Town Creek

Town Creek is the Alabama destination of choice for class III paddlers who want a taste of creek boating. The run begins at High Falls Park. After walking down a short trail into the gorge, you put in at the base of a river-wide 50' waterfall. The action begins immediately but never goes above class III except for one portage around the Blockage, or Sleeping Giant Falls. Big pools surrounded by bluffs and woodland separate at least eighteen class III rapids. Intermediate paddlers can practice their eddy turns, ferries and water-reading skills on generally open, non-threatening, but technical rapids. A cave high on a river left cliff about 2/3 of the way through the run signals the approach to the Blockage. Take out on river right to portage. The end of the run will deliver you to a secluded backwater of Lake Guntersville. Paddle across a short section of the lake, then take out at an old shack and hike with your boat up the hill to a saddle along Hwy 227. The carryout is approximately 600 yards and all uphill on a well-worn path.