High Falls
Tuckasegee, West Fork - Thorpe Dam to Thorpe Powerhouse on Tuckasegee Reservoir (NC)
Gauge Conditions
Runnable: ? – ? CFS
Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description
Mandatory Portage! This waterfall has two tiers and is about 170 to 200 feet high. The river right side is blocked by high cliffs, but there is a use trail on river left which facilitates the portage.
Location
Other Rapids on This Run (19)
Hazard
N/A
Thorpe Dam
Waterfall
VI
First Falls
Rapid
IV
Put In Launch below High Falls
Rapid
N/A
Put In Parking Area (Trailhead)
Rapid
IV
Debris Field (aka, First Boulder Garden)
Hazard
IV
Cauldron (aka, Second Boulder Garden)
Rapid
III
Trailside Stretch
Rapid
III
Lead-in Ledges to Breakbone Falls
Waterfall
IV+
Breakbone Falls (aka, Flight Simulator)
Rapid
III
Residential Stretch
Rapid
III+
Kornegay's Cascade
Rapid
III
Cullowhee Forest Bridge
Rapid
IV
Mini Gorge (general description)
Rapid
IV
Mini Gorge's First Rapid: High Turnover (aka, The Crux)
Rapid
III+
Mini Gorge's Second Rapid: Center Boof
Rapid
IV
Mini Gorge's Third Rapid: Crevice Ledge (aka, Lumpy Ledge)
Rapid
III+
Mini Gorge's Fourth Rapid: Swirly Gneiss
Rapid
III
Two Mile Runout
Rapid
II
Thorpe Powerhouse - Take Out
View Full Run
Thorpe Dam to Thorpe Powerhouse on Tuckasegee Reservoir
Tuckasegee, West Fork
III-IV+
5.6 mi
Hazard — Exercise extreme caution. Portage recommended — scout before running.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
American Whitewater