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    Thumbs up VIDEO: A little Loop in the Linville Gorge during the highest River cfs of the year




    In November 2022 we met up for a backpack in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. We had planned this trip for a long time and were raring to get out into the woods. Unfortunately for our plans the final hurricane of the season, Nicole, came unfashionably late to the North Carolina Mountains.

    All 4 of us made the decision to head out anyways and make the best of the situation at hand. With Nicole rapidly swelling the Linville River to its greatest heights of 2022 we huddled underneath a hodgepodge of tarps and umbrellas to wait out the storm.

    We woke to a beautiful morning with the sun ready to escort us down into the Gorge. Along the day’s hike we enjoyed gorgeous views of the area. The raging Linville river had the waterfalls popping and we were surprised to see a couple kayakers braving the highest flows of the year.

    The campsite we found along the Linville Gorge Trail was steep but we all managed to get set up and rested up. As if the rain hadn't been enough our final morning saw us awaken to gently falling snow. We finished up our trip by climbing out of the Gorge and jump-starting my buddies truck which had died.


    Thanks for watching!
    Layne

  2. #2
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    Very cool. Looked a bit sketchy on some of the crossings. Nice views out there.

  3. #3

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    Nice, always an adventure in the ditch. There have been several kayaker deaths when they go out after a storm, but I guess that is what they do.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rodfather View Post
    Very cool. Looked a bit sketchy on some of the crossings. Nice views out there.
    Thanks Rod. Fortunately for us we only had to look at the crossings and not attempt them, never would’ve made it with the river that high

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dvankirk View Post
    Nice, always an adventure in the ditch. There have been several kayaker deaths when they go out after a storm, but I guess that is what they do.
    Everyone has their thing I guess, any of us could get in an accident on the road tomorrow. But yeah, for me they were looking crazy down in the water!

  6. #6
    Senior Member Twistytee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Layne View Post
    Thanks Rod. Fortunately for us we only had to look at the crossings and not attempt them, never would’ve made it with the river that high
    Thanks for the video. That is a stretch of the LGT we don’t see as much. I miss hiking in the gorge back when the Spence ridge bridge was still there. Made short loops easier and more predictable. I’ve crossed that river on a few occasions when I should have turned around and gone back the way I came. Currents like after that storm are no joke.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Twistytee View Post
    Thanks for the video. That is a stretch of the LGT we don’t see as much. I miss hiking in the gorge back when the Spence ridge bridge was still there. Made short loops easier and more predictable. I’ve crossed that river on a few occasions when I should have turned around and gone back the way I came. Currents like after that storm are no joke.
    How long did the bridge exist for? I thought it was a pretty short period after construction before it got washed away. I’ve gone down to the river before with plans to cross and bailed, it isn’t something to play around with.

  8. #8
    Senior Member mistone's Avatar
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    bridge got washed out when we had a lot of rain they should have built it higher but who new it would come a flood and wash it away we did try to discuss about the bridge being re built but it didn't happen
    Its a good day to be out in the woods no matter the weather.Mist One..

  9. #9
    Senior Member Twistytee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Layne View Post
    How long did the bridge exist for? I thought it was a pretty short period after construction before it got washed away. I’ve gone down to the river before with plans to cross and bailed, it isn’t something to play around with.
    I think you are right in that it was only there for a brief period after construction. I believe it was washed out in May 2013. My memory fades but I thought it was in service longer than it was.
    Last edited by Twistytee; 05-22-2023 at 08:35.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mistone View Post
    bridge got washed out when we had a lot of rain they should have built it higher but who new it would come a flood and wash it away we did try to discuss about the bridge being re built but it didn't happen
    Quote Originally Posted by Twistytee View Post
    I think you are right in that it was only there for a brief period after construction. I believe it was washed out in May 2013. My memory fades but I thought it was in service longer than it was.
    Thanks for this info guys, the bridge was there and gone before I ever took my first visit to Linville but I love learning about the history.

    I've heard all kinds of stories about that bridge - that it cost 60-80k and only lasted one season, that it was built in an area that was clearly below flood stage, that it may be rebuilt or it may not.

    All I know is that if I want to cross the River nowadays I've got to get my feet wet!

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