This trip is characterized by the granite outcrop shoals along the Irvin Pitts Memorial park. Paddlers can expect to utilize their technical maneuvering skills to navigate this exciting and heavily bouldered area. There are sections of flat water mixed in with rapids making this stretch of the river an exciting challenge.

The Ware Shoals Community Foundation River Access off of Beacham Road/US Hwy25 is only 5 minutes away from Irvin Pitts Memorial Park. Paddlers should put in at the far east end of the park to avoid the majority of the shoals. In low water, paddling down the shoals may be difficult. Once on the river, paddlers will experience Class I-II rapids and a few exciting small drops. The US Hwy 25 bridge is the first road crossing. To get to the access, turn west onto Beacham Road off of US Hwy 25. Continue for 100 feet and then bear right into a dirt parking area. From the parking area, a trail leads 300 feet  through the woods to a small beach along the river. Paddlers will see a set of stairs leading from the river to the trail, river right, and should exit here before reaching the US Hwy 25 bridge. Once on the river, paddlers will cross immediately under the US Hwy 25 bridge. This is the only bridge/road crossing along this trip. As the Saluda River enters Lake Greenwood, the channels become very wide and the water stills. Souls Harbor, a one lane boat ramp, is located straight ahead as paddlers enter Lake Greenwood, before the lake turns 90 degrees and flows east. Parking is available along the shoulder of Ridge Road. Overnight or extended parking is not recommended. For more information see The Upper Saluda River Blueway map.