Photo by: Andy Dobson       Rapid Vertigo

 

 

 

 

Class V.3

 

 

River Level Beta:

 

Brush Creek needs 1"of rain for a boney run during Nov-Mar, though a lot of early summer runs have happened here also. For better water run a 1.75-2" rain would be the norm.

 

If you aren't use to falling off a mountain (which this is) it is best to start with low water, and come back each time, with more water. Also note that Brush has fairly good watershed, and gives Roaring Creek most of it's water, and can be run when Roaring Creek has just dropped out.

 

Gauge(s):

 

Handpainted:

 

You can use the Roaring Creek hand-painted gauge, around /near 2 ish is good. I purposely used the word "ish" because  Roaring is a creek that is dynamically changing at the take-out, and  the gauge is a guidepost to help. Use it for a benchmark for you next run. Not your first.

 

Internet gauge:

 

This really a joke, it is presently based off the Tellico gauge, and is not even in the same mountain range. The North Chick gauge is so wildly off, and changes every year and flood, that is not predictable enough and it is on the same ridge. The Tellico gauge is used to draw attention , and not accurate at all, use it ONLY AS A REFERENCE to know if it might  be running. If I was seriously using internet gauges I would use Tellico, Emory, Town, and then the North Chick if they are running above  a "normal" level then you have a good reference.

 

 

                         Photo by Andy Dobson  Rapid : Bottom section of Vertigo

 

 

More River Level Beta:

 

To know if Brush got enough rain  Click Here

The T.V.A. rain gauges are tied in. First check the Pikeville gauge. It is the closest to the headwaters. Then check the Dayton and Watts Bar rain gauges to make sure it wasn't an isolated storm. One inch of Nov-Mar. rain is needed for a boney run. A 1.75-2 inch of rain will bring up to Class V standards. This method is more accurate than any internet river gauge. A NOTE here T.V.A. is behind the 8-ball on this one, their readings are not in real time.

 

For accumulative rain; graphed readings click here:

 

 

 

 

Local Issues:

 

 

The biggest problem here is the put-in is at a Seven-day Adventist Compound; (Laurel Brook ) security there is very tight. The times I was there I was confronted by guys with ear piece radios, dark suits, and even sunglasses. My family use to deliver flowers there for local florist and was treated the same every time she delivered. You need to perform a hot Kayak Assault. The put-in is on a county road, and is not trespassing, but why make life harder than it really is. Have a shuttle bunny, dress out at the take out and jump in. DO NOT DRIVE AROUND THE COMPOUND like a Florida tourist, you will ruin this great run for everyone else if you do.

 

 

History:

 

First run by Jim Little (oc-1), Mike" Louie" Lewis (oc-1), Mark Cumnock (k-1) Steve Smith (k-1) at very low water, in the early 90's which was documented on Falling Off Walden's Ridge

 

Second and Third descents were by Mark Cumnock and Steve Smith, with a higher water level each time. With more rapids being knocked out with lot�s of broken gear each time. (To the point of gear bankruptcy), and using the tired and true method of rock-paper-scissors.

 

The only rapid named so far is Vertigo, the rest are waiting for carnage or adventure to name.

 

My best memory of the run is Mike "Louie" Lewis talking to security. He said ,"Yes Sir we will leave, your right", then chunked his boat, and in two giant steps was out of sight in his boat. Well that was our clue....I was so unprepared for Louie's hot put-in, less than a 1/4 in the run Steve Smith asks "Are you wearing your lifejacket under your drytop?....my response...."DOH"!!!

 

 

 

As of summer 2004 its only been attempted 3 or 4 times. Until Jan 2006 when a heavy hitting group consisting of:

 

Andy Dodson (k-1)

Ted Hayes (k-1)

Jason Murrell(k-1)

 

Water Level: From Ted Hayes

 

Bear was 11-12"
N Chick was about 3.5'
Roaring 2'
Richland was 1'

 

 

Re-discovered  the run  in Jan.  2006 with a perfect water level, until this time the conditions had been wrong, and they were dedicated enough to go in and cut the trees out during the dry season. The rapid pictures are posted from their run and a special thanks is given to Andy Dodson for the use of the pictures and taking the camera.

 

                                

                                 Photo by Andy Dobson   Middle Section of Brush

 

 

 

Put-in:

 

The Brush Creek take-out is located off of Ogden Road, and is located on Page 25 on the Tennessee Atlas and Gazetteer.

 

 

Take-out:

 

You use the same take-out that Roaring Creek uses, and a side note here you are extremely close to McGill Creek which makes a good plan "B"  The Brush Creek take-out is located on Brayton Mountain Road, and is located on Page 25 on the Tennessee Atlas and Gazetteer.