2023 Sept : Allagash River – Allagash Maine Photos

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This trip took place in Sept of 23 and I just now (Feb 25) realized I never posted my pictures. So here they are and a synopsis of this 5 day, 50+ mile solo trip. I remember how nice a week it was, cool and sunny all week, couldn’t have asked for any better weather.

The Allagash River is in Maine and is one of the few rivers that flows north in America. It is also the last leg of the NFCT (Northern Forrest Canoe Trail), which a goal of mine is to complete the entire trail; even if only by sections. The trail is 740 miles long, starting in Old Forge New York and ending in Fort Kent Maine. This trip starts on map 13 of the trail maps (the last of the maps) and ends 27 miles shy of Fort Kent.

First I needed to get there from my home in Virginia. I have a in-laws that live in northern New York state, fairly close to Canada. So off I went stopping with them for a night, then off to Maine by way of Canada. The end of my trip is on the Canadian border in Allagash NY. I spent the 1st night of the “trip” at Pelletrier’s camp ground in St Francis.

Pelletier’s Camp Ground looking north west into Canada, across the St. Johns river.

Just looking the opposite direction, north east.

Day 1

Up at 6am (early for me), to catch a ride to the start of the adventure. This entailed moving the canoe to the taxi vehicle, move my car to the end point of the adventure. Register at the Little Black check point, pay the appropriate fees and then a 5 hour drive to Umsaskis lake. The ride is along logging roads and they aren’t the best roads, so it was not a fast ride. Had a nice conversation with the drier, saw a few moose (the moose season was just starting) and saw a few other vehicles going in to hunt so it was pleasant Sunday ride.

The trip is along the Allagash River from Umsaskis Lake to Allagash NY. As I said earlier, this is one of only a few rivers that flow North in America. The water level was great, just upriver (south of here) there is a dam and they had a release earlier on this first day of my trip. I didn’t notice how the flow may have changed, never being here before. However, I did bottom out at times through the trip, but nothing serious, as long as you read the river correctly you can avoid bottoming out.

Some of the wildlife I saw on the water; Loon.

A quick check of where I need to get to, and a calculation of time it will take.

Note the packs in the stern, to offset my weight in the bow, paddling backwards.

First camp as well as the first portage.

Sites are well laid out and you must camp in the designated camp sites (first come first serve).

It looks like running this is a possibility, but you are advised not to. Because this being the remains of an old dam, there are spikes underwater that may puncture your canoe. Read everything, do your homework and talk to everyone so you are prepared and informed prior to any trip.

Day 2

Must have had some condensation in the GoPro waterproof case. It gives that foggy outline.

A sign of civilization, there is a launch on the right just past the bridge. This bridge is part of the logging road system.

This tree has eluded the Dutch Elm disease.

Entering Round Pond the wind had kicked up. I tried paddling from the middle of the canoe.

When that failed; it was get in the bow, face forward and let the wind keep you straight.

Respite, not the site I had in mind but for now it will do.

These folks came from the site I was hoping for (it was too wet for them). They moved on to put space between us.

Once the wind died down – off to my target site (dead ahead).

Site was VERY wet, NO dry place to set a tent. The hammock made this site a possibility.

As I stated above this site had water running everywhere. However, I saw that a trail I wanted to hike started here that went to a fire tower. I took off asap after getting there, and walked, but it started to get dark so I turned around. Later I found out, I was within a hundred yards of the tower when I turned around. In defense of that decision; it did get darker than I liked on the way down.

There was a trail to a fire tower, I wanted to walk.

Day 3

Mostly class I and II rapids. Nothing challenging on this trip.

During low water these would be scraping the canoe.

But mostly the water was flat and reflective.

The current was strong which helped move me along.

End of another day – Looking North (down river)

Looking upriver – South. Just feels counter intuitive to say that.

Day 4

There are a few ranger stations along the Allagash waterway, that they require you check-in at. In this way they have an idea where you are should they need to contact you. We talked for a short while; canoe types, this week’s weather conditions, fishing etc.. This is when I found out how close to the fire tower I was.

These folks check your permits, licenses and check your well being…

Time to start paying attention. Rangers warned to be aware.

2nd and last portage. This one is a must!

This is what I needed to be aware of, a 40 foot drop.

Day 5

A bit of fog – not near as bad as on Round Pond.

I was told to look for a big brown house with bent weather vanes, to get to my car.

You can get to Two Rivers Lunch and the museum from the river. I knew I was close to my destination so I passed here and drove to it. Unfortunately the museum wasn’t open; lunch was great though.

I drove from the restaurant to Fort Kent to stay the night since it wasn’t a short drive back to my sister-in-law’s. I took a quick look at the park in Fort Kent that ends the NFCT, and didn’t think to get a picture. Oh well. Here is a picture of the start of Route 1 which is just out front of my hotel in Fort Kent.

To think that route 1 was once the only way to travel the east coast. I like it better than the current 95 as there is so much to see and places to visit.

So tomorrow it is a drive back to Peru NY and a visit with my family, before returning to Virginia.

Thanks for following my trip. I had many more than these 82 pictures of this trip, but felt I could only bore you but so much. It was great reliving such a pleasant float.