Virginia whitewater - Powell River - South Fork, Cumberland Plateau Mountains, Wise County Wise county, South Fork Gorge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS V+     4 miles   I've been recording climate data in this area for 2 decades.The South Fork of the Powell River Gorge is one of the deepest chasms in all of Virginia, being 2000 vertical feet deep. It drains the highcountry southwest of the Big Cherry Basin of the High Knob massif...the greatest landform of far southwestern Virginia that sprawls across southern Wise County, northern Scott County, and into the extreme northeastern end of Lee County. This is a high precipitation area; although, 2007 has been the driest on record with 40-46'' across the upper elevations (     if you will check that is still above the annual average of many places in Virginia ). Says Wayne Browning The natural beauty of Wise County and the cool fresh water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. The South Fork Gorge stretch of Powell River - South Fork is 4 miles long and is a class V+ section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Virginia is often easier than elsewhere, so don't forget that a lot of the rivers here are suitable for beginners. No need to look hard for hotels, and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. And of course, there are campgrounds nearby. Great exercise and just being out on the river for a while are great attractions for lots of people. The put-in is not too far from Kingsport-Bristol, please print out a copy of   the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. This section is long enough to enjoy a good non stop paddle, it's good length for a morning trip. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, there are lots of good places for that around here. This is not the only paddling stretch in this river system, there are others too. When you're paddling down a Cumberland Plateau Mountains river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. Briefly about the general area: Long Hollow is a fine place to pop by close by, and Big Spring is a perfect local attraction. So much amusing stuff to do here in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains, too perfect to be true. Summertime at Powell River - South Fork arrives with high temperatures in the 80's while night lows are regularly in the 60's. The winter brings highs down to the 40's while the cold winter nights at Powell River - South Fork are in the 20's. The annual rain here at Powell River - South Fork is about average; the wettest month of the year is usually March, that's the one that rains the most, and the driest month is October. Powell River - South Fork, South Fork Gorge road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: V+ Length: 4 miles Average Gradient: 330 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.83409 Longitude: -82.70411 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.84429 Longitude: -82.70961 Paddler input for Powell River - South Fork, Virginia: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Powell River - South Fork, Cumberland Plateau Mountains, Virginia Local climate location: WISE 29 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Comfort Inn Big Stone Gap, Big Stone Gap 3 miles away The Comfort Inn offers free wireless Internet access in all rooms and public areas and a free deluxe continental breakfast with gravy and biscuits and hot fresh Belgium waffles. The property is five m... Holiday Inn NORTON, Norton 7 miles away New Hotel is Located in the Heart of Norton's Business DistrictTravelers looking for lodging in Norton, VA can enjoy a comfortable stay at the Holiday Inn hotel in Norton VA, located just off Highway ... Inn at Norton, Norton 8 miles away Located in the Appalachian Mountains, The Inn at Norton, is surrounded by scenic, recreational, cultural, and historic attractions. Whether you are in town for business or pleasure, there are a multit...   Cumberland Plateau Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. Cumberland Plateau Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. All Virginia Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Virginia. Books about whitewater paddling on Powell River - South Fork, Virginia List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Powell River - South Fork, Virginia. Find a whitewater outfitter in Virginia Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, the metro area neareast to Powell River - South Fork. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Powell River - South Fork.   Whitewater Near Powell River - South Fork: Cove Creek, Scott County , 2 miles away, Class IV-V+ - 2 miles long (Cove Creek Gorge to Stinking Creek confluence) Powell River, Wise County , 4 miles away, Class II-IV - 3 miles long (Appalachia to Big Stone Gap) Stock Creek, Scott County , 4 miles away, Class III-IV+(V) - 1.5 miles long (Upper Gorge) Big Stony - Devil's Fork, Scott County , 5 miles away, Class III+(IV) - 1.5 miles long (Straight Fork Confluence to Big Stony Takeout) Big Stony Creek, Scott County , 7 miles away, Class III - 4 miles long (Chimney Rock Fork to Route 653 Bridge) Big Stony - Mountain Fork, Scott County , 8 miles away, Class V+ - 4 miles long (Mountain Fork to Chimney Rock Fork) Stock Creek, Scott County , 9 miles away, Class II-III - 1.8 miles long (Natural Tunnel State Park) Powell River, Wise/ Lee County , 10 miles away, Class I-II - 12 miles long (Big Stone Gap to Dryden) Little Stony Creek, Scott County , 16 miles away, Class V+ - 3 miles long (Little Stony Falls to Hanging Rock) Guest River, Wise/ Scott County , 17 miles away, Class IV-V - 8 miles long (Rt. 72 to Clinch River)   Ski Areas Near Powell River - South Fork: Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 51 miles away, 700 vertical feet Ski Beech, North Carolina , 68 miles away, 830 vertical feet Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 71 miles away, 1200 vertical feet Hawksnest, North Carolina , 72 miles away, 619 vertical feet Cataloochee, North Carolina , 75 miles away, 740 vertical feet Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 81 miles away, 365 vertical feet Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 86 miles away, 600 vertical feet Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 109 miles away, 225 vertical feet Sky Valley, Georgia , 112 miles away, 210 vertical feet Winterplace, West Virginia , 117 miles away, 603 vertical feet   Hotels Near Powell River - South Fork: Comfort Inn Big Stone Gap, Big Stone Gap , 3 miles away Holiday Inn NORTON, Norton , 7 miles away Inn at Norton, Norton , 8 miles away Norton Days Inn, Norton , 9 miles away Norton Super 8 Motel, Norton , 9 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Powell River - South Fork: Jessie Lea Recreational Vehicle Park-Campground, Big Stone Gap, 6 miles away Bark Campground, Scott County, 12 miles away Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield, 12 miles away   National Parks Near Powell River - South Fork: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 69 miles away   Lakes Near Powell River - South Fork