Ok, there's a listing on AW's NC page about good ole Gagnes doing a run on NC's Upper Creek (near Linville/North Harper area), and I'm looking at the new National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of Linville/Mt Mitchell as well as at some online topo maps and it seems to me that this creek has some serious gradient and a escarpment topology similar to the Jocassee runs or Gragg Prong. Of course, much smaller watershed than the Jocassees.

So my question is, for those of you who hike as well as boat, has anyone checked out the upper section of this run, maybe just below the famed Upper Creek falls? Looking at some pictures and the aforementioned maps, it looks to me like there may just be enough channel width and drainage to actually see this thing run sometime. I suspect that the run by Gagnes maybe started just below the end of the steep gradient, but I don't know exactly because I think he's still swilling beers on the G. Canyon right now....so his info will have to come later. (Gagnes, if you're back from the west, post some info!)

I also noted that Leland put this blue squiggly line in his map of the Linville/Wilsons area runs but did not include a description in North Carolina Rivers and Creeks. What a tease that was...I kept flipping pages to see if I missed something... :-) (Leland, care to share any info?)

Things this creek has going for it: 1) reliable precipitation gauge (well, reliable as far as AWFS goes), 2) somewhat flatish headwaters to collect the rain and feed it off without flashing too quickly, 3) great proximity to other back-up runs if it's a no-go, 4) a possible short hike-in (or maybe that's not a plus... I dunno).

Does anyone want to share info from hiking trips into this area (the Mountains to Sea trail crosses Upper Creek in the big gradient area, and a hiking/equestrian trail runs through the lower reach) with me or am I going to have to tie up the Vasques and grab my day pack to find out exactly what's up in Raven's Cliff Gorge? And if I do have to tie up the boots, anyone from the M-town areas (Marion/Morganton) want to meet up for an exploratory creek hike some weekend day this month?

G