BSA TROOP 58
KENNEBEC WHITEWATER RAFTING AND CANOEING INFORMATION
TYPICAL AGENDA & DETAILS

Kennebec Area Map ---Area Events

Typical Agenda (subject to change):

Fri, 5 PM Leave Cumberland
Sat, 9AM Whitewater rafting on Kennebec, followed by BBQ
Sat, 5PM Hike to Moxie Falls, Maine's Largest Waterfall, over 90-foot drop
Sun 10AM Canoeing and/or Whitewater Merit Badge
Sun, 7 PM Arrive home
(Saturday – Sunday schedule may reverse, depending on avail days for rafting)

Typical Budget per Scout

Rafting, Wetsuit, & BBQ: $50 (Kennebec*)
Tent Camping, 2 nights $12
Food on Site for group $8
Gas $5
Total (approx) $75
*For Dead River Rafting, add approx $20
50% Deposit for Rafting Company is required. Reservations for Early summer shold be made in March.
 

Rafting Information

We’ve used this Rafting company every year since 1995
Magic Falls Rafting Company:
1-800-207-RAFT
http://www.magicfalls.com
E-mail: adventures@magicfalls.com

This is Kennebec River Whitewater, one of the more gentle rivers. Minimim age is 10. 10-mile V-Shaped Gorge is up to 240-feet deep.
The Dead River is a bit more exciting, Minimum age is 12.
 

Canoeing Information:

The typical Canoe trip is the 10 miles of Kennebec River, from The Forks (where rafting ends) to the Caratunk Takeout. We’ll cross the Appalachian Trail in a canoe!! See Map of Canoe Trip

Plan on putting canoes in at the forks at 10:30am. The water is usually there at that time - if not, it should be by 12:30. See the data at the USGS website – Station # 1042500 see if you can see a pattern :

http://water.usgs.gov/me/nwis/uv?01042500

This site includes a description of where the gauging station is located - just about where you put in at the Forks- also the raw data is available so you can get exact times. (Bingham data is below Wyman Dam – not useful for this trip)

This is from the "Real-time Streamflow Data" website at http://me.water.usgs.gov/

 

More Details

1) ATTENTION DRIVERS: BSA Tour Permit Application will be needed. Would you all kindly send to me the following information ASAP:

Year and Make of Vehicle you expect to take
Number of Passengers you can take
Drivers License State/Number
Public Liability Coverage, person/accident/property damage (usually 300k or 100k)

2) DEPARTURE PLACE AND TIME:

Meet at MIWS parking lot/Wyatt's yard for 5:00 – 6:00 departure on Friday
Supper is on your own, eat it before you go, bring it along, or bring $$ for stops along the way.

3) DIRECTIONS:

See http://www.magicfalls.com/maps1.html, but here's some general directions:
The trip is about 130 miles: 65 along I-95, and 65 along US Route 201.
I-95 through Augusta to Waterville (Good eating selection off Exit 34 in Waterville)
Exit 36 to US 201 North towards Skowhegan (Irving Truck Stop a few miles up on the left, Citgo Truck stop back at exit 35)
Route 201 through Skowhegan, Solon, Bingham, The Forks. (Burger King, etc on road out of Skowhegan - last chance)
Cross Bridge over Kennebec into West Forks -
Magic Falls Rafting Co is on left after general store, hotel, etc, before big hill .
(If you go up the hill and find yourself in Canada, you've gone too far)
Phone numers: 1-800-207-RAFT & 207-663-2220

3a) !! WATCH OUT FOR MOOSE ALONG ROUTE 201 NORTH OF SKOWHEGAN !!

We've had to slow down (and even stop) for several of them every year, so don't rush it here.
P L E A S E , please drive safely!

4) Don't forget to Bring:

Bathing Suit & Towel, Quarters for Shower.
Bug Spray, Sun Block
Eating utensils, plate, cup, etc.
$$ for food stops along the way, both to and from.
Gas $$ for your driver.