STUPID FALLS, CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO, USA
Bennett Smith, Hunter Katich, and Jed Selby recently went to scout a 50- to 60- foot waterfall
known as “Stupid Falls” in Crested Butte, Colorado. Though this large waterfall has been run in the
past, it has seemed to remain under the radar, despite being located within twenty minutes of
some of the classic Colorado creek runs. After 30 minutes of scouting, Bennett, Hunter, and Jed
decided the drop looked good to go. They handed their camera to some bystanders to take
pictures, and fired it up. Luckily, the bystanders managed to work the camera and get some
good shots of the three of them. It will be interesting to see if this drop is run more frequently in the
future. When the Upper East Fork in Crested Butte, Colorado is around 2,000-2,500 cfs, be sure to
check it out!
Words and Photo: Bennett Smith
LATE SPRING HEAVENLY HIGHLAND WHITEWATER, SOUTH
EAST, USA
This past winter and early spring was starting to look like there was not going to be much of a creek
season in the US Southeast. Warmer and dryer temperatures was the theme of the region’s winter
months. Then spring sprung, bringing a few showers from late March into early April that brought
just enough water for certain runs to come in for short periods of time. At the end of April the
weather changed, and a more consistent pattern of heavy rains started in the highlands region of
northwest North Carolina and northeastern Tennessee. The highland area is centered in between
Roan Mountain, Beech Mountain and Grandfather Mountain. Out of this region flow some of
the best rivers and creeks any Class
IV-V boater would be thrilled to fire
up, including the Watauga Gorge, Elk
River Gorge, Doe River Gorge, Wilson
Creek, Laurel Fork of the Doe, and the
mighty Linville River Gorge. This year,
one of the highlights from the highland
creek season was Elk Gorge. The Elk
Gorge is beautiful, remote, and highly
memorable. With stacked sections
of continuous grade IV-V, including a
16-footer and a 44-foot waterfall as the
finale, the Elk when it is running is worth
a visit for any grade V paddler.Words and Photo: Wes Bradley