Hi folks, trying to decide between upper west Branch/ Lobster Lake or first Debsconeag and vicinity. A few questions 1) scenery along the west Branch? 2) cross Chesuncook to the take out at Umbazooksas West? Was also thinking about starting somewhere on the west Branch to get to first Debsconeag. What’s it like below Pockwockamus Falls. We have some white water experience( class 2 and short class 3) . I don’t want to get over my head as I’ll be traveling with three people and two canoes. Any advice or info is appreciated .
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Maine trip
- Thread starter Rayza121462
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Hi and Welcome!
There are several forum members who are much more knowledgeable than I am about that area and who will likely pipe up in a little while. In the meantime, I will say that I paddled the West Branch from Lobster to Chesuncook last September. We paddled the length of Chesuncook because we were taking out at Allagash Gateway Campgrounds on Ripogenous Lake (they shuttled me up to the put in, too). It was a beautiful float in September and Lobster Lake is truly gorgeous. We spent 2 nights on Lobster, one on the West Branch and one on Chesuncook. If I had it to do over, I'd try to spend at least 3 on Lobster.
There are several forum members who are much more knowledgeable than I am about that area and who will likely pipe up in a little while. In the meantime, I will say that I paddled the West Branch from Lobster to Chesuncook last September. We paddled the length of Chesuncook because we were taking out at Allagash Gateway Campgrounds on Ripogenous Lake (they shuttled me up to the put in, too). It was a beautiful float in September and Lobster Lake is truly gorgeous. We spent 2 nights on Lobster, one on the West Branch and one on Chesuncook. If I had it to do over, I'd try to spend at least 3 on Lobster.
Establishing a takeout at Umbazooksas is a bit on the expensive side. Allagash Gateway Campground will provide this service but for my party of 5 I believe I was quoted $600 with a put in at Lobster Stream and the takeout at Umbazooksas. Instead we parked our vehicles at Allagash Gateway Campground and were shuttled to Lobster Stream put in with a takeout at Allagash Gateway Campgrounds. Spent two nights on the West Branch and two nights on Gero Island and one additional night on a makeshift campsite on Chesuncook (Again due to weather conditions). Weather all came into play with this trip and screwed up our agenda entirely. Chesuncook (paddling South) was a challenge due to head winds and this caused significant delays. Not a fun lake to paddle with 3 to 4 foot seas against a headwind. Others have paddled with favorable wind conditions or no wind and have had no issues at all and if that is the case it is a great trip.
Have never camped on Lobster Lake due to my fear of overcrowding, but I suppose one of these days I will canoe camp there late in the season after the masses head back to school and vacation season is complete.
First Debsconeag access is extremely easy for motor boats with a boat launch at Little Omaha Beach at the Debsconeag Deadwater. There is a short paddle across the Debsconeag Deadwater into First Debsconeag. Campsites are fantastic, but at the same time campsites are extremely popular due to ease of accessibility. I canoe camped on the South Eastern campsite at the outlet of First Debsconeag last summer and this trip started on a Thursday. Friday I must have seen 6-8 motor boats trolling the length of the lake and all campsites were soon occupied. I left the next morning. I had never been there before and anticipated peace and quiet but found it to be otherwise.
Just recently completed the Debsconeag Canoe Trail Loop with a put in at Grants Brook Road Bridge, down the West Branch, Pemadumcook, Third Debsconeag, Second Debsconeag to First Debsconeag with a take out back at the bridge mid May. My plan was to potentially camp at the same site on First Debsconeag but all campsites were occupied which kind of surprised me. I kept moving along.
trip report for my last trip: (http://www.canoetripping.net/forums...sconeag-lakes-wilderness-area-canoe-loop-solo)
My suggestion would be to head out for a midweek trip. I believe you will find some peace and quiet during the week but come the weekend party central arrives in droves. West Branch can get busy as well but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
Having done the West Branch from Seboomook or Lobster many times and even in the CROWDS of August.. The crowd consisted of seven moose. We saw three parties on Lobster the first week of August ( there are some 15 campsites) and none none at all down to Allagash Gateway Campground.
There is a recent difference.. Day trippers can putter around Chesuncook with out all that camping bother since the road and a public landing was established in Chesuncook Village. While you will see people ( and last year only paddlers as Chesuncook was down 18 feet and no one with a motor wanted to find rocks) they aren't camping.
I have never never had campsite competition.. Scenery.. well there is Mt Katahdin in view on Chesuncook and Lobster is partially ringed with mountains. Lobster Mt and Big and Little Spencer.. You can find images online.
The river is kind of closed in yet attractive anyway as there are always eagles and moose especially if you are watchful.
For a little more WW thrill on that part of the W Branch, put in just below Seboomook Dam and make your way to the junction of Lobster Stream and over to Lobster Lake.. Lobster Stream has virtually no current
Have not done Debsconeag yet. With Rip Dam and class V whitewater inbetween your two candidates you have to put in lower on that part of the W Branch
I am not surprised at May crowds.. Ice out was just recent then and the fishermen are hungry.. They go away.
There is a recent difference.. Day trippers can putter around Chesuncook with out all that camping bother since the road and a public landing was established in Chesuncook Village. While you will see people ( and last year only paddlers as Chesuncook was down 18 feet and no one with a motor wanted to find rocks) they aren't camping.
I have never never had campsite competition.. Scenery.. well there is Mt Katahdin in view on Chesuncook and Lobster is partially ringed with mountains. Lobster Mt and Big and Little Spencer.. You can find images online.
The river is kind of closed in yet attractive anyway as there are always eagles and moose especially if you are watchful.
For a little more WW thrill on that part of the W Branch, put in just below Seboomook Dam and make your way to the junction of Lobster Stream and over to Lobster Lake.. Lobster Stream has virtually no current
Have not done Debsconeag yet. With Rip Dam and class V whitewater inbetween your two candidates you have to put in lower on that part of the W Branch
I am not surprised at May crowds.. Ice out was just recent then and the fishermen are hungry.. They go away.
G
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Wow! people say we have difficult long American Indian names I WNY. Next time I hear people complain about names like Scatoquada creek I'll tell them to go to Maine!
Nah. MA The mother of American Indian names.. Passagassawamkeag or Mooselookmeguntic don't come close to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.
AKA for obvious reasons Lake Webster.
Wow, thx everyone for the info. So glad I posted in here. I thought First Debsconeag was going to be secluded but it appears not. So Lobster/ West Branch is in the lead . I’m concerned about crossing Chesuncook. I’ve read many accounts of bad winds and I don’t want to chance it. Are there any other take outs ? The village ? Thanks fir all your input. It is much appreciated !!
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Yes you can take out at the village. I have not done it so you might want to check with Chesuncook Lake House. The House burned in 2018 but they still rent cabins so the phone number ought to work I hear the road is rough and expensive ( $40 ) as its after the Caribou Checkpoint. However Allagash Gateway does shuttle to that point.
If you have the time and are willing and able to paddle at early light or wait it out the winds can be dealt with. They are not typically up in the morning.. I have actually had good calm paddles down the lake as well as some "this is hard " paddles.. They have all been in solo canoes . The crossing of C at the village is one mile if you do not do the takeout. The one thing that will kill you ( and it goes for any canoe trip on big water) is trying to keep a schedule and not leaving yourself potential wait it out days
If you have the time and are willing and able to paddle at early light or wait it out the winds can be dealt with. They are not typically up in the morning.. I have actually had good calm paddles down the lake as well as some "this is hard " paddles.. They have all been in solo canoes . The crossing of C at the village is one mile if you do not do the takeout. The one thing that will kill you ( and it goes for any canoe trip on big water) is trying to keep a schedule and not leaving yourself potential wait it out days
