Ilha Creek

Upper Island is seldom if ever paddled. The water is clean, and it cuts through protected lands administered by TWRA. Lower Island Creek is one of the best in the south and soaks up all the oxygen in the area, and rightfully so, but if you're looking for a clean and wild exploratory experience with the associated type 2 behaviors like portaging logs and scouting while holding onto rhododendron, Upper Island provides this and more. There are some really scenic spots, as well as a few drops, one of which is really nice. Budget at least a few hours to pick your way through without incident.

The entire run is located within Catoosa Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and is managed by TWRA. This area is closed during big game hunts as well as the wildlife rest period occurring from February 1st through the last Friday in March of every year. For big game hunt dates, chase this info down on the Catoosa section of the TWRA website, or in the annual hunting seasons publication.

Upper Island is pretty small, narrower than the average tree is tall. And that tells the story of what most of the hazards consist of. A 2020 run saw a handful of portages, but it was otherwise cleaner than one might expect. There is a ledge early on that's kind okay, but halfway through is a really nice ledge with a sweet smear river-left. Below here the walls get more interesting, with pretty tributaries cascading in and some nice canyon bluffs on river-left, with some nice squeezes and flumes. Wood avoidance skills should be well cut. The last mile down to the normal put-in for Island is often wood-filled, so feel free to take out once the road comes down to river level.

Flows: Island should be at least medium for a run, but I wouldn't want much more due to the impending risk of trees.