If, and only if, the flow of the Oconaluftee River is less than 300 cubic feet per second, will we attempt to hike The Gorges of Raven Fork, the most rugged and treacherous stretch of stream anywhere in the Smokies. This hike will entail wading of deep fast-running sluices, negotiating water-slickened rock surfaces, and scrambling over large boulders. After a car shuttle from Straight Fork Road at the Hyatt Ridge Trail, the hike will begin in the Cherokee Reservation just outside the Park boundary and follow Raven Fork to the bridge at Backcountry Campsite 47 where we will then follow the Hyatt Ridge Trail out to Straight Fork Road. This hike is rated very difficult. Contact trip leaders for meeting place and time. Preregistration with leaders is required.

Leaders:
Ken Wise, kwise@utk.edu, 865-310-7764
James Locke, jtlocke@tds.net, 865-742-2158