Cauldron (aka, Second Boulder Garden)
Tuckasegee, West Fork - Thorpe Dam to Thorpe Powerhouse on Tuckasegee Reservoir (NC)
Gauge Conditions
Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.
Photo
Description
A shallow, slight, low-angle slide and perhaps 30 yards of class II+ water separates the first boulder garden from the second boulder garden. The river splits into two channels 10 yards or so downstream of the surfable reciruclation at the based of the slight, low-angle slide. Take the right channel and prepare to either boof left off a 5ish foot boulder jam (visible in the photo above). If you get pushed into the boulder jam before making the left boof, you'll probably be fine. The boulders pool the water enough to stay fairly stable while getting your boat aligned to make your way over the left boof. The drop is immediately followed by 20 yards of a fast, bedrock rapid (not visible in the photo). Be aware that there are two sieves in the boulder jam and that some water flows into an ugly (potentially vergy ugly) slot right of the boulder jam.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (19)
Hazard
N/A
Waterfall
VI
Waterfall
VI
Rapid
IV
Rapid
IV
Waterfall
IV+
Rapid
III+
Rapid
III
Rapid
IV
Rapid
III+
Rapid
IV
Rapid
III+
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
American Whitewater