 This week, we loaded up our kayaks and hit the Russell Fork River. We began our float at the Ratliff Hole River Access Area in the Brakes Interstate Park and floated to Carson Island in Elkhorn City. The Russell Fork River is a designated Kentucky blue water trail and this particular float has been called the most scenic float in Kentucky. Beginning at Ratliff Hole, you will immediately be consumed by the landscape. Towering bluffs and large boulders dot the river banks as you begin down the river. Then you will come around a bend and the pool point train bridge will come into view. The river banks turn into sheer cliffs and the bridge towers well over 100 feet above the paddler. After paddling through pool point, the river goes from quiet and tranquil to loud and angry. The first rapid of the trip lies below pool point and offers the paddler a little dose of adrenaline as they make their way down the Russell Fork. Floating on down the river, the roar of the meat grinder rapid can be heard well before it is seen. The river drops approximately 10 feet in a 50 yard stretch through the Class 3 meat grinder rapid and should be portaged if your paddling skills are not top notch. Be warned the portage is not easy as it requires packing your boat over a large boulder field. After the meat grinder, the river begins narrowing and the paddler becomes dwarfed by the large mountains overhead. This section in my opinion is the highlight of the float, well worth the meat grinder portage. The river only remains calm for a short stretch before the paddler reaches the pinball rapid. At over 100 yards long with multiple drops and boulders dotting its course, it is also wise to portage if your not a skilled paddler. After the pinball rapid, the river calms down and you enjoy a beautiful float through a dense forest. This is a great section to view wildlife and paddle beside enormous sandstone boulders that protrude from the river's surface. The quiet pool ends in a small rapid and a series of riffles that will scoot you into the Carson Island section of Elkhorn City. This float offers stunning scenery and a lot of adventure for those up for running. For EKB Evening News at 6, I'm Ronnie Hilton.