Put In

Wildcat Creek Put In is a whitewater access point located in Rabun County, Georgia, serving as an entry point for paddlers looking to run this technical headwater stream. The creek is a relatively small stream system with a significant gradient of 14.1 feet per mile, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced paddlers who are comfortable with moving water and technical maneuvers. With an average flow of 6.45 cubic feet per second and average velocity of 0.98 feet per second, water conditions can vary seasonally, and paddlers should check current conditions before launching.

This put-in accesses a 30-mile long creek system that drops 425 feet in elevation, creating dynamic whitewater conditions characteristic of North Georgia mountain streams. As a headwater stream near its source, Wildcat Creek has the steeper gradient and more technical features typical of upper reaches, rather than the flatter pools of lower creek sections. Paddlers should be prepared for narrow channels, potential strainers, and the challenges of creek-running in a relatively small water system.

Paddlers using this access point should have experience reading whitewater and assessing hazards typical of small creek runs. Water levels and flow rates can change significantly with rainfall and seasonal conditions, so checking recent reports and local knowledge is essential before attempting this section. The technical nature of the creek and its headwater location make it best suited for experienced kayakers and canoeists seeking challenging whitewater paddling.