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Snowbird Creek has its origin high in the Unicoi Mountains, and within Nantahala National Forest, which ensures excellent water quality. The Snowbird Mountains form the southern rim of the gorge. The upper portion of the creek is very remote and flows through three sections of falls named Upper, Middle, and Big, all of which are well upstream of the sections described. The river becomes less remote as Snowbird winds its way to its inundation at Santeetlah Lake. The creek is only runnable after heavy rainfall and has at best a two-day window.

MAPS: Santeetlah Creek, Robbinsville (USGS); Graham (County)

class: III–IV

length: 2.8 mi.

time: 1.5 hrs.

gauge: Visual

level: n/a

permits: No

gradient: 143

scenery: A

JUNCTION TO FIRST BRIDGE DOWNSTREAM

DESCRIPTION: This section of Snowbird Creek is extremely tight and technical, but there are no major drops. Extreme hazards exist if the water is very high (read Class V screamer) and/or you are any less than an expert boater. This creek has more moves than a downtown street hustler. Be aware of several boulder and log strainers. Creek Meister Jim Holcombe has carried in and run as high as 3 miles above Junction, where it is steeper. You may want to consider this ageless Bob Dylan lyric before following suit: “How far do you want to go? Not too far, but just enough so’s we can say we been there.”