Photo by: Samantha B.
After Cheoah Fest Saturday, we were all wonderin' where to go - "where did the water hold?" Me and Sam Left Tapoco Lodge early in the morning to meet up with the rest of the Memphis crew in Knoxville. We don't get to paddle with these guys much and they're our good local friends. How could we turn down a trip on the plateau with them? There was one particular creek we all had in mind that had been on my hit list for a long long time - Island Creek (III-IV+) It's not that tough, but it is super continuous and incredibly HIGH quality. The only catch this day was that the park was closed to all traffic and people, except turkey & pig hunters. A $140+ citation awaited each of us if we got caught on that land. So we geared up and loaded all the boats onto one car, planning in the car who would get what strap and who would unload where, etc. We got our move all dialed in so we could be super fast and super stealth. Dr. Sonny pulled up at the bridge and we flew out of the car unloading and hopping in the water! I'm not sure how necessary it all was, but we definitely weren't supposed to be there. There's something about illegal access on a beautiful day that just makes it all seem extra special. The put-in was just as epic as the run, and just the start to an AWESOME run down!
Photo of Samantha B. by: me
Photo of me by: Samantha B.
Our crew consisted of me, Samantha Brunner, Drew Armstrong, Jason Salomon, and Mike Womack.... Sonny S. ran our shuttle and risked the ticket himself to get us into this beautiful place! Island starts off in a beautiful micro-stream bed with a bit of light brush in the river. Gradually, it picks up speed with slide after slide after slide... just perfect slides and small boulder rapids drops with some of the most beautiful water I've ever paddled on. This creek really reminded me of Colorado Creeking with less gradient and easier drops.... I can't describe how pristine and high quality it is - definitely a new favorite! Check out the pics! :-)
Photo of Chris Lyon on "Compound Fracture" by: me
Photo of Drew Armstrong by: Samantha B.
Photo of Mike Womack on in "Compound Fracture" by: Samantha B.
Photos of Jason Salomon in "Compound Fracture" by: Samantha B.
Photo of Mike Womack green grindin' by: Samantha B.
Photo of me on Island Creek by: Samantha B.
Photo of Samantha B. by: yours truly ;-)
Photo of me by: Samantha B.
Hope you enjoyed the pics! This trip was AWESOME. Island Creek will definitely continue to be one of my favorite runs in TN. It is truly "The Jewl of the Cumberland Plateau"!!!
- Boyd :-)
