French Broad River, March 1, 2008
Trip Leader: Dennis Catoe
Date: March 1, 2008 11am
Paddlers (9): Dennis Catoe, Mike Hollis, Linda Gray, Bruce Monson, Hattie Monson, Spencer Rice, Jean Rice, Louis Drucker, and Margaret Kosco.
Conditions: Delightful day, sunny, mid-50s, breezy headwind. Water level was 1120 cfs with good current. This is a good minimal level as the median level is 2170 cfs. Our average speed when moving was 3.5 mph with stops it averaged 2.8 mph. Time on water approximately 12 noon to 2 pm.
Trip Description: French Broad River from Bent Creek Park put-in to Hominy Creek Park take-out. Just south of downtown Asheville. Paddle is 6.55 miles ; 1 hr 53 min, moving flat water to Class I. Good for all boat types. Good for beginners. Allow 3 hours drive from Columbia to put-in; put-in is within 20 minutes of downtown Asheville.
Hazards: Moving water with several small ledges and shoals which can be easily avoided with good boat control and good eye to read river. The first bridge at I-26 is Class 1 rapid, avoid far left bridge column marked with red arrow but between right of red arrow and 2nd column marked in blue paint.
Additional hazard: At a rest break on river right at the horse stables, we pulled into a cove for snacks while in our boats. There is a large rain-sewage drain pipe with a steady flow. Linda Gray accidentally backed into it with her sit-on-top which caused her kayak to fill-up. After that, Linda was made to stay down-wind from us.
Put-in: Bent Creek Park (I-26 toward Asheville; just after Fletcher exit and Rd 280 exit, take Skyland exit onto Road 146, take left west on Rd 146 toward Avery Creek until road ends then turn right onto Road 191 go north, pass under Blue Ridge overpass bridge; look for park sign "Bent Creek" along river on right).
Take-out: Hominy Creek Park, follow Rd 191 north past I-40 and I-26, before hill, turn left on Shelburne Rd go one block then turn left again on Hominy Creek Rd, go to end parking lot).
Accommodations: No scheduled camping this trip but members could either drive from Columbia to Asheville (about 2.5 hour drive) and put-in or find local hotels or campgrounds. There are hotels at Skyland exit and at airport exit - Rd 280.
Coordinates:
Put-in: 35.5019N, 82.5931W
Take-out: 35.5553N, 82.5906W
