Join RMS' Northeast Chapter for a basecamp-style week exploring the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a designated National Wild and Scenic River and one of the premier wilderness systems in the eastern United States.

Participants will learn about the history, ecology, recreation, and management of the Allagash while hearing directly from Superintendent Mark Deroche and Allagash Rangers. The trip includes day explorations to lakes, wetlands, waterfalls, historic logging sites, and wildlife-rich areas throughout the waterway.

Expect campfire cooking, wildlife viewing, paddling opportunities, and lively conversations about wilderness stewardship and recreation management in Maine’s North Woods.

The trip will concentrate on two themes:

1. First, we’ll be exploring the history of how the Allagash Wilderness Waterway came to be an icon of the Northern Forest. This will lead us through the regional geology and the logging industry’s past and present, while visiting some of the sites where relics still stand deep in the forest. Concurrently, we’ll examine the impacts of modern-day paddling, fishing, and camping on the natural ecosystem of the Allagash. Throughout our visit, we’ll have opportunities to talk with regional experts on related topics, whether sitting around a campfire or hanging out at one of the Allagash’s “Cadillac” campsites.
2. Second, we’ll focus on the management side of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. We will visit and hear from the rangers about their trials and tribulations, while being guided by Mr. Mark DeRoche, the manager of the entire system. How does a group of dedicated individuals manage the seasonal influx of visitors, both in the obvious summertime and in winter, with its snow machines? We will have unedited conversations with the local experts and enjoy a lively give-and-take, since I expect the folks who sign up for our trip will also bring expertise from other regions and experiences.

Throughout this adventure, we’ll be cooking mostly by campfire and enjoying unparalleled wildlife viewing. The geese may be congregating to fly south by then, and the moose will be thinking of mating. If we see any bull moose, they should be sporting their prime racks. There are always bald eagles, herons, and osprey to spot, so bring along your binoculars, cameras, and field guides.

Speakers

Our growing program includes the following speakers: Ecologist Janet McMahon, Representatives from the North Maine Woods organization, Fisheries Biologists, Maine Forest Service siltation enforcement personnel, Steward for the North Forest Canoe Trail Noah Pollock, and Allagash Wilderness Waterway Council Chair Josie Place.

Itinerary

• Sept 5, Saturday: Travel day for everyone.  Meet at a campground (to be discovered) in Millinocket, ME by 5 pm.  Dinner will be as a group followed by gear check. 

• Sept 6, Sunday: Group will drive to Churchill Dam where we will be base camped.  This is also the HQ for the Allagash Rangers.  If we get in early enough, we may be able to run the famous Chase Rapids which runs for 4-5 miles below the dam.  

The following days would perhaps be best left loosely scheduled so that we can adapt to the weather conditions as they show up.   

• Sept 7, Monday: Eagle Lake - Pillsbury Island where HD Thoreau camped, the old logging trains, the Tramway log conveyor, Smith Brook and perhaps a visit to Fred King

• Sept 8, Tuesday: Umsaskis Lake - Inlet marsh/wetlands are a great wildlife opportunity, natural springs

• Sept 9, Wednesday: Chamberlain Lake -visit the remains of the two logging tugs built on the lake, as well as the train trestle at the end of the lake where the logging trains used to cross to reach the height of land and dump pulp logs into Umbazooksis Lake in the West Branch Penobscott Watershed.  A side trip could also take in the Telos Dam which held water back to flush logs into the East Branch of the Penobscott R.  

• Sept 10, Thursday: Allagash Falls - Visiting the iconic large falls on the lower Allagash R. which still currently acts as a barrier to nonnative fish migrating upstream and changing to ecosystem in the lakes and streams above.  

• Sept 11, Friday: Allagash Lake - Touring Allagash Lake, the diamond in the Allagash wilderness.  This Lake is isolated and off limits to visitors with any form of motorized conveyance.  We will climb the firetower to a gorgeous vista overlooking the North Maine Woods and perhaps also visit the ice caves and the natural outlet of Allagash Lake.  It is rare to find the outlets of larger bodies of water which have no dams to regulate the outflow.  This lake is truly spectacular and isolated.

• Sept 12, Saturday: Group decision day.  This is also a foul weather filler if we need it.  Otherwise, we could spend the day swimming, birding, lounging, journaling or running Chase Rips again.  Final campfire and well wishes to everyone on their travels.  Another option is to climb Priestly Mtn. or paddle: perhaps even a split group, depending on the weather and group dynamics.

• Sept 13, Sunday: Travel home

Register for this event below.

Registration

• Trip Cost: $395 RMS members / $425 non-members
• Group Size: 12 participants maximum

Register

What's Included & What to Pack