[Soulfrk]

I'm trying to plan a trip for this summer, and need some suggestions. Here is my 'vision'

A remote campsite that is only accessible by kayak. We paddle out on friday set up camp. Fish all day on saturday, camp Saturday night paddle out on Sunday.

The musts; Remote/back country type campsite. Limited to no powerboats. Good fishing.

Suggestions?

[3/4 time]

How far are you willing to travel? Anywhere in the North Maine Woods would give you just what you're looking for. Grab a DeLorme Atlas, most of the campsites are marked. Even at the height of the summer season you won't run into a lot of people. For a longer trip kayak the Allagash, or the West Branch of the Penobscot. You could get a campsite along a river or lake that feeds into a river. There are endless possibilities. You can put together you're own trip for whatever length of time you choose.
If you're looking for an island site, try Gero Island on Chesuncook Lake or Thoreau Island on Eagle Lake Some research online a a few phone calls, to North Maine Woods or a local outfitter will help answer questions.
My son and I have spent three weeks each of the past two summers on the Allagash and in the North Maine Woods. Follow the rules and you can go just about anywhere you like.

[Soulfrk]

3/4 time, on Mar 23 2009, 10:38 AM, said:

How far are you willing to travel? Anywhere in the North Maine Woods would give you just what you're looking for. Grab a DeLorme Atlas, most of the campsites are marked. Even at the height of the summer season you won't run into a lot of people. For a longer trip kayak the Allagash, or the West Branch of the Penobscot. You could get a campsite along a river or lake that feeds into a river. There are endless possibilities. You can put together you're own trip for whatever length of time you choose.
If you're looking for an island site, try Gero Island on Chesuncook Lake or Thoreau Island on Eagle Lake Some research online a a few phone calls, to North Maine Woods or a local outfitter will help answer questions.
My son and I have spent three weeks each of the past two summers on the Allagash and in the North Maine Woods. Follow the rules and you can go just about anywhere you like.

That is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks!

[dudley]

Many of the Maine Public Reserves have free remote campsites
Not all of them in the North Woods either

http://www.maine.gov...arch/index.html

[Soulfrk]

Do you need a reservation for camping on Gero Island? Do the sites fill up fast?

Thanks for the link Dudley, great resource.

[Andrew]

I'm loving this thread. I think I will do the same thing this year.

[3/4 time]

All the campsites in the North Maine Woods are first-come-first-serve. I've never had trouble finding one. The sites closest to the entry gates fill up first, maybe people don't want to go to far. Only three times on the Allagash in 8 days did we run into people during the month of August (2 years ago) and two of those times were Churchill Dam and Michaud Farm. We never had trouble finding a campsite. Around Moosehead there were plenty of sites, however, up around Allagash Lake we did run into people last August (but sill found a place to camp). There were also campers in the Gulf Hagas area last August, but still available sites. Check out www.northmainewoods.org for rules and regs. There is a fee to enter the North Maine Woods, but the area is huge. You can get away from people in there even in August. You want to make sure you have a good spare tire and a jack board just in case and if you plan your trip well you won't need to bring along a gas can. I only needed the four-wheel drive a couple of times, if you don't have it don't drive into those questionable areas. Watch out for the logging trucks, they have the right-of-way. The wide ones (14 feet) can run you off the road and they move fast. Be careful on blind corners and always get off the road as best you can when one is heading toward you. If you do a little homework, you'll find the place you want. It is remote, beautiful, packed with wildlife and you'll really be on your own.

[Soulfrk]

I picked up the gazetteer, and after speaking with some friends I think we are leaning towards Allagash Lake, I heard if you can catch the Hatch in June the fishing is outstanding.

Any suggestions on how to get to the lake? Best I can tell it looks like a long bumpy drive (50+ miles) then a mile or two walk in to the southeast corner.

Kayaks plus Camping/Fishing Gear, we'd be looking about 100lbs per boat give or take. That'll make for a really long walk.

Thanks again for the info everyone.

Z

[3/4 time]

One of the great things about Allagash Lake is its inaccessibility. Last summer we flew into Johnson Pond and canoed from there to the lake. We climbed Allagash Mountain, but before we did we stopped at the ranger's cabin which is at the trail head. We paid our camping fee and sat for a chat. He explained to us that only recently are you able to reach the lake overland (or water). There are three primary ways. The first and most frequently used you have discovered - coming up from the south. I'm told there is a parking area there. Another is to kayak over from Chamberlain Lake, but your going against the flow on Allagash Stream. That's not really such a big deal as it is with two exceptions quiet water. You'd have to portage around Little Allagash Falls. We were there in August. The water is probably higher in June and maybe this isn't a good option.
The third way in is to put into Allagash Stream off Narrow Pond Rd, you'll see it on your map. We talked with a couple of people that had done this and is wasn't a big deal. That end of Allagash Stream is flat water with a slow current running toward the lake. We paddled it both ways no problem.
There is also a small parking area (2 cars) on the south side of Johnson Pond. You can put in there and paddle up to Allagash Stream. The stream that connects Johnson Pond with Allagash Stream is in places overgrown with adlers and some of the corners get a little tight. There is a beaver dam close the where Johnson Pond Stream enters Allagash Stream that you'll have to portage, but it is an easy one.
We carried probably 150 pounds of gear in a 17 foot canoe and were able to maneuver the stream out of Johnson Pond, but with some difficulty.
One idea might be to build a little trolly or cart on oversized wheels that you can put your loaded kayak(s) on and push them up from the south of Allagash Lake. Once you hit the lake the rangers cabin is a quick paddle to your left and you can probably leave your trolly there, or right at the end of the trail. People are respectful of others property.
Like all those big lakes up there when the wind gets cranking out of the northwest you can get stuck in camp. We fought our way through some vicious wind and water over on Eagle Lake the year before. We won't be doing that again.
Allagash Lake is big and there are no motorized boats allowed, except for the ranger who had a motor on his giant canoe. One thing to beware of is that in that neck of the woods water that is not flowing, like in a river or stream, is very likely to be populated with leeches. Allagash lake is. I had to scrap them off my leg after a swim. If you get them quick before they get firmly attached it fine. The dragon flys are huge, (biggest I've ever seen) but they eat mosquitoes. You'll want plenty of dragon flys in June.
I've attached a picture of my son on top of Allagash Mtn with Allagash Lake in the background and a picture of us working our way through Johnson Pond Stream to give you an idea of how it is a bit overgrown.

Attached thumbnail(s)

• 
• 

[fishmonger]

I've spent a good amount of time in Northern ME, but have never ventured into the Allagash. Something I've talked about doing for a solid 5-6 years now. Good buddy of mine lives in Portland and goes for a week every summer. There's just something special about an area that is as vast and untouched as the Great North Woods, I've never been anywhere quite like it.

By the way, has anyone caught the series American Loggers on Discovery? I watched a bunch of episodes last night, had never seen it before. It's like Ax Men on the History Channel, only it's based out of Millinocket. Brought back a lot of memories of dodging huge logging trucks on Golden Road

[3/4 time]

I watched a couple of of those American Logger shows Friday night too. We were in the Allagash at the same time that they filmed some of those episodes last summer. It was about as wet and muddy as I've ever seen. After being soaked with rain, pounded by thunder and blinded by lightening for a week we found a spot a Little Lyford for three days just to get under a roof and dry out. It was pricey, but we had about had it. After those three days we ventured up the Greenville Rd onto the Golden Rd and wandered for another week (Telos/Baxter) until the rains sent us home.

I have to agree. The Allagash is one special place.

[Soulfrk]

10 days and counting. been looking forward to this trip since March.

My fly casting is coming along too, I even caught a trout a couple of days ago!... I hope it doesn't take me another 2 years to get one on the line.

[Andrew]

sweet man. Mine is in like 25 days.. and counting..

[Soulfrk]

Andrew, on Jun 9 2009, 10:32 AM, said:

sweet man. Mine is in like 25 days.. and counting..

No kidding? where you headed?

[Andrew]

Saco river.

Granted, it's more of a camping, hiking, beer trip... but a still something to look forward to