January 12 - Lower Saluda

After licking our wounds from the trip down the Lynches, we climbed back into the boat, but stayed close to home and on familiar water. Since we didn't have all day, we took a short trip down the Saluda from Metts Landing (at the end of Hope Ferry Road) to just above Mill Race, the largest rapid on the Saluda.
Metts Landing is a great put-in with plenty of parking and great access to the river. It is the first landing below the Lake Murray dam. There is a skinny dirt road you have to use to get there, so it may feel like you are lost, but keep going.
This stretch of the river is one of my favorites. There are three small rapids that you will have to get through, but they are spread out, so there is plenty of room to regroup if anything does go wrong. You will float under interstate 20 and then 26. The two rapids after these bridges are the biggest challenge of the trip, but very, manageable even in a canoe.
The most critical part of this route is getting out at the right time. If you go too far, you will find yourself in Mill Race rapid. Just before you get to Mill Race, you can take-out on the left and haul your gear up to Candi Lane.
We did pull out the old beater boat for this trip and I would suggest you do the same.
Click here to see the route

Name: Saluda River - 1/12/2014
Activity type: Canoe
Description: Metts Landing to Mill Race
Total distance: 11.90 km (7.4 mi)
Total time: 2:01:48
Moving time: 1:45:47
Average speed: 5.86 km/h (3.6 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 6.75 km/h (4.2 mi/h)
Max speed: 9.95 km/h (6.2 mi/h)
Average pace: 10:14 min/km (16:28 min/mi)
Average moving pace: 8:53 min/km (14:18 min/mi)
Fastest pace: 6:02 min/km (9:42 min/mi)