bigspencer

[bigspencer]

The blackflies really aren’t that bad this spring. You’re always going to have them with brooks/streams/flatwaters mixed with overgrowth of brush/weeks nearby and as terrain near brooks becomes lower-lying. Lots of mosquitoes in areas though…fwiw

Steve

[bigspencer]

kdaanen…looks like a terrific resource, especially through the “down zones” for the 24×7 net-phobes.

[bigspencer]

What might be possible up in Maine…to make connection/payment for rental @some northern Maine outfitter…have them drive it to a location on said date where you’d pick up and paddle up to Fort Kent/wherever outfitter’s front door….
More than a few outfitters who rent out…will have area around shop for after hours return…
*Think better idea would be kdaanen’s idea..get a comfortable boat to paddle/haul and just put it up at most northerly shop for consignment.

Ditto on the cart as well and/or pick up a comfortable(as possible) yoke…or quarterback shoulder pads(if cheap) = makes for a comfy portage when/if needed. Might have to eat a little on the price of canoe when trying to sell but forsale websites in US and MEC covers Canada = any New Brunswick paddlers it’s an easy pickup. $.01

Steve

[bigspencer]

You could use a cable-lock and hitch a canoe and packs to trees if you’re near the official trail. When near any “official” route you just never know…. Haven’t witnessed anything stolen in all my times out in the woods, although I have to say that in the mid-90s, when living in Boston area, I left canoe(non-expensive Royalex OT) on shore to take a short hike only to come back and see it being used by a couple of 20-something guys…~60′ from shore, so luckily it was just an embarassing time for them…..but ditto Kalmia’s thoughts on definitely hiding stuff.

[bigspencer]

Just grab a couple dark-colored headnets, stock up with some successful bug spray/dope…and you’ll be fine. Temps are always up and down a bit, but they’re between the mid_50s to lower_60s already…up there. Looks like a promising June….fwiw. Might try stepping outside the official trail now & then….to any pond or lake. Really tough to predict where they won’t be…..of course the wetland marshes and low terrain along the shores of such are usually their havens…but during June and July “When” is often more definitive than “Where”. The best aid is often a good breeze…

Steve

[bigspencer]

*Just my $.01 but I think if you get off the official trail here & there the more wildlife you’ll encounter…
Moose R. is fun but has gotten a little Coney Islandish in comparison with lots of other areas…but agreed it’s still a nice trip.
The Allagash Lake trip is pretty nice…it’s an expansive lake with some ice caves as well for the exploration…but good for long paddles. Numerous other ponds/lakes. Ponds are dedicated that by depth…so many so-called ponds are often not little mudpuddles, and attract more wildlife because of their less-deep extremeties with vegetation.
On the map this may look like a lot more driving, but it’s ~20mi north from Rockwood(after driving in on #15 from Jackman) to the Pittston Farm([lodging &]meals). Actually you can hang a left on Demo Rd that branches off between Long Pond & Brassua Lake..but there’s gas at the store at outskirts of Rockwood along the river…sooo you might opt out of Demo Rd…but then head across the river on Northern Rd to the 20Mile Gate. You have a lake(Canada Falls Lake) with the South Branch(Penobscot) being its inlet(western end of lake) and its outlet, the pushy-water(ww-reputation and nice holes for fishing)…both loaded with brooktrout and landlocks(in the lake). The Penob’s North Branch, in its upper stretches is smaller with access to a couple pools but widens out a bit and slows down for an easy canoe paddle. The whole area is terrific for moose, deer, bird & (sometimes bear) watching, but tough tires…especially in a wet Spring are often needed…with clearance. 20Mile Gate(NMW) is just beyond the Pittston Farm. A hassle but numerous campsites around the area…along with BigBog campsite(up ~15mi) on Budworm Brook Rd…no usual hazards but clearance is always safe to have. Little bit more of a drive but with the campsites & Pittston Farm the area makes for a little trip a little ways back in time when the area was wild, with less cutting and fewer roads…etc. Good anytime really. Bob and Jenn get quite a few snowmobiling crowds in winter as well. The have website too. Often have to wait till dark for animals as there has been cutting in areas along the Golden Road in last year.
$.01
SteveD

[Author]

Posts