The Fluffy Bunny of Destruction

If you live in the Tri-Cities, TN area, the Nolichucky Gorge is your bread and butter backyard run. However, the run has one major drawback… the shuttle. The shuttle is a 15.3 mile drive from the take-out at Rushing Water Outfitters to the put-in at Poplar, NC. The drive takes 20 to 30 minutes depending upon the value you place on your car, boating gear, and life!

With the cost of gas, driving two cars to set shuttle is not the best option. Personally, I think paying someone $20 to drive a car for 45 minutes to 1 hour is ridiculous. Of course, I hate to park and play. That got me thinking… There had to be another way! Of course, I could RUN the shuttle! Hey, I need to get in shape for the Grand Canyon in July anyway!

First things first, paddle past the Nolichucky Gorge Campground to Rushing Water Outfitters and say hi to Shane. He will let you put your boat and gear outside his store. I usually stow a bike lock in the back of my boat. I don’t ask him to watch it, nor would I hold him responsible if someone ran off with it. However, I know he’s in the store or sitting outside so it’s less likely someone would steal it. I also put a Coolmax shirt, socks, running shoes, and a 1.5 liter Camelbak backpack in the back of my boat for the run back. Regardless of how you are going to run back, you need these items. I once forgot socks and my feet were a bloody mess afterwards, and we’re not talking bloody in the British sense either!

Running the Railroad Tracks

When running the Noli Gorge, you have three options. You can either run the railroad tracks, the road, or the Appalachian Trail. My LEAST favorite option is the railroad tracks. The primary drawback to running the railroad tracks is the complete inability to set a good stride. The rocks that are placed on the tracks gave me rock bruises on the bottom of my feet that hurt for a week after the run. Furthermore, this is not a typical southeast railroad track. Trains frequent the tracks. The only bright side is that this is the shortest option at 8.8 miles. After doing this run once, I swore I would never do it again.

Running the Road

At 15.3 miles, this is the longest option. However, I would rather run 15 miles on the road than 9 miles on the railroad tracks. For this run, simply run the same way you would to set shuttle. The downside is that you are subject to the full onslaught of the sun for most of the run. You also have to battle traffic until you reach Rock Creek Recreation Area. Be prepared. From the time you reach Rock Creek until the top of Indian Grave Gap, you will be going straight up!

Running the Appalachian Trail

The AT is the best option for running the Noli Gorge shuttle. You will run 12.4 miles total (8.4 miles on the AT and 4 miles downhill on NC 197). The total run typically takes me 1 hour and 50 minutes +/-. The trail is maintained extremely well throughout the length of the run. There is one sketch rock scramble that is impossible to run, but easy to walk down (see picture below). There are a few trails that cross the AT. Just remember, the AT is marked with white blazes (see picture below). Two white blazes mean to stay alert. Another trail is about to cross the AT or the trail is going to make a sharp bend (see picture below).

For this run, take off from Rushing Water Outfitters and cross the bridge going over the Noli, cross the road heading toward Chestoa, and straight ahead will be the AT going into the woods. Despite the ascent, the trail is graded very well through this section. I typically have to take a small walk break about 35 minutes into the run, but am able to run the entire section afterwards. You will run through beautiful forest, over small streams, through rhododendron patches, and take in beautiful views. At the time of this blog entry, the first rhododendrons were starting to bloom. At the first of June, this section of the AT will be covered with blooming rhododendrons.

8.4 miles later, you will come to Indian Grave Gap and NC 197. Make a right hand turn downhill and make the 4 mile downhill run back to your car. The traffic is light through this section. I rarely see more than 10 cars on my run back.

Give it a try one day when you are wanting to solo the Noli or want to car pool to save some gas. It makes a great workout and a wonderful day in the great outdoors. Give me a message if you would like to join me!

-brian