Day: 154 Miles: 4 Trip: 2034.7 Started: Pierce Pond Destination: US201, Caratunk
Today I cross the Kennebec River. This is the largest river I have crossed so far that does not have a bridge. The river itself is about 400' wide and about chest deep. Fording this river is dangerous and there have been deaths in the past when deeper and stronger than normal currents have overcome hikers. The river is downstream from a damn that releases water on a regular basis and water levels in the river can swell unexpectedly. For many years a canoe ferry has been provided by the
MATC to help hikers cross the river in the busy season. The ferry is only available for a few hours in the morning and afternoon
so the stop at Pierce Pond last night set us up for an early morning crossing. To discourage fording the river there is even a white blaze in the bottom of the canoe. Purists would not dream of not taking the canoe because they might miss a section of the trail. I'm going to resupply at the Sterling Inn and share a room with ChinMusic for the night. We might even slack from here the next day. ChinMusic's wife will be here tomorrow and slack options will be easier logistically.
Today I cross the Kennebec River. This is the largest river I have crossed so far that does not have a bridge. The river itself is about 400' wide and about chest deep. Fording this river is dangerous and there have been deaths in the past when deeper and stronger than normal currents have overcome hikers. The river is downstream from a damn that releases water on a regular basis and water levels in the river can swell unexpectedly. For many years a canoe ferry has been provided by the MATC to help hikers cross the river in the busy season. The ferry is only available for a few hours in the morning and afternoon so the stop at Pierce Pond last night set us up for an early morning crossing. To discourage fording the river there is even a white blaze in the bottom of the canoe. Purists would not dream of not taking the canoe because they might miss a section of the trail. I'm going to resupply at the Sterling Inn and share a room with ChinMusic for the night. We might even slack from here the next day. ChinMusic's wife will be here tomorrow and slack options will be easier logistically.
No comments:
Post a Comment