Mullens Creek
Overview:
Mullens Creek for some reason or another doesn’t get paddled that much, although it has a good watershed, and I might add it’s a very clean watershed. But Mullens isn’t one of the easy fruits to pick when it comes to running it; first the shuttle takes about two hour’s total round trip. And then there is Prentice Cooper State Park (WMA), which helps protect the run, but Turkey Hunting season kicks in when it’s the best opportunity to make your run off the mountain. Call before you go. This is the most current information we have.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 931-484-9571 or (in Tennessee only) 1-800-262-6704
Mike Bailey
Lead Wildlife Officer, Enforcement Area 32
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Radio Dispatcher; calling from:
Out of state: 931-4384-9571 Ext. 1001
In state: 1-800-262-6704 Ext. 1001
Voice Mail: same numbers as above but Ext. 3209
Cell: 423-645-5820
EcoAirman@aol.com
Shuttle: (and it's a long one! )
MAP:
A Special thanks to Randy Hale of North River Geographic for donating his resources, effort and time to make this map. To blow it up and for finer detail please click on the picture. You will need a PDF reader to enlarge the map.
*big file warning :)
If you want a better download of the map CLICK HERE
You will need a PDF reader to see it, Randy did a great job with the map!
Johnny-Law:
Before you think of bootlegging the run, here is the scoop.
There are hunts scheduled in the spring and fall during which the area is closed. $225 is the min fine now placed and it was just passed by the Tennessee Legislature, and trust me they will ticket you. Also park your car off the road and in a good safe place IF YOU park like a jerk you will be towed.
\
The Creek:
Mullens for the most part is manky, most of the good drops are ones that land on rock, as you can tell from the pictures. If they don’t land you on rocks, it’s manky for sure even without the landing coming into play. At lower water it’s Class 4; at high water the lower end of easy Class V. For the most part it’s “open boulder field” type of rapids for the major rapids, with a fairly tough rapid in the beginning. As you get closer to the valley for the most part it starts losing its bite.
If you are set to run Mullens and your day is running long and you are behind schedule and you need a ” plan B” , take a look at Suck Creek, it’s more or less on the way, and not in the Prentice Copper Wildlife Management Area and you will drive by it on your shuttle. Also when Mullens is running, Suck is running, since their watersheds are so close together.
Also on a note it was first paddled in a kayak by Tim Williams and Open boated by Jeff Richards of Chattanooga
Most paddlers that run Mullens only take one trip on it, and then mark it off their list. But everyone has their own cup of tea; you might like paddling un-crowded, protected clean watersheds!
