Machias River Race

[loganfeeney]

I'm contemplating paddling the Machias Sunday, but looking for some info/pointers about the river. In terms of difficulty or amount of WW, where does it rank among the other races?

Which sections should be scouted before race day?

[Brad Coffey]

This is a great race - I highly encourage you to try it. It is about 10.5 miles. The start is a mass start on a small lake. Once onto the river, it runs for about 4 to 5 miles, and it is quick water that whole way. Lots of turns through pretty country. At about the half way point you come to a drop known as Karrick Pitch, which is a class II or III drop that should be scouted ahead of time (the scouting spot is not hard to find - about 5 miles or so up the road from Route 9 you'll come to the road which leads to Karrick Pitch; you'll likely see cars parked near that side road. Walk down the 1/4 mile long road and you'll see the drop). From that drop to the Airline Rapids finish is about another 5 miles, with little stretches of whitewater (Class 1 probably) on the way. Mostly, however, it is just quickwater. The finish is really fun, with about 1/4 mile of Class II and III whitewater to the finish, just below Route 9. The finish has a camping area, where MACKRO folks do a great job with an annual cookout.

Given the expected weather for the weekend - and the recent rain - this will be well worth the trip.

I'd say this is not as challenging as the Sou and the Marsh, in terms of whitewater, and it is not as hard as the Kenduskeag, due to it being only 10.5 miles. But I think it harder than the St. George and the Passy. This is my favorite, because it is in such a beautiful location and has a crazy start and a really fun finish.