Smith River, Sports Complex to Mitchell Bridge

Timed the water level perfect. Had a fun and eventful day with great friends Warren and Kelly.

This section of the Smith River at the Sports Complex Access gets the water from the Martinsville dam 3 1/2 hours from the release time.  The dam releases at 1pm today and by 4:30pm it had peaked at the Sports Complex access.  The first part of this run is pretty flat and boring but from Eggleston Falls on it is pretty fun and has nice scenery.   This section has many class 1 and 1+ rapids (possibly a 2) and one 2+ or 3  which is Eggleston Falls.  We put in at 4:30pm as the Sports Complex passed Marrowbone Access at 5:30pm and got out around 7:15pm.  This information is helpful because I have not found it written anywhere and it is much more enjoyable to paddle in the river when it has water!!

Dennis and I discovered that Eggleston Falls is pretty easy to run if you go slightly left of the the center exposed rock then shift right toward the BIG exposed rock down stream.  Our friends Warren and Kelly enjoyed the sluice on the left to bypass the falls.  It is a fun ride as well.

The only low point was passing a stinky deer carcass as fast as I could and hearing gagging noises behind me, breathing out of my mouth while trying not to gag myself.  I discovered I can gather speed when I paddle if I need to. Phew!

Also I discovered people are generally kind when a stranger stopped after being flagged down by Kelly and gave the guys a lift to the put in after we left the keys of the vehicle parked at the take out in the vehicle parked at the put in. Thanks kind stranger!  Reminder to self:  Always ask about the keys before entering the river!

Also note to self: Calling the cab company in Martinsville is useless unless you can give them step by directions on how to get to you.  I gave them the address but they do not have a GPS I guess and had no idea how to find us.  Better not need a ride in Martinsville.

One more fun paddle before school starts!

July 25,2012. Smith river- South Martinsville to Sports Complex to Marrowbone.

Trying to find water to paddle in late July is hard.  One of the outfitters of the Smith River suggested putting in after the Martinsville dam release 1-7 today at South Martinsville canoe access to Marrowbone.  It is 6.75 miles.  We put in at 2:40  the water started reaching the South Martinsville access at 2 but we waited until 2:40 for the river to fill. We arrived at 4:00 at the Sports Complex.  We must have paddled to fast before we out run the water. Waited until 4:30 for the water.   You can tell the dam water is here if the 2nd step on the ramp is under water.  We put in at 4:30 dam water was here by then.  Take 3 1/2 hours from dam for release water to arrive here. Was told it take 4 hours for water to reach Marrowbone.

Had the unfortunate experience to paddle next to a floating deer carcass. PHEW!!!!!  Hope that never happens again.

Eggleston Falls

Eggleston Falls is nice but the only interesting aspect of the entire trip.  I made it over with no flipping wore my helmet and everything. The trip was mostly flat water with a few wiffles except for the falls.  Not worth it.  I will not do this run again.  TOO BORING and TOO MUCH paddling.

We arrived at marrowbone at 5:45 which is 1hr and 15 mins   2.25 miles from Sports Complex.  Might to Sport Complex to Mitchell Rd ( Eggleston Fall is right before the Marrowbone Access)  but I will not put in at South Martinsville again.