Cooper Creek, in the Tennessee River Watershed, is a good introduction to “creeking.” Suitable for intermediate or advanced paddlers, it is only runnable during rainy season or after a heavy rain. Photo by Mountainfreak.net.

CANOEING COOPER CREEK from Forest Service Road 33A to Mulkey Campground CLASS: I-III (IV in high water);LENGTH: 5.2 miles; TIME: 4 hours; GAUGE: None; LEVEL: N/A; GRADIENT: 60 feet per mile; SCENERY: A.

Cooper Creek, in the Tennessee River Watershed, is a delightful introduction to “creeking” and is suitable for intermediate or advanced paddlers. The creek runs through pristine wilderness and is one of the most primitive small streams in the state. It’s small and tight, and consequently, hosts a fair number of deadfalls. Scouting and portaging are possible at most major rapids. The creek is a major tributary of the Toccoa River. Cooper will only be runnable during rainy season or after a major rain. If the small island at the put-in is under water, it is runnable. If it looks too honkin’ high, it probably is.

DESCRIPTION: Cooper Creek starts with Class I and II rapids and almost never has a flat section without something of interest. A mile or so from the put-in, a huge rock in the center of the stream and an obvious horizon line presage the first interesting rapid, Corner Picket (Class III-). Scout the 5-foot drop from the large granite rock in the center of the stream. It can be run on either side, but the right side has a good surfing hole. Cooper Falls (Class III) follows almost immediately. This drop is a 16-foot slide, which can’t be scouted, but shouldn’t be any trouble.

After the slide the river gains in gradient and Class II rapids increase in frequency. After another mile or so the creek takes a sharp right turn. In about an eighth of a mile, the last big drop occurs. This rapid is known as “Grunch” (an 8-foot waterfall) and should be scouted from the right bank. Run it on the left side, but be careful, as Grunch has smashed the deck plate of more than one canoe. Below Grunch, Cooper picks up even more in gradient and is almost continuous Class II for several miles. What looks like a low head dam is approached under the FS 236 Bridge; don’t worry, it’s a simple Class II drop. Soon after the last drop and a few more Class I ripples, the takeout comes into view, and you should be able to see your car.

SHUTTLE: From Dahlonega, take GA 60 north. Stay on GA 60 to Suches; after passing into Suches, turn right onto GA 180 east. Continue on this road until you reach Lake Winfred Scott Recreation Area. Immediately past the recreation area, turn left onto Cooper Creek Road, FS 33. Turn left when FS 33A branches off to the right. The unpaved road will become paved again and travel past some houses and farms, but don’t get worried. Turn right onto FS 236 and continue on this road until you come to a stop sign at the FS 4 junction. Turn left on FS 4 and proceed to the Mulkey Creek Campground on the left, the take-out for this run. To reach the put-in, return to FS 33A. The put-in is at the bridge over the creek.

GAUGE: There is no gauge. Cooper will only be runnable during rainy season or after a major rain. If the island at the put-in is under water, it is runnable. If it looks too high, it probably is.

Links:

• Read more about the Tennessee River Watershed.