The Chilhowee Recreation Area located in the Cherokee National Forest near Benton, TN was host to the Foothills Paddling Club’s 2023 EastTennessee Pilgrimage. It was an ideal location since it is so close to two notable rivers in that area- the Hiwassee and the Ocoee. The winding drive up the Chilhowee mountain to the campgrounde offered several stunning panoramic views. FPC had about 15 members who camped at the campground’s group camping site and several members who stayed off site.

Friday Middle Ocoee group, 2023 East Tennessee Pilgrimage

On Friday a small group of FPC members met up to do a lap on the middle Ocoee. There is no warm up when you put in here at the dam- it is a zero to 60 because Grumpy’s is a class III+ rapid and the roaring wall of water created by the dam adds to the drama and amps up the adrenaline. Everyone had a successful trip and it was fun to hear their stories later that evening around the campfire.

On Saturday we had about half the FPC members take a trip down the beautiful, wide, and shoaly Hiwassee with its class I and II rapids. This 5.5 paddle is located within the stretch of the river that has a State Scenic River designation meaning that development is severely restricted so all you see when you’re on the river are trees, mountain tops, and water. (And if you are lucky like we were that day, a bald eagle!) Patrick Walsh was the trip leader and was in charge of about a dozen FPC paddlers. He did a fantastic job and was patient and helpful when there was some spillage. The highlight of the trip was when Nicole Jones rolled (nearly successfully) Janna Bankston’s “Freya” the sit-on-top kayak. She was successful in righting the boat but she came loose in the process- the thigh straps only hold the paddler in place to an extent. The group was torn as to whether it counted as a successful roll or not…

The other FPC paddlers spent the day on the middle Ocoee. Several of them put their combat rolls to the test, and poor Russel Dutta found out that it is hard to successfully combat roll with a raft over top of you. They soaked up the sun and enjoyed a lunch break at Goforth Creek, enjoying the waterfall at their backs.

Saturday Evening Cookout, 2023 East Tennessee Pilgrimage The club hosted a cookout on Saturday night and the group reconvened in time for that. We even had some members that were paddling elsewhere that weekend join up. Our FPC president Adam Mobley manned the newly purchased griddle with ease and turned out some burgers and hotdogs for the hungry group. (Thanks Patrick Walsh for doing the shopping.) Joe Kager treated the group to a campfire dutch oven cherry cobbler.

On Sunday most of the group headed to the Ocoee again. Many of those that were kayaking it were able to put in two laps and many of them spent time at the last rapid on the river, Hell Hole, playing in its giant surfing wave. The remainder of the group (about ten people) was lucky enough to be connected with one of Scott Manley’s friends, a private boater who runs three rafts down the Ocoee as a family trip every Labor Day. Dennis, Scott’s friend, said that he has been running the Ocoee since the 1980’s and has easily made 300 trips down it, possibly closer to 400 trips. He knew every ripple and rock in every single rapid on that river and knew the effect it would all have on the raft. He expertly guided us down and frequently shared fun and interesting facts about the river. His family treated us all to a picnic lunch between laps which was both delicious and appreciated.

By Sunday afternoon most everyone was exhausted but happy and said their goodbyes and then headed back home, having spent a most enjoyable Labor Day weekend on the river with great company.

You can check out and purchase photos from the Ocoee trips here: http://ocoeephotos.com/Home They will be in the folder labeled “Private Boaters.”