Hiwassee River

Here is my 6-mile trip on the Hiwassee River in Reliance, Tennessee, with my dear friend David Dutton and the Huntsville Canoe Club (Hunstville, AL). We self-shuttled from the Powerhouse Boat Ramp to the Reliance Boat Ramp (both public). We had a fantastic time!!

[@tomahawk5118]

I’m blessed to live near the river and have spent a significant part of my life on that river.

[@SouthernPaddler]

That's so coo! It's a beautiful (and fun) river and so is the whole area!! 👍

[@flysubcompact]

The Hiwasse is a hoot. Also love the clear water. Thanks for filming your run.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Yes it is!! Clear, cold, beautiful and fun!! Preciate it!! 👍👊

[@autigerz84]

Sooo good!!! That was awesome. 👍

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks so much, Wes!! And thanks again for spotting me down the river!! 💪👊👍

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Man what a perfect blend of relaxation and adrenaline!! Nicely done man! Never heard of this river.....it's a beauty!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Tim! It is a beautiful river. It's just inside the Cherokee National Forest near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. 👍

[@MySUPRunnethOver]

That’s living on the edge there Dan. Those were some intense rapids. At 4:19 very impressed the kayak didn’t sink.

[@SouthernPaddler]

I was definitely pushing the envelope for my boat! I probably won't take it on this river next time!! :-D

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Awesome thumbnail Dan! Great picture. Looks like an awesome trip. Crow

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks so much, Crow!! It was awesome!! 👍👊

[@GuzzFieldTonKi]

Good to meet you at the put-in and chat at lunch stop Dan. The Riviera bounced you around some but did great! Nice video of one of my favorite rivers to paddle.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you!! It was great to meet you and get to chat a little bit. I'm not turning white water yet, but I do want a creek boat!! 😁 I love the Riviera but it's just not cut out for that river (or Hatchet Creek). I need something to keep the water out!! 🤣

[@mountainsmoore3657]

Wow! Everyone else in your group was skirted up an wearing helmets, yet you bust up in there and show 'em how to get it done! Cool video!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Lol- I might not have made the best boat choice. I survived, but it definitely helped to follow folks that knew the lines. That made all the difference! :-)

[@Digital_Gangster]

That looks so fun

[@SouthernPaddler]

It really is a fun river. This was my second time to do it and it was a blast!

[@SideTrailAdventures]

Dude!!! You are harder than woodpecker lips hanging with a bunch of WW kayaks! Those were some legit rapids....and stayed upright the whole time? That River King sticker probably helped with the good vibes😎👍

[@SouthernPaddler]

Ba ha ha!!! Well, Austin, I promise you I did exactly what they told me and went exactly where they said to go!!! I had fun, but I can assure you I will NOT be taking that boat on this river again!!! 🤣😅 And yes, I needed all the River King mojo I could muster!! 😁💪🛶

[@kellindalton6028]

I have only tried the Flint so far and this was WILD to watch!! I think i would have wore a helmet!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Yes, with everyone around me in a helmet it made me wonder...lol!!

[@prdala]

That was a fun day! Hopefully we meet up again.

[@SouthernPaddler]

It was a blast!! Yes, hope to see you on the water again soon!! Enjoyed your vids!!

[@DpuckFishingandOutdoors]

Man, that looked like a blast. It has been so long since I shot some whitewater. 💪

[@SouthernPaddler]

It really was. That's about as "white" as it gets for me! :-D

[@motoking2510]

Lol just literally did this river today I’m 13 😂😂

[@SouthernPaddler]

Awesome!! I really enjoyed it when I did it last month! It's a fun river!!

[@brandonb9830]

If youre getting into whitewater it wouldn't be a bad idea to also wear a helmet with that pfd.

[@SouthernPaddler]

I'm not really trying to get into whitewater (that's what I keep telling myself...lol), but I will likely get a helmet soon just in case. Better safe than sorry (or worse)!!

[@fbenton2]

That looked pretty intense

[@SouthernPaddler]

Parts of it were (for a rec paddler like me), but I had some good guides to help me through! 👍

[@jacobcastle2741]

How was it doing this river in a non whitewater boat? Thinking of bringing my crescent fishing kayak on this river!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Honestly, I wouldn't do it again in my Jackson Riviera, but mainly because it doesn't have scupper holes and so it doesn't drain out. The 11.4 ft length wasn't great on the drops, either. But if you stay river right you can avoid the bigger stuff (I think that's where the tubers go). If you have scupper holes and are careful on the two big drops you should be ok.

[@branditaylor4337]

Hey Dan! So great meeting and riding along with y’all the other day! I’ve always been curious about the Hiwasse could I do it in my boat?

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Brandi! It was great meeting and floating with you, too! Yes, was in a group where a guy did the Hiwassee in a boat like yours and I was in my boat from our trip (although I probably won't try it again...lol). There are a few little drops and and decent rapids, so I'd definitely try to go with someone that knows the river.

[@jaredgolly4191]

Where exactly did yall get in it? I'm fixin to go next weekend. I'd like to do that exact adventure.

[@SouthernPaddler]

We put in at the Powerhouse Boat Ramp and took out at the Reliance Boat Ramp. Both are public access and are on Google Maps. Webb Brothers and Hiwassee Outfitters both run that route I think if you need a shuttle. Hope you have a great trip!!

[@bryandunn4886]

Man great video. You really stepping up. Its like the little kayak that could. Been wanting to go, can't wait now. Thanks for all your videos you put out there to inform people on places they have never been.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Ha ha!! I keep telling people (and myself) that I'm not turning into a white water kayaker!! 🤣 Nah, it's a blast. I enjoy flat and fluffy water!! Thanks for the kind words, Bryan!! 👊

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man that was a good one. Couple of those rapid was big. But you went over top of it like it was nothing. That was a huge Group you was with. How many miles did y'all kayak?

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Mack! A couple of those drops were legit! We did 6 miles. It was a blast!!

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@SouthernPaddler man 6 miles on the kayak amusement park. "LOL " that's awesome man. Probably one of the best Riders you have done in awhile.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Lol!! Definitely!! 👍

[@samcarlson6001]

Nice video! I'm looking at doing this next week. Do you happen to remember what the water level was last year? The gauge is currently showing 17.88 ft. Your water level looks perfect.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Hi Sam- thank you very much! No, I don't remember and this was only my second time to do the Hiwassee, but I believe it's dam release so it should be fairly consistent. Normally it's very low at night and they run the generators starting mid-morning or so. That could change with varying rainfall amounts..

[@samcarlson6001]

@@SouthernPaddler Thank you!

[@sethwoods8063]

what are you touching in the water at 2:14?

[@SouthernPaddler]

Lol- it look like a manatee when I went back and watched it!! It was just a rock that I was trying to use to hold myself still in a little bit of current. 😁

[@sethwoods8063]

@@SouthernPaddler definitely a manatee lol.nice video!!

[@SouthernPaddler]

@@sethwoods8063 Lol!! 🤣 Thanks, bro!! 👍

[@sethwoods8063]

@@SouthernPaddler are you on lower or upper hiawassee?

[@sethwoods8063]

in the cid