Bowlin Falls will not overwhelm you if you have successfully negotiated the rapids upstream, Stay right of the ledge which reaches into the river from the left bank. Let Katahdin Outfitters be your one source stop for a high adventure float trip on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. The West Branch drains approximately 2,000 sq. Box 251 Patten, Maine 04765, Phone: (207) 267-0884 Email: info@bowlincamps.com, Landlocked Salmon - Brook Trout - Small Mouth Bass. Just below Bowlin Falls is Bowlin Camps, an active sporting complex since 1895. The plan was to paddle from Grand Lake Matagamon on the East Branch Penobscot, down through a series of unrunnable falls and runnable rapids up to class IV, ending at Medway. It runs for over half a mile in length, contains an abundance of heavy rapids with hugh waves, many of which are likely to enter your canoe uninvited and is runnable by experts only (which you will be by the time you get here, right? The complete Penobscot River canoe trip begins at Old Roll Dam and flows into Chesuncook Lake ending at the south end near Old Chesuncook Dam. Shortly after is Grand Lake Matagamon. This privacy policy (the "Privacy Policy") discloses the information gathering and dissemination practices for this website. This website is owned and operated, or operated under agreement, by: The 2:20 Companies, Inc. 5773 Woodway, Suite 162 Houston, TX 77057. It drains 8570 square miles of land. By visiting our site or sending us information, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy. This is one of Maine's truly classic trips. Rafting trips are offered daily in season on the Penobscot (Class 1 – 5 Rapids) and Kennebec Rivers (Class 1 – 4 rapids), and on large release dates on the Dead River. The East Branch of the Penobscot Lakes such as Seboomook, Chesuncook and Pemadumcook are located along its course. The unnavigable waterfalls and rough pitches must be carried. Day 1 Met our shuttle at Maine Quest Adventures in Medway Maine at 8:00. We may also (and you authorize us to) disclose personal information about you to credit agencies, collection agencies, and/or merchant database agencies, as we deem necessary We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under the age of 13, nor do we knowingly distribute such information. We automatically collect certain information from visitors to, the site, such as Internet addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring and exit page, operating system, timestamps, and clickstream data. We cannot ensure that all of your private communications and other personally identifiable information will never be disclosed in ways not otherwise described in this Privacy Policy. Let the river do the work. Moreover, the four portages become burdensome not so much because of their length as for the proximity to one another. Portages, rapids, campsites, and other information important to canoeists are included, along with a historical overview of the region. The Penobscot River is ideal for the beginning canoeist as no rapids or portaging needs to be done. The Penobscot River, including its north, south, east, and west branches, is the longest river entirely in Maine. See a National Park Service map of the region here. The company does share or use personally identifiable information for any other purposes. ). Grand Pitch is a mandatory 1/2 mile portage. Should you wish to discontinue receiving these e-mailings simply unsubscribe using the link in the email you receive. But it soon returns to its more natural rapid state and passes Bowlin Falls, a Class II-III drop. The river can be accessed from the NFCT via Telos Lake, Webster Lake, Webster Stream and Grand Lake Matagamon. Lots of flatwater, very nice casual paddle. Story and photos by Andrew Bossie, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters. Directions to Katahdin Outfitters Base Camp. If you pay for anything on our site using a credit or debit card, we collect the personal information needed to complete the transaction. Box 251 Patten, ME 04765. East Branch of the Penobscot River. The river descends through spectacular scenery in a remote region east of Baxter State Park with imposing waterfalls and demanding rapids, interspersed with flat stretches of prime wildlife habitat. Below the deadwater, on the right is the first of four portages at Haskell Rock Pitch. The river follows a course through the Oxbow. We also track and analyze non-identifying and aggregate usage and volume statistical information from our visitors and customers. Farther downstream the river passes through some ledges and it is probably very deep here because the current hardly moves. The East Branch then passes through Grand Lake Matagamon and heads south, flowing over four more large waterfalls and joining the West Branch. 3 days There is a dam at the outlet of Grand Lake Matagamon. The East Branch Penobscot River is a 75.3-mile long river southeast of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and part of the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Be sure you carry out all that you carry in here. The 14-mile trip from Grand Lake Matagamon to Bowlin camps demands experience and skill, but it offers incomparable scenery particularly as the river descends through the Grand Falls region. For example, we may disclose information to the government or third parties under certain circumstances, or third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications. The easy rapids below Stair Falls lead to Haskell Deadwater. A beautiful river to canoe or kayak, this river has miles of fast water as well as dead water. You can plan a trip during any but the driest of summers. The East Branch of the Penobscot River is one of Maine’s best kept paddling secrets. We use an unaffiliated, credit card processing company to process your payment. We use the information that we collect to provide our services, fulfill any purchase you may have made, send you our newsletter, contact you regarding new promotions, and to improve our site. Bowlin Camps Lodge Bowlin Camp Rd T5,R8, Maine orMailing Address: P.O. Then Hal started talking about this dam-controlled river up by Medway on the I-95 called the East Branch of the Penobscot. Stair Falls is a succession of shallow ledge drops, ranging in height up too two feet and resembling a low flight of stairs. To Medway Public Boat Launch: From Exit 244 on I-95 travel west on ME-157 for 1.5 miles.Take the first right hand turn after crossing the bridge over the East Branch of the Penobscot. The East Branch has been a popular river for recreational canoe trips since Maine's first ecotourist, H. D. Thoreau, described his guided excursion down the East Branch in "The Maine Woods" (1864). It is formed at the junction of the West Branch (famous for its landlocked salmon fishing) and the East Branch near the village of Medway, Maine. The river is also known as Abocadneticook [3] ( Abenaki for "stream narrowed by mountains" [4] ), Kahgognamock , and Kettegwewick … Try going solo in a ducky (inflatable kayak) on the Seboomook section of the Penobscot River, Lower Kennebec River and the East Branch of the Kennebec River. Log drives ended (based primarily on environmental concerns) in the 1970s, after which the timber companies relied on trucking and a network of private roads they started to build in the 1950s. Class II and III, several hardy portages around waterfalls, a bit of Canada in Maine. If we change our practices in the future, we will obtain prior, verifiable parental consent before collecting any personally identifiable information from children under the age of 13. We take measures to prevent the loss, misuse, and alteration of your information by carefully limiting access to the database in which your personal information is stored. Today the area is ideal for Grouse Hunting and you will see many ducks on the river in early spring. Includes Class 1 - III rapids. The East Branch of the Penobscot River flows southward from Grand Lake Matagamon, just to the east of Baxter State Park (see regional map). It is 8.25 miles down lake to the Daml or take out at a landing near the north entrance to Baxter State Park. This was the first time rafting for our family of 5 (mom, dad, and 3 daughters, 17, 15, and 12), and I can't recommend this tour enough. East Branch of the Penobscot River: riffles to class Vs. The East Branch of the Penobscot River and its major tributaries served as a thoroughfare for huge log drives headed toward Bangor. Your privacy is very important to us. After the uniting of the West Branch with the East Branch at Medway), the Penobscot flows 109 miles (175 km) south, past the city of Bangor, where it becomes navigable Also at Bangor is the tributary Kenduskeag Stream . That name, incidentally, is a variation of an Indian word meaning the old, exhausted lake. But of all the falls not to tamper with, Grand Pitch should head the list. You can opt-out and decide not to provide the requested personal information. Visit Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail online for more information or contact: This is your stopping point. Below Pond Pitch favor the left side of the river. This information includes your name, card number, and other necessary information, all of which is clearly labeled on the form you use to submit payment. The East Branch is better known for the bronze backed small mouth bass than it is known for the trout. Be sure to stop below the falls and look upstream to see how appropriately they were named. Penobscot Adventures Whitewater Rafting is a Millinocket, Maine white water rafting outfitter. This second map in the Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail Map series (click here to see the first map in the series) details the East Branch of the Penobscot River. If you're not comfortable running light Class III rapids take the portage trail along the left bank. Some rapids require scouting and portaging. We want to make your experience on the Internet as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, and we want you to use the Internet's vast array of information, tools, and opportunities with complete confidence. The main stem, which the Penobscot River Paddling Trail covers, is just over 100 miles of mostly wild, scenic, and rural land. To Grindstone Falls put-in: The Grindstone Falls hand-carry boat launch is located at the Grindstone Falls Rest Area on ME-11, 9 miles north of Medway and 16 miles south of Sherman. The personal information we collect includes your name and e-mail address. This merger forms the Penobscot River, which then flows southward to Penobscot Bay. We will respond to your request to access, update, or delete your information within ten (10) business days. When submitting any information on our website you expressly authorize us to use your personal information as explained in this privacy policy, and you consent to receiving commercial email from us. The occasional logins, (outreaching arms of the river), provide superb wildlife habitats. Meadows and hardwoods line the banks and mountain views, (Traveler and her neighbors). The icing on the cake here is the exceptionally scenic setting. Below Grand Lake Matagomon, the river is wide and easier to access. The East Branch of the Penobscot River drains the region north and northeast of Mt Katahdin. They are rated Class II + and run the quarter of a mile to Pond Pitch, the second of the major falls. The West Branch Penobscot River is a 117-mile-long (188 km) tributary of the Penobscot River through the North Maine Woods in Maine. Portages, rapids, campsites, and other information important to canoeists are included, along with a historical overview of Thoreau’s journey. River flow data for the Upper West Branch of the Penobscot River. The East Branch is becoming more popular each year so be prepared to meet some river traffic, possibly one to three groups per week. No crowds and lots of scenery. This descent must have approximated an automatic log debarking process. The population was 4, 506 at the 2010 census. We will notify you of changes to our Privacy Policy by posting the new policy on this website. This comes on our last day on the East Branch, at a spot called "Grindstone Falls". The portage trail around Grand Pitch is reached from the left bank. We use this information to resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, and enforce our customer agreements. The whitewater between them requires proficiency in technical maneuvering as well as swift decision-making. We came with two Old Town boats. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received personally identifiable information from someone under the age of 13, we will delete such information from our records. You'll also see some lovely mountain views. We also offer water front cabin rentals, and an on-site inn and restaurant. Because of the rapid succession of waterfalls and pitches geologists refer to this portion of the Each Branch as the Grand Falls Formation. The Penobscot River - East and West Branch. East Branch of the Penobscot River – Canoeing and Kayaking Challenging and Spectacular Rapids By Stephen L. Priest September 11 – 15, 2003 Introduction It was an unseasonably warm September day in northern Maine as we drove to the unorganized territory of Township 6 … East Branch of the Penobscot — 4-7 days - Telos Lake - Webster Stream to Lake Matagamon and East Branch Penobscot River to Whetstone Falls (intermediate and advanced). The amount of water flowing depends on the releases from the dam and obviously can vary a good deal. The eddy at the end of the portage trail affords a fine view of the waterfall above. This rapid is created by a moderately narrow gorge and is normally class III to III+. They are rated Class II + and run the quarter of a mile to Pond Pitch, the second of the major falls. This is a fairly difficult but splendid river. There are scores of routes through the ledges. However, by doing so, you will not receive the information, product, and/or service you are requesting. This privacy policy is effective as of June 10, 2010. It is a much more pronounced ledge drop then Haskell Rock Pitch, but is less than Grand Pitch, only three quarters of a mile downstream. A waterproof, full-color map of the East Branch of the Penobscot River is available from The University of Maine Press. For a less demanding trip start at Bowlin Camps. Five miles below the dam, and shortly after a broad lake-like opening, the banks narrow somewhat and the nature of the river changes. The Penobscot is Maine’s largest river, and the second largest in New England. The trip starts at the bridge below the dam. It offers impressive scenery, abundant wildlife, and great fishing from early spring to late summer. miles in Somerset, Piscataquis, and Penobscot counties. Your assent to these practices is essential for us to continue operating this website, including the variety of information and services it contains. Walk back to see the strong eddies, steep pitches, river sculpturing, and the fossils of this region. We can (and you authorize us to) disclose any information about you to law enforcement or other government officials as we, in our sole discretion, believe necessary or appropriate in connection with an investigation of wrongful conduct. website by BGR web, Canoe camping, Penobscot River, East Branch, Bald Eagle, East Branch Penobscot River canoe trip, Common Mergansers, East Branch of the Penobscot River, Moose on the East Branch of the Penobscot River, Cooking over an open fire, Penobscot River, Maine, Portaging around 1 of 4 waterfalls, East Branch Penobscot River, Grand Lake Matagamon to Whetstone Falls, 27 miles, 3 days, Grand Lake Matagamon to Grindstone Falls, 38 miles, 4 days. By Grand Pitch, the third falls and carry, the novelty of carrying wears off. The Indians found little or no food in their hunts. The river starts at Matagamon Lake about 13 miles north of Bowlin Camps Lodge. You can expect to receive newsletters, promotions, and other similar offers. One was a 15'8" Discovery and the other was a 17' model. They dubbed the lake unfit for use. Penobscot River Adventures - Canoe and Kayak Trips. (more about Webster Stream trips) Penobscot River – East Branch. Portage right at the Hulling Machine to the foot of this steep, rough pitch. It is a vertical drop of more than 20 feet. Carry Pond Pitch on the left, and look over the falls, a multi-stage 10-foot pitch. Other personal information that you submit is clearly labeled at the time you submit it. This information is logged to help diagnose technical problems, and to administer our site so that we can constantly improve it. Linger a while to savor the scenery; this is where you'll begin to appreciate the privilege of traveling the East Branch. Rocks and ledge abound as you descend through the gentle rips above Stair Falls. The rapids below Haskell Rock Pitch are characteristic of all rapids between the falls of the East Branch. It will keep the area as scenic as it's been for the last several thousand years. Anything you send us, post on our site, or use with our service, such as blog postings or videos, or if others send us anything about your activities or postings, we may collect such information into a file specific to you. The West Branch is a high quality large volume white water river which contains significant Class V … The last 12 miles of rapids end at the take out near Pockwockamus Falls. Trailhead Information. Don't attempt to paddle it during high water levels when the currents are strong and the falls unforgiving. E. Branch Penobscot River from the Bowlin Camps: A 1 - 3 day river trip along the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Mailing AddressBowlin Camps Lodge P.O. The native Penobscot Indians have been paddling these waters since time immemorial and in 1857, a Penobscot guide named Joe Polis led Henry David Thoreau down the East Branch. The mainstem of the Penobscot is a very large river (average width 75-150 yards) which maintains an adequate flow for float fishing throughout the summer. Starting Point: Grand Lake Matagamon Ending Point: Medway, Maine. This section has 4 portages. Carry a third of a mile over a good trail around the falls. On the river, our thoughts belonged to the moment and our companions, but writing now, I’m humbled to think of the peoples whose paths we followed. Bangor/Brewer is the only urban stretch of river. The rapids below Haskell Rock Pitch are characteristic of all rapids between the falls of the East Branch. ... Amazing day on the river! Bowlin Camps is within a few miles of the last carry. Haskell Rock which stands alone halfway down the falls shows the wear and tear of the river pounding it over the years. Before we are able to provide you with any information, correct any inaccuracies, or delete any information, however, we may ask you to verify your identity. Review our Privacy Policy regularly so that you can stay informed of our practices, as they may change in the future. Similarly, we need you to provide accurate personal information so that you can be contacted and, if you purchase anything, so that we can complete the transaction. The Penobscot has been explored and written about for well over 150 years. Haskell Rock Pitch, named for its distinctive rock in the middle of the river, is one of four rapids that must be portaged around when canoeing the upper East Branch of the Penobscot River. The next 2 miles to Grand Pitch has several rapids that can be paddled or carried.