Kennebec River Rafting

Summer is family time, and there is nothing like getting outdoors with the kids and playing on rivers and trails to give everyone something to talk about for the rest of the year.  Big travel vacations are tough for families in an economy like this, but a 2-3 day getaway packed with fun is possible, only a short drive away from everyday life. 

Kids in the game room, families playing water volleyball in the swimming pool, everybody trekking through the woods with GPS in hand on a Geocaching hunt — there is no end to the fun a Maine family adventure vacation offers.  Throw in half-price Kennebec River rafting or float trips and everyone is cooled off as well as relaxed. 

In honor of adventerous families, we have gathered our great family getaway activities into one list (TADA!) to make planning Maine adventure vacations with kids easier. Yes, we really are that good.  The fact that many of us have kids and love to watch their faces as they experience new things lets us help visitors with their planning.   We encourage everyone to bring the kids or the grandkids and come out to play.

Rafting enthusiasts take note: For those who have never rafted the Dead River in Maine, we highly recommend it.  The Dead River offers some of the best Maine whitewater rafting and it only runs a limited number of times a year!  With more continuous whitewater than any other river in the East, the Dead River puts you smack in the middle of super-intense, wet and wild action.

The Dead River is dam-controlled and has only 10 high-water releases per season.  We love to thrill guests on heart-pounding Class III, IV, and V whitewater from Grand Falls to the confluence of the Kennebec and Dead Rivers in the West Forks.

This rafting trips builds in intensity with great warm-up rapids at the top and culminates in the Class IV-V Poplar Hill Falls at the end. The scenery is outstanding, especially in September and October when the leaves are turning — if you have time to look!

The Release Schedule for the Rest of the 2010 Season:

Sunday, August 15th	3500 cfs  (Diablo Sport Rafts)
Sunday, September 5th	5500 cfs
Saturday, September 18th	3500 cfs  (Diablo Sport Rafts)
Saturday, October 2nd	Full Open up to 6000 cfs

Up here in Maine, we do what we do best - work and and play hard.  We'd be doing that whether anyone else noticed or not, but every now and then we find ourselves the subject of some great, national level, news coverage.  Recently in the USA Today section 'Travel Tips', our beautiful state got some exposure and Northern Outdoors was right in the mix. 

We like that we do things well enough that other people can appreciate what we have to offer, from the adventure of Maine whitewater rafting, to the luxury of a fully-stocked cabin on the edge of a lake to the fresh brewed beer at the Kennebec River Brewery and Pub.  It's satisfying to know that visiting with us gives people a much needed break and offers many options for fun.  

Thanks to all those who have visited and continue to visit us over the years.  We look forward to seeing you for a long time to come! 

The Kennebec River is a dam-controlled river, meaning so water for whitewater rafting is almost always guaranteed!  The Harris Station dam, built from 1952-1954, provides the releases on the Kennebec River.  Harris Station is a peak generation facility, meaning that it is one of the power plants called upon to meet increases demands for power, such as occur when the temperature rises and more air conditioning is turned on.  Increases in power needs in the summer mean the releases from the dam are often bigger on the hottest days - perfect for those looking to get cool through Kennebec River rafting!  Bigger releases means more water in the river - which means bigger waves and more fun!

Harris Station is unique for its “black-start” capability. The station can begin generating power and come on-line without the input of electricity. Black-start generating locations help start up other generators in the event of a large outage. Electricity from Harris is fed into the New England grid and moves throughout the state and the surrounding areas.  This also means that even if the power is down the rafting does not have to be! 

Farther north, Penobscot River rafting offers even more adventure, will great waves and views of Khatadin, the highest mountain in Maine and the northern terminus of the famous Appalachian Trail.

We're watching the mercury hit record temperatures all the way up the coast and thanking our stars that we work on the river where cooling off is part of going to work everyday.  With the forecast calling for nothing cooler that 86 degrees F in Boston for at least the next 10 days, we know people are going to be looking forward to some Maine whitewater rafting. 

The Kennebec and Dead river run cool and Kennebec River rafting and Penobscot River Rafting River rafting are perfect ways to take the bite out of the worst summer heat.  We make sure everyone gets wet in the big waves and that those of age have the option of a chilled, handcrafted, beer on tap at the end of the trip.   Anyone who's still too hot after all that can take a dip in the pool and chill on the deck under the stars.

The Forks, Maine is a rural paradise.  Located on Route 201 in North Western, Maine, The Forks and West Forks have a year round population of under 100 people, but oh what a place we live in!  We have stunning scenery, great kayaking and canoeing, awesome fishing, moose and eagles and great trails.  We also have wild Maine whitewater rafting and super-tastey micobrew beer at the Kennebec River Brewery, and lodging from luxury cabins to tent camping for visitors.  We're so country-cool we can hardly stand it.

Spring and summer means hours of play on the rivers and lakes either fishing or rafting or kayaking and canoeing.  It means day hikes on the Appalachian Trail or extended overnight treks on Maine hut to hut hiking trips.  It means eating well at local restaurants and sipping some KRB BlueBerry Ale after a long day working or playing.

Come fall, the leaves are nothing short of stunning, and long scenic drives are only one way to see them.  Kennebec River rafting or Dead River rafting allow for viewing vistas that most folks never glimpse.  An autumn hike to Moxie falls is something not soon forgotten!

Winter brings its own wonder, with frozen lakes and rivers, moose and rabbit tracks in the snow, and great trails for snowmobiling, whether day trips or over night multi-day excusions.

There's no season here that doesn't delight.  The Forks may be small, but being here is a mighty big time!

Whitewater in New England runs fast and wild - the perfect place to test outdoor gear of all kinds.  Olympus Cameras brought its new waterproof Stylus Tough Digital Camera to Maine to abuse it in all sorts of conditions.  Northern Outdoors' video boater, Nick Atwood, rigged his whitewater kayak with half a dozen cameras and put them through their paces on the Kennebec River.  Best known for as a prime run for Maine whitewater rafting, the Kennebec gave the Stylus and Nick a glorious ride, as the video proves!

Among other adventures the Stylus Tough Camera had in Maine were snowboarding at Sugarloaf, mountain biking in Carrabassett Valley, lobster fishing off Portland Head, skateboarding and bowling (though inexplicably not candlepin bowling!) and a wild ride in a washing machine at the local laundrymat.  That's a tough camera getting put through its paces in a state known for rugged adventure.  From hut to hut hiking trips to Maine whitewater rafting, Maine is a great place to come out and play, and we're thinking the Stylus Tough is a great camera to bring along!

Father's Day (June 21, 2010) is the day Dad gets to play.  For a lot of dads that just means they get out of mowing the lawn for a week.  We vote for something more - like playing in the Maine woods for the weekend.  Spending time with friends and family kicking back in a great cabin - rocking some Kennebec River Rafting and lots of fresh beer and good eats at the onsite Kennebec River Pub & Brewery. 

And remember when you bring Dad for a weekend of Maine whitewater rafting at Northern Outdoors, dad rafts for free.  Yep!  You read it right, pay for your own full price trip and dad rides the rapds on us!  (The only thing better than playing for the weekend is playing for less.)  So go ahead and make this a Father's Day not soon forgotten.

Kids love the water - and the idea of whitewater rafting New England rivers thrills many of them.  But what if the kids are too young for a full-on Kennebec River rafting trip?  Float trips are the answer! 

Available for kids as young as 8 years of age, a float trip on a Maine river is both exciting and relaxing.  With splashy ripples, great views, an the posibility of sighting moose, herons, eagles and opsreys in the wild, a self-guided Kennebec River float trip is a great way to get the entire family on the water.  Float trips take place on a calmer section of river than Kennebec River rafting trips, and offer a more relaxed option for a day on the river.

Most of the time, float trips offer the opportunity for each person to raft with a small one-person or two-person inflatable kayak - allowing each child the option of being captain of his or her own ship!  A taste of independence, cool water and fun - what more could anyone want on their Maine family vacation?

Heading to the Maine woods to ride on Maine ATV trails or indulge in Kennebec river rafting, means traveling a few hours from home. Most people make a weekend of it, and turn their time here into mini Maine adventure vacations.

One way to make a weekend getaway affordable is to choose to camp out instead of staying in a motel or renting a cabin. But then there's all the bother of setting up tents, rolling them up damp from dew the morning it's time to leave, drying them out at home and packing them away... Enter the cabin tent!

Made from rugged canvas, these cabin tents — also called platform tents — are semi-permanent structures set up off the ground on wooden platforms. They have wooden doors, often a window or two and have 2-4 wooden cots with mattresses upon which to spread out sleeping bags and dream the night away.   Each also has it's own picnic table and fire ring.

With access to a shared bathhouse complete with hot showers, cabin tents offer the cost savings of tent camping, but without a big part of the hassle. Add to that the sound of the Kennebec River in the background and a short walk to the main lodge where great food, fresh beer, a hot tub and great company await, and cabin tents become a great adventure lodging option!

In order to get to the best Maine whitewater rafting (Dead River rafting & Kennebec River rafting), visitors drive up US Route 201.   This scenic road is runs from Fairfield to the Canadian border and is known by a couple of other names - The Old Canada Road Scenic Byway and "Moose Alley."  Anyone traveling along this stunning road will see instantly why it is listed as a Scenic Byway and once the road begins to parallel the Kennebec River, the fact that this is moose country makes the reason for the second nickname obvious as well.

Moose (Alces alces) are the largest members of the deer family.  They are are usually dark brown in color, though they can appear tan or even patchwork when they are transitioning to and from their winter coats.  They have long legs, large bulbous noses and short powerful necks.  Females are known as cows, babies as calves and males as bulls.  Bulls drop their antlers in the winter, but begin growing them again in the spring and are often spotted with enormous, flat-spanning racks in summer and into fall.

Because of their short necks, moose cannot lower their heads to graze in a traditional fashion, so they are often seen standing chest deep in water and marshes, feeding on underwater weeds or shore grasses.   This habit makes US Route 201 ideal of moose spotting as the road is bordered by miles of rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes.

Keeping an eye out for these 1000+ pound giants is a wise idea, not only because it is a thrill to spot one, but because having an automotive encounter with one is not recommended.  Making moose spotting part of Maine family vacations is always a great idea and those travel "Moose Alley" to The Forks amd north towards Jackman and the Canadian border have a head start on the fun.

Father's Day is coming right up and we're looking forward to seeing a lot of dads on the river enjoying Maine whitewater rafting.   There's nothing like getting out on the river to make a day special - especially when dads get to go rafting for free!  (Which they do at Northern Outdoors, with one other full paying guest.)

Northern Outdoors is dad's favorite type of place - lots of fun, great food, fresh beer on tap, and a great cabin to go back to at the end of an adventure-packed day.  Make a weekend of it  - heck if a day of appreciation is good, then two days are even better.  Grab a cabin and no one has to mow the lawn, take out the trash or do the dishes. 

Kennebec River rafting is an awesome experience that people return to again and again.  If Dad gets hooked on it, this can become an annual family adventure vacation.  Not bad when you consider the hearty eats and great adventures available to the whole crew.

We've noticed this year that our rafting calendar shows a few weekends when all three of Maine's whitewater rivers are flowing. Wow! We thought how can we share these super special weekends with everyone? Lo & behold the Maine Triple Crown of Rafting was born. (And you thought Triple Crowns were just for horses.)

Northern Outdoors is offering rafting on our three fantastic rivers, the Kennebec River, the Dead River and the Penobscot River for the price of two. Each river offers its own style of ferociously wet fun, and there is no better way to experience them than one right after the other - and for a raging deal of a price.

The Maine Whitewater Rafting Triple Crown is designed to send shivers of bliss through the serious river-loving rafting enthusiast. Raft the Kennebec, Dead, and Penobscot all in one long weekend and save half price on the second and third river trips. Oh yeah! 

Between the rafting, the great food and lodging, these long whitewater weekends are sure to be the highlight of the summer for anyone who is up for the challenge. 

Adventures Weddings in the Maine woods can be both thrilling and unique.  Whether the ceremony is planned for indoors in a timberframe lodge or outside by the pond or on a rocky backroad, there is something about a true north country setting that makes such an event special -- perhaps it is the casual nature of such a wedding. 

The informal nature of an adventure wedding is a pleasant twist on an often overly formal event.  The nice thing about Maine adventure weddings, is they can be causal or grand, back-woods or formal in every aspect from food to ceremony setting.

Single day wedding events are one of a kind happenings set in a rustic yet completely comfortable atmosphere filled with food, drink and fantastic scenery.

Multi-day adventure weddings at Northern Outdoors include cabin lodging, multiple evenings to enjoy live music and time in the pool or hot tub.  With clear rivers for Maine whitewater rafting, hiking trails to explore and stunning lakes to float, brides, grooms, wedding party members and guests will not be at a loss for things to do during the day. 

Great local bands and musicians, catered food from the Kennebec River Pub and fresh brewed beer provided by the Kennebec River Brewery make receptions simple to arrange, and the open, rustic main lodge is the perfect setting for dining and dancing. 

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the longest foot trail in the United States and runs 2,178 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine, passing through 14 states along the way.  In Maine, the trail comes out of New Hampshire's, White Mountains, through the Mahoosics, over the Height of Land, through the 100 Mile Wilderness, before reaching its Northern terminus in Baxter State Park.

There are numerous creek and river crossings along the way, some small enough to walk across, some spanned by sturdy bridges.  The Kennebec River Crossing is another adventure entirely.

At 70 yards wide and too deep to safely ford, the Kennebec River is the longest unbridged river crossing on the entire length of the AT.  The Maine Appalachian Trail Club has contracted with David P. Corrigan of Fletcher Mountain Outfitters to provide a scheduled  Ferry Service to AT Hikers. While not open to use by the general public, it is a site worth seeing.






The Ferry consists of a large, red canoe paddled expertly from one shore to the other carrying hikers and their gear.  It's quite exciting to watch the Ferry in action, and anyone visiting the area for Maine whitewater rafting, hiking or fishing while the Ferry is running, should stop and see it in action. 

The Ferry is located on the Kennebec River where the Appalachian Trail meets the river at Caratunk, below the part of the river known for Kennebec river rafting.   There is an area for cars to park off the road, allowing visitors to hike the short distance along the AT to see the Ferry.





The Kennebec River Appalachian Trail Ferry schedule for 2010 is as follows:

• May 28 – July 15              9 a.m. to 11 a.m. only
• July 16 – September 30    9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• October 1 – October 11    9 a.m. to 11 a.m. only

(Northern Outdoors provides a daily scheduled shuttle service back to the Ferry Crossing / Trail to AT Hikers who stop at our adventure resort for a bite to eat or a good night's sleep and hot showers.)

In some states, it's said, there are two seasons, construction and winter.  Maine is lucky enough to have four definitive seasons - though sometimes spring is known as Mud Season.

But those who spend winter in this part of New England know spring is much more than melting snow and mud.  Spring is short sleeves instead of turtle necks, sitting on the porch on the lee side of the house in the sun for the first time in months.  Spring is fiddlehead ferns poking through last falls leaves and geese flying north and the return of loons to the ponds.  Spring is getting outside to explore waterfalls and rivers made full by snow melt, smelling the apple trees in blossom, crisp mornings and warm, welcoming days.

Breaking out the hiking boots and fly rods, setting off for  Maine fishing adventures and resort settings with great access to hut to hut hiking trails and waiting in expectation of the first day of Kennebec River rafting are all part of letting go of winter in Maine.  We're in that process now and it's one we enjoy every year.  Those who have never  adventured during a Maine spring should add it to their 'to do' list - it's so much more fun than spring cleaning!

If you're not one of those people with a 3 inch thick clump of lift tickets bouncing from your jacket, but rather a season's pass holder at one of the many New Englnd ski areas, you can do more than just put the pass in your recycling bin, you can use it help veterans and save money rafting!

New England Ski Area season pass holders will save $15 off all Northern Outdoors May & June Maine whitewater rafting trips with their current Season Pass. For every season pass rafter, Northern Outdoors will donate $5 to the Maine Handicapped Skiing's Veterans / No Boundaries Program.
 
Maine Handicapped Skiing's Veterans/No Boundaries, provides veterans and active duty personnel with disabilities summer and winter adaptive sports activities, free of charge.

Veterans/No Boundaries is funded by Bath Iron Works, Disabled Sports USA, veterans groups, local businesses and individuals who are passionate about supporting Maine’s service men and women.

Kennebec River rafting season opens May 8, 2010 and there's a ton of water in the rivers.  Snowmelt becomes whitewater, so taking adventure from the slopes to the rivers is a natural transition.  Pass it on!

As spring turns to summer and snow turns to runoff it's time to put away your skis and boards and get out on Maine's whitewater rivers and benefit a good cause.
 
Northern Outdoors, based in The Forks, Maine is offering all New England skiers and riders a chance to directly support disabled veterans and active service personnel via spring rafting vacations. New England Ski Area season pass holders will save $15 off all Northern Outdoors May & June rafting trips with their current Season Pass. For every season pass rafter, Northern Outdoors will donate $5 to the Maine Handicapped Skiing's Veterans / No Boundaries Program.
 
Maine Handicapped Skiing's Veterans/No Boundaries, provides veterans and active duty personnel with disabilities summer and winter adaptive sports activities, free of charge.  Veterans/No Boundaries is funded by Bath Iron Works, Disabled Sports USA, veterans groups, local businesses and individuals who are passionate about supporting Maine’s service men and women.
 
Spring white water rafting typically has higher water flows thanks to winter snow melt and offers exciting early season adventure. The Ski Pass Special is valid on all three of Maine’s whitewater rivers- the Kennebec, the Penobscot, and the Dead River. Each unique river offers a vacation experience of thrilling fun and adventure for first-time rafters, families, and high adventure enthusiasts.
 
For more information on the New England Ski Resort Season Pass Holders Special call 800-765-7238 or visit www.NorthernOutdoors.com.

Haven't seen any significant snow since the rain and subsequent freeze up last week. All 100 miles of The Forks Trail System are passable, but there are some tough sections. You can get through everywhere . . . just have to "bob & weave" to stay on snow and get around obstacles, on some parts.

Theres' enjoyable riding north of Berry's Store in West Forks on ITS 89 towards Jackman and ITS 86 towards Rockwood and up to Pittston Farm. There's good riding on ITS 86 from Moxie Lake heading east towards Greenville. We are recommending riders trailer 5 - 8 miles north to The Forks or Moxie Lake and ride the higher elevations where there is still decent snow cover.  (see photo above taken yesterday on ITS 87) 

•    ITS 86 from Berry's Store in West Forks, heading east toward Greenville  is poor until you get past Moxie Lake. You can get through, but there's ice and a few washouts to work around. From Moxie Lake toward Greenville is good riding and is being groomed.
 
•    Bald Mountain Trail  connecting ITS 86 and ITS 87 has good riding is being groomed. There is an active logging operation on this section, for 1 mile. One snowbank has been winged down, so sleds can stay on snow.
 
•    ITS 87 heading south toward Bingham  has several poor spots. There is an active logging operation for 2 miles along the Divide Road. One snowbank has been pulled down for a majority of this stretch, so sleds can stay on snow most of the way. There are still a couple short stretches where you're grinding on dirt. The rest of the Divide Road to Northern Outdoors is decent with plenty of snow, and is being groomed. Heading further south on ITS 87 to Pleasant Pond is fair. Continuing south on toward Bingham is poor and icy in several places, but passable.
 
•    Pleasant Pond Trail connecting ITS 87 with the Bald Mountain Trail has good snow and good riding, and is being groomed.
 
•    Kennebec River Trail  from Northern Outdoors to Berry's Store in West Forks, is ok in some places and poor in others. It is passable all the way through. The last 1 mile before getting into town is the worst part.
 
In summary, all trails in The Forks system are passable. Parts (described above) have good to very good riding and are being groomed. Other parts are in poor shape. Ride with caution at all times.  Open water bars, rocks, shelf ice and hard packed ice can be anywhere.
 
Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club

Well, The Forks Snowmobile Trail System really took a beating on Monday with all the wind and rain. We have been out the last 2 days trying to fix problem areas and clearing the trails of blowdowns. All 100 miles of the trail system are passable, but there are some pretty ugly sections. I've detailed them below as best as possible. You can get through everywhere, but you will have to "bob & weave" to stay on snow on some sections, and to get around washouts/waterholes. There is still decent riding on ITS 86 from Moxie Lake heading east toward Greenville, and on the Bald Mountain Trail.  There's some good riding on the West Forks Trail System from Berry's Store, heading north toward Jackman on ITS 87 and ITS 89. All other sections are marginal.

•    ITS 86 from Berry's Store heading east toward Greenville is poor until you get to Moxie Lake. Washouts and bare spots. You can get through, but it's not pretty. From Moxie Lake to Greenville is pretty good with decent snow and we will be grooming this section on Thursday night.
 
•    Bald Mountain Trail connecting ITS 86 and ITS 87 has good riding. There is an active logging operation on this section, for 1 mile. One snowbank has been winged down so sleds can stay on snow most of the way. This trail will be groomed on Thursday night.
 
•    ITS 87 heading south toward Bingham is poor most of the way. There is an active logging operation for 2 miles on the Divide Road that is down to dirt. The groomer went out to that section on Wednesday to pull one of the snowbanks down, so sleds can get on snow. The rest of the Divide Road to Northern Outdoors is decent and will be groomed on Thursday night. Heading further south on ITS 87 to Pleasant Pond and toward Bingham is not recommended. It is passable, but numerous bare spots and washouts.
 
•     Kennebec River Trail from Northern Outdoors to Berrys Store in West Forks, is ok in some spots and poor in others. It is passable all the way through. The last 1 mile before getting into town is the worst part.
 
•    Pleasant Pond Trail (club trail). Conditions are unknown at this time, as we haven't had a chance to check it out. I would guess that it's all ok (it's mostly on unplowed road), except for the 1 mile around the south end of Pleasant Pond.
 
•    Breakneck Ridge Trail to Blanchard. Conditions are unknown. This section is maintained by the 4 Winds Club out of Guilford.
 
Again, all trails in The Forks are passable, but some sections are in bad shape. Ride with caution at all times!  Open water bars, rocks, shelf ice, and hard packed ice can be anywhere. Other than parts of ITS 86 and the Bald Mountain Trail described above, recommended riding is from Berrys Store in West Forks heading north on ITS 87 and ITS 89. Still decent snow cover there, and the FAR club will be grooming these sections.
 
Jim Yearwood
Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club