Information on Mystery Cr. (aka Sandy Springs Hollow)
Rating: IV+ (V) *
TDCR: ????
Location: Newton Co.; To reach the put-in go south from
Deer on Hwy 16 then turn right just past Deer Church on
outskirts of town. After about 2 miles, turn right again on
smaller dirt road descending a hill. Go straight to hit
creek directly, or turn left and follow road that parallels
creek until it ends. For directions to take-out, see EFLB
description.
Area Map
Topo Quad(s): Deer, Swain, Murray
Gradient: 190 fpm (1/2 mi @ 320 fpm)
Length: 9.8 mi. (this includes 8 miles on normal EFLB run)
Season: FLOOD
Gauge: Must have mucho big rains for this one. The EFLB takeout
should be roaring.
Hazards: difficult rapids, strainers, waterfalls
Description: The designation "Mystery Creek" for this extreme upper
section of the EFLB began as an inside joke because when this
run was first being considered, the name of the creek was not
divulged even to close friends until the day of the run.
It is often called "Sandy Springs Hollow" these days,
since that's the name of the small hollow at the put-in.
It is believed that the first run putting in at
elevation 1840 ft occurred on November 14, 1993. The
first descent party included David Bibbs, Don Calaway,
Cowper Chadbourn, Charles Chevaillier, Bill Keathley,
Jim McDaniel, Ted Smethers, and Gil Wooten, all in kayaks.
An early put in is strongly advised. The first descent
ended well after dark, leading to interesting conversations
with locals and forcing some late night hiking along the roads
that parallel the lower portion of the EFLB run. Due to
the gradient and tiny watershed, water levels can fall before
you complete the upper section. The creek starts out with
some fast but easy slides. A class III ledge adds some
excitement before the creek is choked by boulders into
a much more serious rapid. At lower water, pins are
likely here and for the next half mile or so. At higher
water, a downed tree will be life threatening in the
extremely high gradient. The highlight of the run
is "Rooster's Two Step", named for the 3 ft step above
the 12 ft waterfall, first run by David Bibbs, AKA "The Rooster".
The approach is a blind curve to the left with one potential
eddy on the right side of the curve. If you boat around the
corner, hang on tight! After the "Rooster" the gradient is
serious and the rocks are big and often ugly. Several
bad sieves appear at low levels, making for mandatory
portages. Higher water opens things up, but it can be
hard to slow down and a flip will result in a serious
beating. When the main EFLB stem comes in from the right,
the gradient backs off, but with the added flow, there
are several spots with sycamores that present serious
hazards. Scout anything you can't see until you reach
the normal EFLB put in. The EFLB will be big and brawny
at these levels - possibly the wildest part of your day!
Sandy Springs is as difficult a steep creek as the Ozarks
has to offer and it requires a much greater skill level
than the EFLB run itself does. It rates right up there
with the hardest Ozark hair runs. If there's any doubt
put in on the EFLB. Thanks go to Cowper Chadbourn for
information on the creek!
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