It’s been a good paddling season for me this year, in June we managed to get a trip in down the St.Croix River.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Croix_River_(Maine%E2%80%93New_Brunswick)
The St. Croix forms the international border between Maine and New Brunswick, it has a bit of everything that most paddlers would enjoy. Trips can be anywhere from a nice day run to an entire week if you add the feeder lake system into you plans. The river has just enough moving water and fun little rapids to entertain new paddlers and experienced alike. Campsites are plenty along both sides of the border and are somewhat maintained but the local river association (http://www.stcroix.org/ ). The best part of this river is that it is dam controlled meaning it can be paddled most of the season unlike most other rivers in the province, the bad part is it can be busy with other paddlers…..
Our trip started at the normal put in near the Vanceboro, ME border crossing. This was my oldest second trip down this river and my younger sons first taste of moving water.
I’ve been paddling big canoes for years and to have someone in the bow to help with the work sure makes the windy moments much more bearable.
The St. Croix is a nice scenic river with only a few camps / cottages on the American side. Otherwise, you’ll get the feeling you’re deep in the woods even though you’re really not that far from safety.
Little Falls is the highlight for the St. Croix as far as rapids are concerned.
I’ve been thru these falls plenty of times but mostly solo, taking my 10 yr old thru for the first time put a little pressure on me.
My cautious approach to getting us thru the rapids bit me in the arse. I hesitated just a few seconds and missed my line.
Fortunately, with a little luck and the stability of my Old Town Tripper, we were able to get thru without further issues.
Tom who had my oldest in the canoe with showed us the proper way thru without issues.
We made camp at one of the established sites on the river.
Up and away the next morning brought a few more shallow water rapids and a bit of dead water paddling.
Our take out at Loon Bay after one night on the river….
Overall, a great little trip and the kids had fun. Might be returning next weekend with the same crew.
JP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Croix_River_(Maine%E2%80%93New_Brunswick)
The St. Croix forms the international border between Maine and New Brunswick, it has a bit of everything that most paddlers would enjoy. Trips can be anywhere from a nice day run to an entire week if you add the feeder lake system into you plans. The river has just enough moving water and fun little rapids to entertain new paddlers and experienced alike. Campsites are plenty along both sides of the border and are somewhat maintained but the local river association (http://www.stcroix.org/ ). The best part of this river is that it is dam controlled meaning it can be paddled most of the season unlike most other rivers in the province, the bad part is it can be busy with other paddlers…..
Our trip started at the normal put in near the Vanceboro, ME border crossing. This was my oldest second trip down this river and my younger sons first taste of moving water.
I’ve been paddling big canoes for years and to have someone in the bow to help with the work sure makes the windy moments much more bearable.
The St. Croix is a nice scenic river with only a few camps / cottages on the American side. Otherwise, you’ll get the feeling you’re deep in the woods even though you’re really not that far from safety.
Little Falls is the highlight for the St. Croix as far as rapids are concerned.
I’ve been thru these falls plenty of times but mostly solo, taking my 10 yr old thru for the first time put a little pressure on me.
My cautious approach to getting us thru the rapids bit me in the arse. I hesitated just a few seconds and missed my line.
Fortunately, with a little luck and the stability of my Old Town Tripper, we were able to get thru without further issues.
Tom who had my oldest in the canoe with showed us the proper way thru without issues.
We made camp at one of the established sites on the river.
Up and away the next morning brought a few more shallow water rapids and a bit of dead water paddling.
Our take out at Loon Bay after one night on the river….
Overall, a great little trip and the kids had fun. Might be returning next weekend with the same crew.
JP
