White water rafting and the AT.

Hello all,

I am obviously new to the site and have recently started backpacking and hiking again after many years being "off the trail". I was inquiring if any of know of any good areas near the AT where we could have a good 3 to 4 day hike ending the trip on the 5th day of some white water rafting. Any suggestions?


Tom

I changed my screen name but am still inquiring. I've done a little research and it seems like Harpers Ferry is one option.

Tom

Franklin, NC to Nantahala Outdoor Center (near Wesser, NC) is 27 miles with some decent climbs and great views from Siler Bald and Wayah Bald. The trip ends right at the original NOC with plenty of rafting opportunities.

Ron Haven, owner of Franklin's Budget Inn, offers a hiker rate for rooms and will shuttle your vehicle up to NOC and you back to the AT trailhead near Franklin for ~$50-60. It would be a scenic trip with a classic float at the end.

Or you could hike from Fontana Dam (south edge of the Smokies) south to NOC. Again 27 miles, though the climbs are steeper with less views. The Hike Inn would be available for shuttles.

Another decent option would be Davenport Gap (north edge of the Smokies) north to Hot Springs, NC, about 36 miles. There are a number of outfitters in town and just outside of town running raft trips on the French Broad River. Plus, you get the experience of finishing with a classic trail town. Curtis Owen of Standing Bear Farm and Hostel again will provide lodging and shuttle services. He tends to charge less than others on the trail corridor. The e-mail listed is no good, but you can reach him by calling the phone number on the webpage in the evenings. Standing bear is located about two miles from Davenport Gap.

These are the areas I know well regionally (and I have rafted with NOC on both the Nantahala and French Broad), and businesses I have had good experiences with. If you have any other questions, let me know.

Thank you bearpaw! I'll look into the info you gave me and will let you know of any other questions.


Tom

Tom:

The best option for you will depend on how far you're willing to travel and what time of year. Options in New England are, in my subjective descending order by desirability:

West Branch of the Penobscot, Maine: Class 4-5, beautiful, but somewhat demanding, with Katahdin occasionally in the background. Should be running (off dam releases) all Summer.

Kennebec Gorge, Maine: Class 4, and good clean fun. Also nice scenery and finishes at route 201 maybe ten miles North of the AT crossing. Will also be running reliably all Summer.

Deerfield, Mass.: Class 3-4, relatively easy. Somewhat short at maybe 5 miles, and I'm not certain of the distance from the AT. Runs most, but not all weekends in the Summer.

Housatonic, CT: Bull's Bridge is Class 4, and has a short season in the Spring. The main reason I bring it up (it's about a 3 miles run), is that the AT crosses it at the put-in. The scenery here isn't as dramatic as up in NH or ME, but it's at least very pleasant, and surprisingly semi-wilderness given the proximity to NYC.

All of the above have commercial raft tripper service.

Hope this helps.

Paul

Paul,

I would LOVE to go north especially Maine to do this AT/river rafting trip. But since I live in the Cincinnati Ohio it would be cheaper in gas, and quicker to get there in most southern locations on the AT. Plus June or July is really the only two months this summer I'm going to be able to do it because I'm getting married and my sister is having her first child all in Auguest.

On a side note and unrelated we are trying to see if we can honeymoon in Maine on the coast. However, I am marrying a woman who not real "outdoorsy" and she's not the hiking and backpacking type, (She has other great qualities that makes her a keeper...lol). Cottage and hotel prices are outrageous in Maine, and even if we spent the money to get one we wouldn't have much left to do anything else. We are also considering New England, Rhode Island, and Vermont, but all those honeymoon spots are pricey also.


South might be the best bet. I am planning a AT trip in Maine in the summer of 09 so I may be hitting you up for info.


Tom

Tom,

I haven't paddled (I'm a kayaker) much south of West Virginia, so if you're thinking of heading further south, I can't add much. I know this doesn't necessarily fit into your plan of rafting near the AT, but you're relatively close to the Gauley River and the New River Gorge in West Virginia, and they're 2 of my favorites.

Regarding the Maine coast, I've done fairly well renting off-season (September/October) on the Eastern shore ("Down East"). It gets a lot quieter, with fewer tourists, when you get east of Acadia.

Good luck with your planning.

Regards,

Paul