Northern Forest Canoe Trail
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| Northern Forest Canoe Trail | |
|---|---|
| Length | 740 mile (1190 km) |
| Trailheads | Old Forge, New York, Fort Kent, Maine |
| Use | Canoeing |
| Trail Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous |
| Season | Summer to Fall |
| Sights | Adirondack Mountains |
| Hazards | Severe Weather Class III, IV white water |
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a 740-mile marked canoeing trail in the northeastern United States and in Canada, extending from Old Forge, New York to Fort Kent in Maine. Along the way, the trail also passes through the states and provinces of Vermont, Quebec, and New Hampshire. The trail had its official opening June 3, 2006.
Contents |
[edit] The trail
The American Canoe Association has named the NFCT an ACA-Recommended Water Trail. The 740 mile route is divided into 13 sections: Adirondack Country (West) New York, Adirondack North Country (Central) New York, Adirondack Country (East) New York, Islands and Farms Region Vermont, Upper Missisquoi Valley Vermont/Quebec, Northeast Kingdom Quebec/Vermont, Great North Woods New Hampshire, Rangeley Lakes Region Maine, Flagstaff Region Maine, Greater Jackman Region Maine, Moosehead/Penobscot Region Maine, Allagash Region (South) Maine, and Allagash Region (North) Maine. Each of these sections has been mapped and documented in order to establish the trail.
Portages = 62 (55 miles (90km)), Lakes and Ponds = 56, Rivers and Streams = 22.
[edit] Marking
Northern Forest Canoe Trail medallions (yellow diamond with blue lettering) are posted on some sections of the trail to mark portage trails, campsites, and access areas.
[edit] Canoeing
Quoted from the Northern Forest Canoe Trail website Frequently Asked Questions: So, the Trail is like a water version of the Appalachian Trail? Answer: "It is natural to draw similarities between the canoe trail and other long-distance trails — there are many similarities; there are also many differences. Both trails are long-distance trails that celebrate the outdoors and outdoor recreation. Both trails also require physical activity to enjoy them. Most people who use long-distance trails take one-day or short overnight trips. And like those other trails, most of those who seek to paddle the entire Trail will do so in section paddles. Very few people will paddle the length of the Trail in one trip because of the skills and time required to complete a through-paddle.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail differs significantly from the Appalachian Trail in many ways — perhaps most significantly, in management. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail obtains access for campsites and portages through landowner permission rather than through land protection. Additionally, because it is a trail of navigable waters, the Trail flows through both developed areas and back country. It is a blend of community experiences and wilderness. The other significant difference from most hiking trails is that many sections of the Trail require a high level of skill to complete."[1]
[edit] Accommodations
[edit] Trail towns
[edit] States Included
[edit] New York
147 miles. Old Forge to Saranac River is primarily scenic flatwater. It follows the long-established “Highway of the Adirondacks.” The Saranac River is a scenic, sometimes challenging, route off the Adirondack Plateau.
[edit] Vermont/Quebec
174 miles. Lake Champlain is the most historic lake in America, and very big. The Missisquoi River is mostly slow water through a pastoral landscape, with a few rapids and several carries, including Québec’s historic “Grand Portage” to Lake Memphremagog. The Clyde and Nulhegan rivers each flow through sections of wetlands, ponds, and rapids, and include several carries as they flow through the scenic Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
[edit] New Hampshire
72 miles. The Connecticut is placid as it meanders to the Upper Ammonoosuc. The Upper Ammonoosuc is quickwater with a few rapids. The Androscoggin flows out of Umbagog Lake, with stretches of slowly flowing water punctuated by some rapids, and a wide, quiet reservoir with relics of logging days visible on the banks.
[edit] Maine
347 miles. The Rangeley Lakes are very large and have attracted canoeists and anglers for centuries. The steep, tumbling Rapid River is portaged. The seasonal flow of the South Branch Dead River has a couple of rapid sections as it flows into the wide, scenic Flagstaff Lake. Grand Falls is a spectacular highlight at the confluence of the Dead River and Spencer Stream. The Spencer and Little Spencer watershed is remote, as is the beginning of the Moose River. The Moose flows through many lakes and some rapids on its way to the broad, storied stretches of Moosehead Lake. The West Branch Penobscot provides a historic connection between Moosehead and the large lakes that form the headwaters of the Allagash River. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is a spectacular ribbon of lakes, ponds, rivers and occasional rapids winding through northern Maine to the wide St. John River on the Canadian border.
[edit] History
The trail became official in June 2006.
