Canoe season begins ~ Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Talking over the trip with  Churchill Dam Park Ranger

Dropping off gear at Bissonette Bridge below Chase Rapids

Today we had our first transport of the season.  We took two guys from Virginia to Churchill Dam to start their canoe trip down the Allagash.  On way the way back we stopped at Henderson Brook Bridge to leave a rental canoe for another couple coming in this Saturday.  We also threw in a bait trap.  The roads were in good shape and we made the trip out in three+ hours.  The round trip took seven. Only saw one moose, a bull at Clayton Lake.  Lots of bear sign on the 1212 road and we went along the California Road and saw where Wade yarded wood this winter.  The ranger at Churchill said the canoe season was getting off to a slow start, he only knew of two other parties that have made the trip this Spring.  I left my camera sitting on a rock by the put in and we had to turn around and go back for it.

The History Center is worth a look

An old time batteau built with ribs made from rounded tree knees.  The bottom was all scarred from the loggers calk boots

Carved inside the batteau was the signature of the late Percy Jackson from Allagash