South Sauty Creek

South Sauty ranks among the favorites of many Alabama class III/IV boaters. Picture numerous class III and seven class IV rapids nicely spaced out over 6 miles with few signs of civilization, all within an hour's drive of Huntsville or Chattanooga. Top it off with hot showers and a nice campground at the take-out, and you may have the ideal run.

The action begins right at the put-in with a 6' drop known locally as Matheny's that can be run a variety of ways. The next 1/2 mile or so is warm-up class III/III+ with one tricky, narrow spot. The first group of major rapids includes Welcome to Sauty, Egg Scrambler (Over Easy), Jonah's Whale, and Cliff Left. This is followed by a short, mellow stretch. The action then resumes at Drunken Horseman, which precedes Upper and Lower Minefields, The Slot, and Bonecrusher. Finally, nicely spaced III+ takes you to Buck's Pocket.

South Sauty requires advanced whitewater skills. Caution must be exercised on first runs until the location of several undercuts is known by each paddler. South Sauty, like most Alabama whitewater, generally only runs in the winter and spring.