does it run? High on the North Fork gauge?

Below the falls is a class 5 section with lots of potential for wood.

Most people put in on the lower run from the low water bridge down. This option is great micro creeking with wood pontial. As of December 06 there was only wood on one spot which was a mandatory portage and you can see it from the road. There is more wood but you can sneak around it.

The road going up to Courthouse Falls is open again.

After finding the creek too low to run, the hike into Courthouse Falls was a good substitute.

To access the falls/creek: drive past the North Fork put-in a few miles, on 215, until you pass through a very small community, there will be a small trout farm on your left- turn onto the forest road on the right(It is currently gated off), just before the bridge:the creek will cross 215 here. The falls are about 10min, by car, up the road. after the 2nd or so bridge there will be a trail off to the left, park on the right and you can hike to the falls from here. For the upper portions of the creek, continue driving/hiking up the dirt road. The creek is roadside the majority of the way. There is a tributary, about 300yards up from the gate, which continues along HWY 215, which is worth looking at: very tight, technical, steep slides and big drops.

Is this the roadside run that is part of the upper North Fork or just the waterfall?

45-footer into a pretty shallow pool. It has been run a few times.