| Middle Creek is the closest run to downtown Chattanooga, TN yet there have probably been fewer than 6 groups that have paddled it from the top of the mountain to the bottom. It is mostly rolled boulders from the top to bottom with some areas of bed rock. There is one really large waterfall in the gorge Rainbow Falls) that has not been run to date. It definitely packs MAJOR consequences if you miss your line. Below that the drops begin. No sections really have official/documented names. The one cave drop in the middle of the gorge that many people have come back drooling over, hoping to be the first to travel through if conditions are right, has been referred to as "Shoot Me In the Face with a 0.09" for the past couple years. And the fairyland drop with the huge undercut on river left (maybe even big enough that you would flush through if necessary) has been referred to as Superman.
Water Quality (1 bad 3 good)
<  horrible septic tank run-off from Signal Mountain
Scenery (1 bad 3 good) 
Maps: Watershed Map (to find location and size of creek) Click Here Special thanks to Steve Zerfos for making the map. Topo Map: Click Here A special thanks to Randy Hale of NorthRiverGeographic for the map
Paddler Kirk Williams Running "shoot me in the face with a 9mm
Want to see more pictures of this incredible run CLICK HERE
Photo by Ryan Allen
The undercut looks like a a pie wedge, gradually getting tighter as you go farther into it. If you leaned back while traveling into it you would probably pin on your back deck, in a Superman position. This would probably be very painfully as the water pressure pushed you farther into the crack too. I have mapped most of the riverbed with my camera without water present so I'll try and remember to post the pics on this page soon. The last rapid before the take out definitely has some sieves that could easily come into play.
Photo "ends to the means " by Ryan Allen
Want to see more pictures of this incredible run CLICK HERE
I think it's the nastiest rapid in there, I walked it with a cheese eating grin on my face, but it has been run successfully (Stan Pritchard). Technically everything on the creek has been run except the big waterfall and maybe one or two other drops. Portages are all easy except the big waterfall. As of early Fall 04 there was not a lot of wood in this run but occasionally it does get choked out.
Paddler Kirk Williams
Photo by Ryan Allen
Want to see more pictures of this incredible run CLICK HERE
Put In - I put in on private property and would rather keep the spot a secret, if you are going to go you can call me and I'll describe how to use it discretely.
From the video Local Hero. Paddler Ben Friberg
Take Out - Suck Creek Rd.
If you are interested in hiking this gorge there is a wonderful hike that will take you directly to the big waterfall. Go up Signal Mountain, ask directions to Signal Point. Park in the lot and follow the trail. This is definitely one of the most quality day hikes in the area. The trail follows a brow almost the entire way. If the water is up you'll eventually hear the waterfall from the trail. Even if the water isn't up you'll probably hear it even though is several hundred feet below you. Many people hike from the trail to the waterfall. Unfortunately this has caused some erosion. If you have time you can hike to Suck Creek Rd and see all the rapids and rock formations along the way. |
