Etowah

On 03 April 2011, we paddled the 11 mile section from Hugh Stowers Rd to Kelly Bridge Rd. We were impressed that a flatwater creek moved at a nice clip (cfs was ~320).

There were 2 riverwide strainers in that first 2 mile section between Hugh Stowers & Hway 9; the first was less than a half mile from the put in. We removed SOME of it, opening up a decent gap (though still requiring a 'duck under') on river-left immediately along the bank that will be safe ducking under at lower water levels (say, <400). However, at higher water levels that 'duck under' on the left will be dangerous, but the center might become open allowing a scoot-over.

The second strainer is about 1/4 mile before (upstream of) the Highway 9 bridge & ramp. This huge mess is a fresh fall, and in addition to several trees, was also a thick jungle of thorny vines. We managed to clear enough of it on river-right next to the bank to scoot over & through. At low currents (below <400), it should be slow enough to ease through the narrow opening we cut right next to the right bank. (Portaging didn't seem judicious; both banks were high & very steep for a ways downstream, and the thorn vines looked just as bad or worse on top as down on the river.) I'll post photos later.

Rest of the trip from Hway 9 to Kelly Bridge was fantastic (and no riverwide strainers); we averaged 3.5mph with very little paddling. We loved the gorgeous 80ft cascading falls up the Barefoot Creek tributary, about 1.5 - 2 miles before the takeout.