Great Coharie Creek in North Carolina

Trip Overview

The Great Coharie gets it start in Northern Sampson County close to the town of Newton Grove, NC and is one of the tributaries of the Black River.

Seven of us hardy paddlers put in on Wright�s Bridge (Sampson County 1206) and the take out was at Lisbon Bridge, Hwy 903, approximately 1.5 miles short of where the Black River begins.

This trip according to Paul Ferguson�s Paddling Eastern North Carolina is 8.8 miles. The put in at Wrights Bridge is grown up and we had to go down a small incline and through some weeds. A small path had been beaten down when Wayne and Lynda Charles did this same trip the previous Friday. Along with Wayne and Lynda on this trip today July 2, were Mike & Liz Britt, Omer Register, Charles West and this writer. The water level was six inches higher on Friday according to Wayne. The gauging station is 16 miles downstream on the Black River and read approximately 6 ft at 6.25 cfs.

The Little Coharie runs into the Great Coharie about 0.3 miles after Wrights Bridge and it had a good little current to it. Before we reached Hwy 701 (1.9 miles from put in) we encountered some down trees but no problems going over or through. The weather was hot today and the shaded river from the tree canopy dropped the temperature about 10 degrees.

There are huge cypress trees and hardwoods along the banks and an occasional fishing shack but no development. We had a nice shaded spot for lunch, although the bank was a little muddy near the water. The rest of the trip was uneventful with one or two more trees we had to portage but no major problems. Several paddlers spotted deer at different locations.

Accommodations:

None in general area. Motels and restaurants in Clinton, NC

Fees:

No

Directions:

US Hwy 701 North of Garland, NC approximately 6 miles to left turn on Wright's Bridge. Take out is at NC Hwy 903 at Lisbon Bridge.

Resources:

Paddling Eastern North Carolina with Paul Ferguson Page 83, section 5 of Great Coharei Creek.