Save the Date for Head North Ski Days: March 16 – 22, 2019

This winter, we hope to guide you to exceptional experiences in the snowy Monument. If you’re a XC skier or snowshoer, you’ll want to save the dates of Saturday, March 16th to Friday, March 22nd, 2019 for the sixth annual Head North Ski Days. Head North Ski Days is a weeklong event with free ski rentals and access to groomed trails in the north of the Monument provided by Friends and Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.

Students and schools are invited to join Education Coordinator Kala Rush for educational trips into the Monument from Monday, March 18th to Friday, March 22nd. Please contact Kala at kala@friendsofkww.org for more details.

More information about this annual event will be posted to the website soon.

Portland Monument Planning Meeting: Nov 14th

The National Park Service (NPS) will host a public meeting on November 14, 2018, to continue the conversation on the on-going management planning process at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Meeting Details:
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks
200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, Maine 04106

The meeting will include an overview and welcome by Superintendent Tim Hudson and a presentation of mapped resources and past planning events. Following the presentation, participants will also have the opportunity to visit separate information stations in an informal open house format to provide input on the mapped resources and uses in the monument. Light refreshments will be provided.

Similar public meetings were held in Presque Isle on October 17 and in Bangor on October 30, 2018. Future meetings on the planning process will be held throughout 2019.

You are invited to participate in the planning process by attending public meetings and sharing your input via email. If you submit written comments, please cc us at info@friendsofkww.org to let us know how you’ve weighed in.

This is an important opportunity for Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters supporters who are eager to take an active role in determining how the monument is managed and conserved. If you plan on joining us at the meeting or would like information on future meetings, please email our Operations and Special Projects Coordinator, Sam Deeran.

Brewer Monument Planning Meeting: Oct 30th

The National Park Service (NPS) will host a public meeting on October 30, 2018, to continue the conversation on the on-going management planning process at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Meeting Details:
Tuesday October 30, 2018
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Jeff’s Catering
15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, Maine

The meeting will include an overview and welcome by Superintendent Tim Hudson and a presentation of mapped resources and past planning events. Following the presentation, participants will also have the opportunity to visit separate information stations in an informal open house format to provide input on the mapped resources and uses in the monument. Light refreshments will be provided.

Additional public meetings will be held throughout 2018 including one in the Portland, Maine area on November 14, 2018.

You are invited to participate in the planning process by attending public meetings and sharing your input via email. If you submit written comments, please cc us at info@friendsofkww.org to let us know how you’ve weighed in.

This is an important opportunity for Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters supporters who are eager to take an active role in determining how the monument is managed and conserved. If you plan on joining us at the meeting or would like information on future meetings, please email our Operations and Special Projects Coordinator, Sam Deeran.

Katahdin Region to Host Celebration of Darkest Skies East of the Mississippi at Annual “Stars Over Katahdin” Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, September 21st, 2018

Katahdin Region to Host Celebration of Darkest Skies East of the Mississippi at Annual “Stars Over Katahdin” Events

Patten, ME — An annual tradition of showcasing the dark skies of the Katahdin region will continue this year at Stars Over Katahdin on Oct. 6thand 9th, hosted by Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (Friends) and Elliotsville Plantation, Inc (EPI). Stars Over Katahdin will feature an exhibition of the United States’ darkest skies East of the Mississippi for the general public, while the educational events preceding will provide opportunities for students of the Katahdin region to learn about the stunning nights skies of their hometowns. The events take place as supporters of the Monument push to conserve the extraordinary night skies as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary as designated by the International Dark Sky Association.

As part of the place-based education program Katahdin Learning Project, students at Katahdin Elementary and Myal Oprick Elementary will be treated to presentations on the night skies from Northern Stars Planetarium. John Meader, Director of Northern Stars Planetarium in Fairfield, will be presenting age-appropriate lessons on the stars, planets, and distant galaxies to students inside a large inflatable dome designed for projections of celestial objects. Programs at Katahdin Elementary will take place September 24that 9:45am, 12:15am, and 5:00pm. Programs at Myal Oprick Elementary will take place September 25that 9:00am and 10:15am. These events are closed to the general public, but open to press upon prior request.

“Our night skies are becoming a source of local pride for students and community members alike,” said Kala Rush, Education and Engagement Coordinator with the Friends. “Through educational and interpretive programming, the Monument has elevated awareness of this increasingly scarce resource in our own backyard. This is one case where we’re proud to be in the dark.”

On Saturday Oct. 6th, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters members and Monument Volunteers Eric and Elaine Hendrickson of Presque Isle will be leading a guided day hike exploring the history and geology along the banks of the Wassataquoik Stream north to Orin Falls. Hikers will meet at Sandbank Stream Campsite to carpool at 10:30am.

Hikers with small children or a part of a family are welcome to meet Katahdin Learning Project place-based educator Scarlet McAvoy for a Family Hike at Sandbank Stream Campsite at 2pm with an optional picnic to follow (families provide their own food). Those interested in the Family Hike are invited to RSVP to smcavoy@rsu89.org.

Saturday evening, astronomers, Monument volunteers, and star enthusiasts will gather at the Loop Road Overlook at Mile 6.4 for a campfire program (s’mores included) followed by a guided telescope viewing of the stars. Carpools and a reservation-only shuttle bus will be meeting at Sandbank Stream Campsite at 5pm. Those interested in shuttling to the Overlook should contact Susan Adams at lunksoos@gmail.com to reserve a spot on the shuttle. Event attendees planning to camp out for the night in the Monument should be aware that campsites within the Monument are likely to be full with other visitors that weekend. Friends suggests attendees hoping to stay overnight book accommodations at the nearby Pine Grove Campground or at other local accommodations.

Tuesday, Oct. 9th at 7pm, the Millinocket Memorial Library will be showing an early screening of “Saving the Dark”, a film directed by Sriram Murali about night skies and the increasing effects of light pollution.

“ ‘Saving the Dark’ does a great job of laying out how precious and deserving of conservation our dark are,” said Nancy Hathaway, a Friends member who is volunteering her time to help organize Stars Over Katahdin. “The film is an important reminder of what’s at stake as we work to protect these lands and the skies above.”

Stars Over the Katahdin takes place while Friends, EPI, and the National Park Service continue their collective effort to have the Monument designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association. The efforts to conserve the night skies of the region were previously covered in the Portland Press Herald’s feature “Let there be dark: Advocates push Maine as astrotourism destination” and The County’s article “Dark skies a resource to protect”. Light pollution maps show that this part of Maine is home to a patch of dark skies larger than any other in the United States East of the Mississippi River. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument sits in the heart of the dark skies of northern Maine. With a total eclipse expected to move directly over the Monument in 2024, dark sky advocates pushing for the International Dark Sky Designation hope Katahdin Woods and Waters can be a major destination for astrotourists from across the world.

Press Contacts:
Kala Rush, Education and Engagement Coordinator
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
(406) 728 – 5692

Susan Adams, Recreation Manager
Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.
(207) 852 – 1291

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Katahdin Area Students Volunteer at BikeMaine for an Educational Experience

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, September 8, 2018

Katahdin Area Students Volunteer at BikeMaine for an Educational Experience

Fort Fairfield, ME – Katahdin Region students came together again to volunteer as the tent and porter crew for BikeMaine 2018: Acadia in the St. John Valley – La Terre Entre Deux (the land between). Students take seven days, including five away from school, to work setting up and taking down tents. They join cyclists for each meal, learn from a place-based curriculum in the afternoon, and then camp out each night in “tent city.” The week is facilitated and supported through multiple partnerships ranging from the Katahdin Learning Project, a place-based learning initiative offering educational opportunities at the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, to Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. The work could not be done without the amazing teacher chaperones from Katahdin Middle High School, CariLynn Hanson and Kyle Quarles. Katahdin region schools such as Katahdin Middle High School have the opportunity to jump on board in order to offer students this week-long learning adventure.

What is the Katahdin Learning Project?

The Katahdin Learning Project, a project of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, works to create educational opportunities through place-based learning in the Katahdin Region, using Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and the surrounding communities as the backdrop.

MISSION: The mission of the Katahdin Learning Project is to foster and support authentic teaching and learning in the Katahdin Region that engages students in real projects in the community and the wild and natural places surrounding them.

VISION: We envision a future where our youth, public lands, and education will unite us, create vibrant communities, and ensure a prosperous future for the Katahdin Region.

Why do we partner with BikeMaine?

BikeMaine offers participating students a rare opportunity to learn through hands-on activities in nearby communities with a curriculum created by teachers and partners in order to enhance and provide the best and most educational experience possible. The crew also earn a substantial stipend for programs at their school, like resources for their outdoor education program.

Who participates?

Students, grade 7-11, from the Katahdin Middle / High School

Partners including Katahdin Learning Project/Friends of Katahdin Woods and Water, Elliotsville Plantation, Inc., Katahdin Middle / High School, and BikeMaine.

Contacts:

Kala Rush
Education and Engagement Coordinator
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters
(406) 728-5692
kala@friendsofkww.org

Marie Robinson
Principal at Katahdin Middle / High School Principal
(207) 365-4218
marierobinson@rsu89.org

CariLynn Hanson
Teacher at Katahdin Middle / High School
(207) 365-4218
chanson@rsu89.org

Susan Adams
Recreation Manager
Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.
(207) 852-1291
lunksoos@gmail.com

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Stars Over Katahdin: Oct 6th and 9th

Stars Over Katahdin 2018

Saturday, October 6th and Tuesday, October 9th
Presented by Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. and Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters

You’re invited you to join Elliotsville Plantation, Inc (EPI), Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (Friends), Volunteers In Parks (VIP) astronomers, and star enthusiasts to celebrate the stunning night skies of the Katahdin Region!

Guide Hike through Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Saturday, Oct. 6th
10:30am to 4pm
Meet-up at Sandbank Stream Campsite

Saturday, VIP guides Eric and Elaine Hendrickson will be leading us on an easygoing 6-mile hike along the banks of Wassataquoik Stream north to Orin Falls. Along the way, our guides will share some of the geologic and historical aspects of the area, including stories of Teddy Roosevelt’s crossing of the Wassataquoik and Donn Fendler ’s being Lost on a Mountain in Maine. It’s fall in the north woods, so it’s a great time to watch for birds, leaves changing, and fall wildflowers along the way.

Be sure to pack sturdy hiking shoes, lunches, water, day packs, clothing layers and a camera. Hikers will meet at Sandbank Stream Campsite at 10:30am on Saturday, October 6th and then car pool to the Wassataquoik Gate. We will return to Sandbank by 4pm. To RSVP email Susan Adams, Recreation Manager for EPI, at lunksoos@gmail.com

Family Hike and Picnic
Saturday, Oct. 6th
2pm
Meet-up at Sandbank Stream Campsite

Hikers with small children or a part of a family are welcome to meet Katahdin Learning Project place-based educator Scarlet McAvoy for a guided hike at Sandbank Stream Campsite at 2pm with an optional picnic to follow (families provide their own food). Please RSVP to smcavoy@rsu89.org if you plan to attend the Family Hike and Picnic.

Star Viewing in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Saturday, Oct. 6th, 5pm to 10pm
Overlook at Mile 6.4 of the Loop Road

Join us for an evening of campfire chats, s’mores, and guided stargazing at one of the darkest areas east of the Mississippi. While enjoying s’mores provided by EPI, we’ll hear tall tales of the north woods in the shadow of Katahdin as we wait for the sun to set and the skies to darken. Following our campfire program, we will walk up to the Loop Road Overlook where our Astro VIPs will teach us what lies overhead through interpretation of stars, planets, and celestial objects seen with telescopes, binoculars, and the naked eye.

Be advised that we do ask attendees to walk up to the Overlook rather than drive. A car’s headlights – or even the dashboard lights – can decrease the eye’s ability to perceive light from the stars above. The walk to the Overlook is uphill for about 100 yards.

For Saturday evening event’s please pack warm layers, water, sturdy shoes, personal camp chair, and a flashlight (red lights are preferred).  We also suggest you consider packing a picnic supper, personal telescope or binoculars, and warm mat to lie on to better view the skies. We will provide the campfire, s’mores, red cellophane to shield flashlights and phones, telescope, guides, and drinking water.

A free passenger shuttle service can be reserved for a ride from Sandbank Stream Campsite to the Overlook. The shuttle departs at 5pm and returns around 10:30pm. To reserve your seat email Susan Adams at lunksoos@gmail.com. There will also be carpools leaving from Sandbank Stream Campsite around the same time.

If you are hoping to stay in the Monument during Stars Over Katahdin, please be aware it is likely that campsites in the Monument will be full. Camping should be available at the Pine Grove Campground. You can also explore other local accommodations here.

The night sky viewing and overnight camping will be canceled in the case of inclement weather. EPI will post on their Facebook page if the event is canceled within 8 hours of the event’s start time.

“Saving the Dark” Film Screening
Tuesday, Oct. 9th, 7pm
Millinocket Memorial Library

Join local astronomy enthusiast Nancy Hathaway at the Millinocket Memorial Library for an early screening of Sriram Murali’s new film about the treasure that is the night skies and the ill effects of growing light pollution. You can watch a trailer for “Saving the Dark” here.

For more information on Stars Over Katahdin 2018, please contact Susan Adams, Recreation Manager for Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. at lunksoos@gmail.com and follow along on the EPI facebook page.

 

Supporters of Maine’s National Monument to Gather at Sold Out 2nd Anniversary Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, August 24th, 2018

Contact:
Andrew Bossie
Executive Director
Cell: (207) 899 – 9983

Molly Ross
Board President
Cell: (703) 819-2643

Supporters of Maine’s National Monument to Gather at Sold Out 2nd Anniversary Celebration
This year’s festivities take place as the monument makes progress on several fronts.

Patten, ME — Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (Friends) will kick off the 2nd Anniversary Celebration of the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument this weekend. The events taking place Friday and Saturday evening are sold out, but organizers are encouraging the public to enjoy the beautiful late-summer weather forecast in and around the monument through suggested outdoor and community trips and experiences.

“We’re pleased with the progress our monument has made in just two years,” says Friends’ Executive Director, Andrew Bossie. “Signs are going up, visitation is strong, planning is underway, and the local economy is benefiting; we’re excited about the future of the park and for the gateway communities of the Katahdin Region. This weekend we celebrate the community of our public lands while also supporting it.”

The evening, presented with Maine Beer Company (MBC), will include dinner from Patten-based Casual Elegance Caterers, Woods & Waters beer and other selections from MBC, a silent auction of outdoor gear, experiences, and memorabilia, as well as live performances by the Magic 8 Ball Quartet, sponsored by The Wilderness Society. Following a speaking program and awards ceremony, guests will get the chance to experience the night skies of the area by walking a short distance from the event to telescopes and an interpretive presentation.

Friends partnered with L.L. Bean to encourage attendees to “Be an Outsider” and explore Maine and the nation’s newest public lands before and after the event. Organizers have posted suggested trips including hikes, paddles, bike rides, and drives throughout the monument.

Friends staff and board members, National Park Service staff, as well as local business owners and community members will be sharing remarks in a short speaking program on Saturday evening. In the midst of the speaking program, Friends will also be presenting three awards. Receiving awards for Excellence in Volunteerism will be Candace McKellar of Sherman and MaryAlice Mowry of Millinocket. The award for Outstanding Public Service will go to Julie Isbill, Rivers & Trails Project Manager at National Park Service and a former detailee at the monument. And the Conservation Colleague award will go to the Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce.

The event is being supported by an impressive group of sponsors and individuals from around Maine and the Katahdin Region. The Bangor Daily News has published promotions in its print and online publications to help drive visitation to the event, the monument, and the surrounding communities. Graphic design for the event was done by a local sponsor, Millinocket-based designlab. Natural Resources Council of Maine, integral to the effort to designate the national monument, has continued their support as a sponsor at the event. Local sponsors, including New England Outdoor Center, Katahdin Trust, and others businesses are supporting the weekend’s festivities with proceeds benefiting various programming of the friends to attract and support park visitors, improve park infrastructure, and encourage revitalization efforts of the region.

Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization made up of individuals and businesses who are committed to the mission to preserve and protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and distinctive cultural resources of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of all generations. To become a member or to learn more, go to www.friendsofkww.org.

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Trip Report: Mountain Bike Loop to Big Spring Brook Hut

Two weeks ago, I brought my hard-charging, forever Mainer, now Coloradoan sister Elsa up north for a mountain bike trip through the heart of the monument. After weeks of planning and anticipation, we rented bikes in Bangor and parked at Bowlin Camps, which sits across the East Branch of the Penobscot towards the north end of the monument’s main parcel. The camps’ caretakers Terry and Dave let us park overnight for $10 and offered a last-minute acquisition of some extra bug spray they happened to buy that morning.

We had charted a two-day loop that would take us to the Big Spring Brook Hut for the night and then back round to Bowlin Camps. Readying ourselves just after lunch, we made some quick notes about our path on our map and then set out. We crossed the Bowlin Suspension Bridge and biked up a short hill (full disclosure: Elsa biked, I dismounted for the first of many hills). At the top of the hill, we took a right onto the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) and then a left soon after to get onto the K Comp Rd, continuing onto the IAT again, and then on the K Comp Rd until we hit Little Messer Pond Rd. It was muggy and buggy, but once the wind got whipping past us on our bikes we could enjoy blue skies and clear air.

The terrain unfolded before us like a study in contrasts: steeps and flats, foliage and clear skies, empty roads and thick underbrush. I hadn’t been mountain biking since I was 12, and my sister, being both my eternal elder and a mountain biker trained in the mile-high air of the Colorado Rockies, whooped me on just about any terrain we encountered.

After a scare following a false fork in the path, we stopped to establish a good system of checking in. There were two reasons to be making occasional stops: my lungs were folding inside out and trail crossings on less maintained trails can be very deceptive. This trip would not have been possible without the Map Adventures recreational map (which is available to new and renewing Friends members through the end of this year). It shows detailed mile markings and gives you a sense of what trails to take and which not to take – which, in parts of the monument where there isn’t much signage, is crucial. Roads that are defunct or not on the map may look inviting. And sometimes the roads that are in use might be grown in. Crossing the Big Spring Brook on our second day, we hit a wall of five-foot-tall saplings. Deep in the heart of the monument and in the thick of summer, you can’t always rely on following trodden paths.

Once we hit the Little Messer Pond Rd we took a left, where we found well-worn, established road. This road is used by humans and animals alike, although I’d wager you’re more likely to see a moose than a park service truck. Elsa, afraid of startling a moose or a bear and inviting their jilted ire, made sure to clear the path by yelling greetings to the creatures in the woods ahead. There was no shortage of evidence that they were near – scat of all shapes and sizes showed they were well fed and on the move.

After the ups and downs of the northward trail so, we enjoyed some long, sweeping downhills along the Little Messer Pond Rd. After crossing several brooks and streams, we came to the leftward turnoff for Big Spring Brook Hut. At the hut, we dropped our packs and settled in. We had heard the propane was out, but were delighted to find that the tanks had been switched by Mark Adams from Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (the non-profit led by Lucas St. Clair that was a leading force in the establishment of the monument). We could bike to a sunset vista up at the nearby Lookout and know we’d be returning to some hot grub.

From the Big Spring Brook Hut path, we took a left and stayed on the Little Messer Pond Rd until we hit the Lookout Trail on our right. We threw the bikes into the lowest gear and made the slow ascent, stopping only to eat some raspberries and to consider forks in the trail. About a mile up the Lookout Trail, we took the first left. There are a few forks leading left after the first one. Ignore all but the first. Eventually, the road gets washed out and winds into the woods. When the path got thin and the trees tight, we left our bikes. There was zero worry about theft up there – we hadn’t seen another human all day.

We walked 15 minutes through the slowly darkening woods and then made the view. There’s a helmet there, perched above exposed granite. It commemorates Jerome “El Dorado” Haynes, the trail master for the Traveler Mountain Snowmobile Club who originally built the Lookout Trail. El Dorado’s helmet looks out over a stunning panorama, showcasing the peaks, streams, and valleys of the monument, Traveler Mountain, and Mt. Katahdin off to the southwest. We luxuriated for a while, eating some peak blueberries and enjoying the view until we realized the sun was setting quickly. After the long, slow ascent up to the Lookout, we were rewarded with a ripping run back downhill.

An aside here about optimal mountain bike tire size. Elsa and I rented two types of mountain bikes, which allowed for some good A/B testing. Between my front-suspension bike with regular gauge tires and Elsa’s fat tire bike without suspension, there was a clear winner. In almost every area we biked, the fat-tire bike seemed to be performing better. It was less jilted by rocks and roots and seemed steadier on uphills and downhills alike.

Back at the hut, I took a dip down in the Big Spring Brook. The water’s cold, somehow feels like snowmelt even in the middle of July – just what I was looking for. I submerged my whole body and felt the aching muscles give up their knots. Elsa prepared some delicious pesto pasta and sausage. With a raging trail hunger, we quickly dispatched a few servings each. The sun was well below the horizon, so we lit the kerosene lamp and chatted until an early bed-time.

In the morning, we woke to the pitter-patter of rain. We filled our water bottles with water from the brook, boiled then cooled overnight. The second day and second half of the trip’s loop was much more forgiving than the first. The morning starts left along the Little Messer Pond Rd uphill past the Lookout Trail until you hit a hard left down the Keyhole Road. Along the Keyhole Road, it’s almost entirely downhill. The ground was slick so we took it a bit slow but still enjoyed carving along the double track of the once-driven road. We took frequent stops to consult with the map (again there were some deceptive forks) and to enjoy signs of beaver in the many ponds and streams we traversed. There’s an especially beautiful bridge crossing Big Spring Brook – mentioned previously because of the wall of saplings on its downhill side.

At the bottom of the long downhill, we turned left onto the IAT once more and made our way up gradual uphill until we hit the turnoff to head back across the East Branch of the Penobscot. Biking towards our car at Bowlin Camps, we were welcomed back by Terry and Dave, who gave a warm welcome and a friendly “I told you so” about the bug spray they had sold us. We said our goodbyes, packed up our gear, and hit the long, dusty road. Elsa dropped me off in Patten and then stayed south to Portland.

I left the trip feeling grateful for the natural beauty of the monument, the map that allowed us to explore it safely, and the sister who pushed me to my limits biking through it. The trip was equal parts enlivening and humbling. Finding myself on the brink of losing the path, or seeing paths grown in, I was often struck by the enormity of the work ahead for the National Park Service and Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. There are trails to be cut, signs to be posted, and important choices to be made about where those trails and signs lead (choices you can be a part of by attending NPS Monument Planning Meetings). Before then, there are guides to be written and reports to be shared. I hope this report has given you a good sense of how to navigate this trip yourself. Should you like to enjoy much of the same trip without as many orienteering challenges, you can also mountain bike from the Haskell Gate down the IAT to Little Messer Pond Rd and then back along the same path. This alternative route offers clearer roads and distinct signage.

If you have any questions about the trip Elsa and I took, or any other trips you might be considering, please feel free to reach out to info@friendsofkww.org. For those interested in staying at the Big Spring Brook Hut – which is the only hut open to overnight visitors this summer – email Susan Adams at Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.

Sam Deeran, Operations & Special Projects Coordinator

Trip Report: Paddle Down the East Branch of the Penobscot from Matagamon to Bowlin Camps

Story and photos by Andrew Bossie, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters

My partner, Gary, and I decided to run the East Branch of the Penobscot River during the weekend of June 16th and 17th. I recently joined the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters as its inaugural Executive Director and we planned this trip to get to know one of the three waterways that can be paddled in our new national monument and to give me some whitewater training. In a former life, Gary was an instructor for Outward Bound as well as the Boy Scouts; he’s paddled this stretch of river more times than he can count. Back in 2013, the East Branch was the first river I had ever paddled with Gary. We were both eager to return, but we knew that the quick water, rapids, and numerous waterfalls requiring portages would test our physical and mental dexterity.

We decided to stay at Bowlin Camps, an old lodge with a series of sporting cabins on the shore of the East Branch, abutting monument lands to the west and south. Dave and his wife, Terry, manage the camps and were excellent hosts during our three-night stay. For a modest fee, Dave shuttled us from the camps up to the Matagamon Dam on both Saturday and Sunday, allowing us to run the exciting part of the river both days while enjoying the creature comforts of beds, shelter from the bugs, and even some wi-fi.

We arrived at Bowlin Camps late Friday afternoon. Jeff, the camp cook, prepared us an excellent meal of salad, lasagna, garlic bread, and the best chocolate cream pie I’ve ever had. Afterward, Gary and I headed to Bowlin Pond for a refresher on some paddling techniques and to see the sun set behind the Traveler Mountains. Bowlin Camps keeps a canoe on the pond and if you ask nicely they’ll let you use it.

Early Saturday morning we loaded up the canoe, paddles, and supplies for a day on the river. Dave dropped us off on Matagamon Lake just before the Baxter Gate, allowing us more time to practice before we headed to the dam to start our river journey. The river flowage is regulated by the Matagamon Lake Owners Association and was running at about 330 CFS (cubic feet per second) – a little low, but passable. We pushed off from below the dam on a cloudless, 78-degree day.

As we paddled under the route 159 bridge we saw several anglers wading in the water looking to hook trout and a couple of folks camped out on the shore of Matagamon Wilderness Camps. After the first mile or so of the river, we didn’t see another soul for the rest of our trip (both Saturday and Sunday). But we didn’t have to look far for signs of life; we spotted river otters, bald eagles, beavers, and even a moose along the way.  Of course, the blackflies, mosquitos, and moose flies also made unwelcome appearances, but they were mostly deterred by a stiff breeze both days.

After passing through The Oxbow, where author Henry David Thoreau and his Wabanaki guide, Joe Polis, once camped for a night in 1857, we approached Stair Falls, the first major set of rapids we would run. Some choose to portage this series of ledges, but we were up for the ride. We scouted both the upper and lower falls. The more serious lower falls are a series of ledges that can make for some bumps in low water, but we managed to successfully run them without taking much water or getting hung up. Most run this rapid river-center to just right of river-center. It’s definitely an exhilarating experience.

After passing by the Haskell Hut on river right (which you can ski to and spend a night at during the winter) and passing through Haskell Deadwater, we came to the first of four mandatory portages, Haskell Rock Pitch. After a snack, schlepping our gear, and some scouting, we were ready to run two more rapids just below the falls, Mikelic I and Mikelic II. Our planned route was to zigzag the first set of rapids, moving from river-right to river-left, and back to river-right again to avoid a number of boulders and pillows – so much for best-laid plans! As we turned the boat to river-left I felt a big bump and then the next thing I knew we were both in the river and our canoe was floating upside down at our side. Luckily, the same previously unseen rock that resulted in us dumping the boat was also providing us with a safe-harbor eddy. We managed to pull our boat up on some rocks, bailed out as much water as we could, and finished running the rapids. Aside from a couple scrapes and sunken pairs of sunglasses, we were fine. In talking with some of the locals later, we heard stories of just how serious these rapids and other spots on the river can be – those less prepared or knowledgeable haven’t fared as well.

After our swim, we made our way to Pond Pitch and a short while later the Grand Pitch. Both of these falls are mandatory portages. You can portage on either side of the river at both falls, river-right is on monument lands while river-left is privately owned. There is some quick water before and after both portages, but not rapids like the ones right after Haskell, making for a welcomed easier ride. It should be noted that both portages have some really nice campsites; there’s even a lean-to managed by the National Park Service on river-right. All of these sites, along with the falls, portages, and other helpful information, are detailed in the Map Adventures Katahdin Woods and Waters recreation map. I’d highly recommend having it before setting off on a journey in the monument. Folks that sign up to be members or renew their membership in 2018 get one of these maps as part of their membership.

Not far after Grand Pitch is The Hulling Machine, the fourth and final portage if you are pulling out at Bowlin Camps. The name comes from the time of the log drivers. Rumor has it that this waterfall is so powerful that the trunks of century-old white pines would exit the falls with their bark stripped. You can only portage this fall on river-right and, boy, is it a difficult one. The nearly half-mile portage goes uphill for a good clip and I have never seen so many mosquitos congregating in the hollow of my boat as I have on this carry. Gary and I probably switched off the canoe half a dozen times before getting back to the water. Gary told me that this portage used to make the Outward Bound students he guided cry. I can see why.

Our last leg of our river journey was down river to Bowlin Falls. You can portage this set of falls, too, but it’s much more fun to run them. We took our boat out shortly after the falls at Bowlin Camps. We prepared a campfire (Dave actually prepped the fire for us, we just had to light a match) and cooked some steaks while we enjoyed frosty cold beers.

The next morning we headed out a little later, choosing to put in just below the dam and forgo paddling on the lake. We ran the river, spending extra time scouting Mikelic I, where we bumped along and at one point got hung up on a rock, but managed to make it through with only a little water in the boat and our pride intact.

We ran the river much more quickly on Sunday. In fact, we managed to be eating dinner in our 1895 cabin (named for the year it was built) shortly after 5 pm. As we wondered what to do with ourselves that evening, Dave and Terry invited us to head out for a drive on the dirt roads of the monument just to the south of the property to scout moose and other wildlife. We managed to see five moose during our drive on roads that had us grateful for four-wheel drive and high clearance. As we drove around, I made a mental note to come back next time with mountain bikes – the dirt roads are begging to be explored by cyclists.

We slept well Sunday night after two days of paddling and portaging. We awoke on Monday to the sound of rain hitting our cabin roof and high-fived each other for having gotten the good weather during our paddle days. All told, it was a great weekend in some of the most remote and interesting waters in the state. I wouldn’t want to paddle the river with much less water, so I’d encourage folks to check the Matagamon Dam outputs prior to setting out. I’d highly recommend staying at Bowlin Camps. I left with a profound sense of gratitude and respect for the wild and beautiful public that is the East Branch, knowing that I’ll surely be back to share this treasure with others.

Andy Bossie, Executive Director

Preparations Underway for 2nd Anniversary Celebration of Maine’s National Monument 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Contact:
Andrew Bossie
Executive Director
Office: (207) 808 – 0020

Preparations Underway for 2nd Anniversary Celebration of Maine’s National Monument
This year’s festivities include new and returning sponsors as well as activities in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and the surrounding communities. 

Patten, ME — Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters released details of the 2ndAnniversary Celebration of the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument today. The celebration, presented by Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters and Maine Beer Company, will be held on August 25that Shin Pond Village in Mt. Chase, Maine.

The evening will include beer from Maine Beer Company, dinner from Patten-based Casual Elegance Caterers, and a silent auction of outdoor gear, experiences, and memorabilia. The special evening will feature a performance from the Magic Eight Ball Quartet, sponsored by The Wilderness Society. Weather permitting, guests will get the chance to experience the exceptional night skies of the area by walking a short distance from the event to telescopes and an interpretive presentation.  Tickets for the Saturday night celebration are available for $25 at www.friendsofkww.org/anniversary.

“Interest in our national monument continues to grow and we’re eager to share the unique natural, recreational, and cultural aspects of our new public lands with more people,” said Andrew Bossie, Executive Director of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. “As we celebrate two years since the designation of the monument, we’re growing the number of partnerships and offering more activities that lift up the monument and the communities of the Katahdin Region.”

Maine-based outdoor retailer, L.L. Bean, is sponsoring activities that encourage attendees to “Be an Outsider” and explore Maine and the nation’s newest public lands before and after the event. Organizers have posted suggested trips including hikes, paddles, bike rides, and drives throughout the monument. Visitors are also urged to support the surrounding communities by booking local accommodations and shopping at area businesses. During the weekend, attendees of the anniversary can visit the Patten Lumberman’s museum to learn about the rich logging history of the region. Attendees can also visit North Light Gallery in Millinocket to meet local painters who will be displaying recently produced Plein Air works showcasing the natural beauty of Katahdin Woods and Waters.

Host and sponsorship benefits are available to interested individuals and businesses. Patagonia is hosting a private reception for hosts and sponsors Friday evening at Mt Chase Lodge. Proceeds from the anniversary celebration will benefit the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters in their efforts to protect, preserve, and promote the monument and the communities of the Katahdin Region.

The Bangor Daily News has agreed to sponsor the event through promotions in its print and online publications to help drive visitation to the event, the monument, and the surrounding communities.

Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization made up of individuals and businesses who are committed to the mission to preserve and protect the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality and distinctive cultural resources of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of all generations. To become a member or to learn more, go to www.friendsofkww.org.

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