Thunderhead Prong
to confluence with Lynn Camp Prong
| Difficulty | IV |
| Length | 0.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 300 fpm |
| Gauge | Little River Above Townsend, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 23 minutes | 1.83 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 4, 2010 |
This is the most quality section of whitewater in the whole drainage of the Middle Prong of the Little. It is short but very sweet. It is about 0.6 miles from the confluence with Sam's Creek down to the putin for Upper Tremont at the confluence with Lynn Camp Prong. In this stretch the river averages over 300 feet per mile, which is quite intense with good water. At low levels this run is class 4, but at high water, have the class 5 skills to have good chances of survival.
Hiking up, you will cross an iron footbridge. You are just upstream of the biggest rapid on the run, which pretty much runs all the way down to Lynn Camp Prong. Take a quick look to make sure its clear of wood and remember to turn the game on when you get here on the creek. Continuing upstream through the great rhododendron scenery the smokies are famous for, take an occasional look at the creek to ensure that no wood lurks. It was totally clean as of 12/06 except for one spot halfway down. After crossing over a branch coming in from your right, be ready to start looking for the confluence with Sam's Creek. Some have hiked higher on both branches above here, but it's mighty small.
After sliding in, run a short boogie series before launching a blind and totally awesome 8-foot rocket launch of a boof. The stream then picks up and holds to class 4 all the way down to the footbridge before the last big one.
The big one is best run down the middle with lots of speed and no flipping over. There are holes in here with good flows so heads up on that too. When you get to the takeout, hike back up for many more, or head down Tremont with good water and watch out for the rocks!
Best run in the area for sure!
Nov 18, 2017
Log about halfway down, wasn't easily visible from the hike-up. 11/7/2017 about 120cm on the Tremont gauge
Jul 27, 2004
From Tony on Boatertalk:
Got skunked on the WP, but I was pleasently surprised by the Thunderhead Prong. New
Forum: BoaterTalk
Date: Jul 28 2004, 1:31 GMT
From: TonyRobinson
I've always dissmissed those who sung the praises of Thunderhead Prong as it is not very steep, has no big drops, and I assumed it was a junky at the Tremont section below it. I was wrong. It isn't steep nor does it have big drops, but it has exceptionaly esthetic lines for a creek of its size and gradient. The lines have no f-you rocks in them and the rocks are placed where you have perfect s-turn chicanes. The only problem is that it is short and it drops you out onto the Tremont section. Tremont isn't bad at higher water, but even at medium levels it has a lot of annoying f-you rocks in too many of the lines.
