After gathering advice from fellow kayakers on the Yough, I decided to take a family trip to WV. After all, it's further north and in the mountains, promising a break from the heat in central NC. And I was warned about the area being wet. Very wet. My aim was at the Upper Yough due to scheduled releases (Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays) and its IV-V.0 level. Drew, who I know from the Watauga, was willing to show me down the first two days.

River: Rocky (Cape Fear River Basin)

Section: Pittsboro-Goldston Road (Chatham County 1010) to Chatham Church Road (Chatham County 1953)

Length: 4.4 miles

Paddlers: Bobby Simpson, OC-1; Bob Brueckner, K-1

Weather: mid-40s, overcast, mostly calm

Level: Crutchfield Crossroads (17.8 cfs), Siler City (228 cfs) and Tick Creek (34.0 cfs) Also several perennial and intermittent creeks

 

By Bob Brueckner

 

It’s a wrap for the 2nd Annual Fall Novice trip.  There were 32 paddlers, 2 dogs and 1 cat!  We did the Hanging Rock to Moratock Park section of the Dan River which features several nice rock formations as well as the old Iron Furnace at out take out. This is the section too, that the TPA did a river clean up on last weekend.  Water level was low but it was clear and cool and otherwise conditions were great.  These are a few comments heard along the way: “I feel my stress level just.. drop!