While a trip from December 2007, I could not resist sharing the adventure and pictures as the first blog post to Wise Outdoor Adventures.
I camped in a travel trailer at Black Bear Cove Resort, an RV park in Benton, TN on the outskirts of the Cherokee National Forest. Check out the GORP website for a ton of activities in this recreation area. The Hiwassee River was just beyond an open field where I could put-in or take-out my Dagger Blackwater 11.5 foot kayak anytime I wanted. I paddled twice downstream from the park and once I put in above the park and paddled back. Downstream of the RV park the river was calm and relaxing, albeit a little chilly in December. Upstream the water was just as chilly but certainly more choppy as the dam was released for fishing and boating. The dam release was my queue!
 |
| Site of dam release just above the train tressel |
 |
| Train tressel boat ramp launch site in Reliance, TN |
I set out for the kayaking adventure on Christmas Eve afternoon after being dropped off just above the bridge in Reliance, TN at the old train tressel boat ramp. Luckily I had my more stable boat as I was in for a whitewater adventure and didn't fully realize it. I had my life jacket on just in case but I was bundled up with too many layers to survive well should my boat flip in the class II-III rapids. Only later did I realize the seriousness had I ended up in the river. Only 1 generator was used for the dam release that day. I couldn't imagine 2 generators. I'll leave that for the more experienced whitewater paddler.
 |
| Approaching the bridge in Reliance, TN |
Starting out the water was very shallow. Eventually the water from the dam release about a half a mile upstream caught up with me and helped push me along. I saw only a couple of fisherman this time of day, no doubt thinking I was crazy. But then again, they couldn't stay away from this beautiful waterway either. About a half to a mile downstream of my put-in, I experienced my first rapids. I didn't panic, but I was certainly running through a contingency plan should I flip. After about 2+ hours of navigating the clear waters and good number of rocks and boulders along this famous trout fishing stream, I reached the more calm portion. I paddled another mile or so and spotted my destination marked by a bench in an open field. The current wasn't too strong at this point. I paddled over to river left and climbed up the muddy bank dragging my kayak with me, thoroughly pleased for surviving another outdoor adventure. I think I was grinning ear-to-ear. About a football field length away was warmth inside the RV...and hot chocoate too! And that's how I spent Christmas Eve of 2007.
 |
| Open field in between the Hiwassee River and the Black Bear Cove Resort, an RV park where I camped |
Hiked about 3 miles of part of the John Muir Trail along the Hiwassee River from near the Powerhouse Boat area to near Childers Creek area. The first picture is from my hike along the river one early morning.
ReplyDeleteAlso, drove over to see the Ocoee River, which was the site of the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak Slalom Competition. It is just south of the Hiwassee River.