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Jul 23, 2022: Moxie Pond

We had a beautiful sunny day for a traverse of Moxie Pond on the first day of the Summer Picnic weekend.  Unsure of where to begin and end, Nancy and I drove up and down Moxie Pond Road in advance.  We found a spot next to the water at the southern end adjacent to a CMP Corridor worksite where we could park vehicles.  Since the forecast called for a west southwest wind, we decided to begin at the southern end and paddle northeast to the Moxie Pond Boat Landing.  We met Gail & Devon Carter and Jonathan Ludlow at the landing and transported boats south.  The Carter’s were navigating a tandem canoe, Jonathan a solo canoe, and Nancy and I were in solo lake kayaks.  The paddling was superb.  When publicizing the trip, I stated the pond resembled an inland fjord.  That was an unintentional embellishment.  However, while traveling between Moxie Bald and Mosquito Mountains, if you let your imagination soar, it looks something like an inland fjord.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  Everything went swimmingly until we started looking for a location to stop for lunch.  After exploring several possibilities, we finally found a small partially cleared island where landing was doable but challenging.  Easy paddling continued until we were about a mile from the landing.  Then the wind gods betrayed us.  Nasty broadsides were encountered while navigating an open stretch.  A powerful headwind followed when turning towards the boat landing.  By the time we arrived, everyone had experienced an aerobic workout.  Overall, it was a very scenic trip with a great group.

Participants:  Gail Carter, Devon Carter, Jonathan Ludlow, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase

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Jul 1-3, 2022: Roll Dam at 430cfs

When I am paddling early in the season during the spring runoff, tromping through snow to the put in, thoughts of summer at Roll Dam warm my heart even while my hands freeze.  At last July arrived and the trip was on with just enough water for a good time on the river.  It was a slightly smaller group than in previous years, and on Saturday only three of us remained at Roll Dam while the rest of the crew headed over for bigger thrills at Canada Falls.  The only flaw in the lovely weekend were the bugs which were decidedly thick, fierce, and diverse.

K-1: Charlie Berliant, Jeff Bickford, Troad Richmond

iK-1: Erin-Kate Sousa, Deb Harris, Jeff Swett

OC-2: Gary & Suzanne Cole

OC-1: Rick & Koa Farnsworth, Kenny DeCoster, Helen Hess (TC)

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Jul 17, 2022: Kennebec Gorge, 5000 and 2685 cfs

Participants were all in kayaks: Jeff Bickford, Greg Winston, Ken Gordon; TC’s Suzanne Cole & Gary Cole

We took over TCing Brent’s Kennebec 2400 as he had family obligations. 

As it turned out, the five of us paddled both releases. We had the usual fun at 5000, surfing our favorite waves and squirting here and there. We took out at Carry Brook and, with enough vehicles there, we were able to run all boats and boaters to the top without a shuttle.

Our second run was at 2685 cfs (what an odd number). We were eager to get on this lower level as we don’t paddle it very often. We found waves in different locations, paddled a different route at Big Mama, and wove our way down Magic. If you think this level is easier than 5000, think again. It is a little less pushy, but the routes through the rapids are tighter and the water is very turbulent in places.

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Jun 21, 2002: Sea Kayak to Eastern Egg Rock

Six Chowderheads met at Bradford Point in Friendship for a two-day sea kayak expedition to Eastern Egg Rock to visit the recently arrived puffins.  Paddling to a campsite on Black Island was the immediate goal.  The weather forecast for day two had deteriorated overnight with fog and strong onshore winds predicted.  The four mile paddle to Black Island with sunny skies and light winds was a delight.  Two remaining trip participants, outliers if you will, were met at the large Maine Coastal Heritage campsite on the north end of the island.  After a group discussion regarding concerns about the worsening second day weather forecast, a change of plans was made:  We would attempt to complete the nine mile roundtrip to Eastern Egg Rock during the afternoon.  Excellent conditions were encountered traversing south through the narrow channel between Harbor and Hall Islands and passing Franklin Island Light, the last island before a couple of miles of open water to Eastern Egg.  Light winds and gentle seas continued to Eastern Egg where we were greeted with scores of colorful puffins.  We also had the opportunity to exchange greetings with club member Olivia Ridley who was working on the island as a member of the Audubon staff.  After completing a circumnavigation of the rock in rolling swells, we returned to Black Island with a tailwind and an ingoing tide.  A sunny end of the day with a cool sea breeze made for a very pleasant evening camping on Black Island.  The following morning, we awoke to patchy fog and a strong onshore wind.  Three in the group decided to return to Friendship while the remaining Chowderheads outwaited the fog and paddled to a beach on Harbor Island to hike Cliff Trail.  The trek across the island led to spectacular cliffs with a panoramic view of Muscongus Bay on the west side.  Afterwards, the hiking contingent returned to the mainland assisted by a strong tailwind and a cooperative ingoing tide.  Jean Miller and Ken Gordon took some exceptional pictures of the wonderful little puffins.  Special thanks to Troad for organizing overnight parking even though she was unable to participate.

Participants:  Helen Hess, Rick Farnsworth, Adam Chase, Brent Elwell, Deb Harris, Jean Miller, Ken Gordon, and TC

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Jun 7, 2022: Cathance River Cleanup

A sizeable group of dedicated Chowderheads turned out for the second Cathance River clean up.  As a result of trips last fall and this spring, we knew debris was accumulating in Z Turn.  However, when our anonymous river scout sent photos and reported that Z Turn was completely impassable, it was time to act.  We loaded packs and a plastic sled with gear and equipment for the short hike from Highland Green to the river.  While Ken Gordon and Eggman DeCoster were wizards operating their chainsaws, the rest of us completed the less glamorous tasks.  Three fairly substantial trees were cut into small logs and removed along with a substantial amount of brush and debris.  Floating some of the logs in pools was necessary to get them out.  Afterwards, we hiked downriver to inspect the remaining rapids.  Debris and obstacles were removed or moved out of the way in First Drop, Boulder Pile, and Final Drop.  Overall, it was a very successful day.

Participants:  Ken Gordon, Eggman DeCoster, Bruce Weik, Brent Elwell, Adam Chase, Ron Chase, and Anonymous River Scout