BJett
Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2013
- Messages
- 556
The mighty Cumberland River begins its journey deep in the southern Appalachians...Harlan County, Kentucky to be exact. It eventually runs into the Ohio River.
Cumberland Falls is a ~65' waterfall located in McCreary and Whitley County, KY. Its famous for its Moonbow, and its also a very popular tourist spot.
A buddy of mine recently bought a cataraft and has been learning the ropes on some easier whitewater. We did an overnighter from below the falls to the mouth of the Laurel River, an 11 mile scenic cruise with a bit of spice. We had low water, mostly class 2-3 but at higher water its steps up its game a bit. I paddled my Alpacka packraft and let him haul the gear and beer.





Camp above Screaming Right rapid. It was more of a whisper at low water. Testing out my new Zpacks cuben fiber tent.

Good morning

Normally a legit class 3+ rapid. Not so much at 300 cubic feet per second.


Pinball rapid, the last drop before Lake Cumberland takes over. Low lake levels mean more rapids, and another 6' drop in water levels uncovers one more called Last Drop.

The crux of the run is the epic 4 miles of flatwater to get to the boat ramp where the Laurel River enters. Like, lake flat. Still a stunningly beautiful run.
My friend snapped an oar early in the trip, and managed to fix it using his paleolithic skills and rock tools. pretty typical actually.
https://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/cumberland-falls/
Cumberland Falls is a ~65' waterfall located in McCreary and Whitley County, KY. Its famous for its Moonbow, and its also a very popular tourist spot.
A buddy of mine recently bought a cataraft and has been learning the ropes on some easier whitewater. We did an overnighter from below the falls to the mouth of the Laurel River, an 11 mile scenic cruise with a bit of spice. We had low water, mostly class 2-3 but at higher water its steps up its game a bit. I paddled my Alpacka packraft and let him haul the gear and beer.





Camp above Screaming Right rapid. It was more of a whisper at low water. Testing out my new Zpacks cuben fiber tent.

Good morning

Normally a legit class 3+ rapid. Not so much at 300 cubic feet per second.


Pinball rapid, the last drop before Lake Cumberland takes over. Low lake levels mean more rapids, and another 6' drop in water levels uncovers one more called Last Drop.

The crux of the run is the epic 4 miles of flatwater to get to the boat ramp where the Laurel River enters. Like, lake flat. Still a stunningly beautiful run.
My friend snapped an oar early in the trip, and managed to fix it using his paleolithic skills and rock tools. pretty typical actually.
https://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/cumberland-falls/