Big Laurel

River:Big Laurel
Skill:Intermediate+
Trip Date:07/27/2013
Written by: , Posted: August 7, 2013

   The trip was advertised as "Paddler's Choice' and the votes were for Big Laurel Creek. It's normally a treat to catch Big Laurel up in the summer, however it has been above minimum from late June until the present. The level was about 5 inches on the painted gauge, a great level.  It was still a treat.  .A picture is worth a thousand words so Les Case's video must be worth a couple million. http://youtu.be/Di8c4-xdK4Y 

   What's going on in the video – after initially checking the gauge

0:05 – 0:30 Pinball the 1st rapid

0:30 – 0:48 Les following me through Stairsteps

0:49 – 0:58 small un-named rapid

0:58 – 1:34  Upper & Lower drops of Suddy Hole

1:34 – 2:18 Les following Jim Cyrek through Prelude (AKA False Narrows, Upper Narrows) – note the smooth roll. 

2:18 – 3:01 Narrows 

3:01 – 3:47 Cliffside

box turtle

3:52 – 4:10 Humble Pie – another nice roll  … and we enter the French Broad

4:10 to 4:18 left side of island at Kayak Ledge

4:19 – 5:12 Frank Bell's rapid (with Mary & Jim playing bumper boats). 

5:13 to end Surprise Ledge