Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a river distance of 100 miles. There are numerous campsites, logging-era
relics and natural wonders to visit along the way. Because there are only
unimproved paper company roads the vehicle shuttle alone can take a
day or more. Many paddlers hire local folks to do the shuttle for them. A
complete description of the waterway can be found on pages 454-456.
The Allagash is not a grueling whitewater challenge, but rather a series
of paddling challenges that test the skill and judgement of any paddler.
With prime conditions, the entire trip can be done in a week. At the be-
ginning there is a series of very large lakes where winds can keep parties
pinned down for days at a time. Numerous shorter trips are possible. The
large lakes can be avoided by putting in at Churchill Lake, although pur-
ists will insist that to do the river without the large lakes is to miss half
the charm.
DID YOU KNOW?
Churchill Lake's Indian name
was Allagas-kwigamook, which is translated to mean
“bark cabin lake.” From that Native American name
the entire waterway gets its moniker.
Float planes
based out of Greenville, Millinocket or Shin Pond near Pat-
ten can be hired to drop you at almost any point along the way and pick
you up at an appointed day and time.
Chase Rapids
, which begin at the newly-rebuilt Churchill Dam, are a
fun Class I and Class II romp. For those worried about getting gear wet, a
ranger will shuttle the wannigan from the dam to the end of the fast wa-
ter for a slight fee, allowing you to run light, empty, and just relax and
have fun. Often the stronger portions of the rapids can be avoided by run-
ning river left or river right.
Below Chase Rapids the river becomes wide and comparatively shallow
and is interspersed with several long, narrow lakes. Riffles and fast wa-
ter are rare, with the exception of an old dam at Long Lake.
The only truly unrunnable section is
Allagash Falls
, a jagged 35-foot drop that
should be approached with great caution.
There is a well-defined portage trail and sev-
eral attractive campsites at the base.
