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Post by cdalton on Mar 7, 2014 16:32:44 GMT -5
Forecast is for 45 degrees and mostly sunny in Bangor. However, still more ice than water around here.
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Post by charlie on Mar 9, 2014 16:09:11 GMT -5
The Penobscot is open from Veazie for at least a mile or so up toward Orono. It might be open even further, but that's all I can see. You can put in off of Rock Street in Veazie, right next to the guard rail. The Town owns a strip of land there for a stormwater outfall. This is about 1/4 mile upstream of the dam that was removed last year.
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Post by Ray Wirth on Mar 9, 2014 18:46:18 GMT -5
The St. George is generally one of the first rivers to open up -- and without even looking at it, I'd say we need some serious rain and/or a solid 3-5 days of 40 degree weather to get it rolling! Three weeks to race day! Let's hope the thaw comes soon. (I've paddling Belfast Bay in the meantime).
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Post by Jeff Owen on Mar 11, 2014 9:49:59 GMT -5
Pushaw Stream is open for quite a way below the Twin Bridges on Rt. 43.
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Post by gfatula on Mar 14, 2014 7:05:56 GMT -5
Seal Harbor! I got two days in last weekend. If it warms up again I am hoping to get a couple more hours before the 29th. When it is as as cold as it has been, even on the salt water, ice can build up and create stability problems. Be safe!
George
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Post by cdalton on Mar 14, 2014 15:58:45 GMT -5
The Penobscot is open from Veazie for at least a mile or so up toward Orono. It might be open even further, but that's all I can see. You can put in off of Rock Street in Veazie, right next to the guard rail. The Town owns a strip of land there for a stormwater outfall. This is about 1/4 mile upstream of the dam that was removed last year. Thanks, I'll check that out. I've paddled that area from the boat ramp on the other side, but I didn't know there was access on the Veazie side. Looking forward to getting to know that stretch of river now that the dam is out ... I imagine paddling up to Orono will take a bit more umpfh than it used to. Does everyone remember 2012 when we were running the Kenduskeag in mid March with temps in the 70's? This year we get an old school winter to keep us honest. |
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Post by cdalton on Mar 15, 2014 20:19:42 GMT -5
The St. George is generally one of the first rivers to open up -- and without even looking at it, I'd say we need some serious rain and/or a solid 3-5 days of 40 degree weather to get it rolling! Three weeks to race day! Let's hope the thaw comes soon. (I've paddling Belfast Bay in the meantime). I walked the canal path along the St George today. It's a nice trail, with both history and scenery. The river still looked pretty icy though. It was clear at Robbins and down maybe a half a mile from the bridge, but after that it looked more closed than open.  Two weeks to go! |
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Post by charlie on Mar 16, 2014 12:39:12 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll check that out. I've paddled that area from the boat ramp on the other side, but I didn't know there was access on the Veazie side. Looking forward to getting to know that stretch of river now that the dam is out ... I imagine paddling up to Orono will take a bit more umpfh than it used to. Does everyone remember 2012 when we were running the Kenduskeag in mid March with temps in the 70's? This year we get an old school winter to keep us honest. I paddled solo up to the falls just south of Orono yesterday. It was MUCH more challenging that it used to be. I wasn't keep track of time, but it probably took around 2 hours. The falls in Orono look like have some serious fun potential. I don't remember the warm stretch in March 2012, but do remember spending quite a few hours during the last week in April 2012 refinishing the bottom of my boat... |
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Post by gfatula on Mar 17, 2014 8:19:27 GMT -5
Well? "Kevin", the weather man isn't predicting many 40 degree days this week and this morning he said something about a minus 50 degree air mass impacting our weather this coming weekend. Jeanie and I should not have cancelled our plans to do the Everglades Challenge! Won't make that mistake again! If we have a continuation of this Polar Vortex s@*t, could it change the date of the St. George race? If it does, when would it be rescheduled for? It seems premature to me, too, but if there is a contingency plan being hatched, please share.
Thanks,
George
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Post by cdalton on Mar 20, 2014 8:08:57 GMT -5
The rain today should help, but it does look like a pretty brisk forecast for the next 10 days. If the river is "almost" open late next week, maybe a crew with a Tripper and an axe would help it along. Since it's a narrow river, there are often logs and random stuff that have to be cleared in any case.
I'd be surprised if the race didn't happen on 3/29, it's too hard to move a race date. A course change or portage would be more likely.
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Post by Ray Wirth on Mar 21, 2014 22:14:55 GMT -5
St. George is almost but not quite open. Made it down past Magog. Then a long slog up thru the woods. More tomorrow A.M.
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Post by Ray Wirth on Mar 22, 2014 12:25:55 GMT -5
Yesterday (Friday, March 21) we paddled the St. George from the usual put-in in Searsmont and down past Magog before we had to take out due to ice. We got up close to two deer who were clambering up the bank from the river and had an eagle circle us just 12 feet over our heads. There were short stretches of soft ice just above the rapids at Ghent Road and just above the drop at Magog. We were able to get through those without getting out of our boats. Other than that -- and the ice in the s-turns 1/2 mile from the Route #105 bridge -- the river is open. The level is low side of medium, but that's ok, there's still plenty of snow in them woods! Anyone know if there is a trail or dirt road via which one could take out at Magog and then get up to the road on either side of the river?   |
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Post by Ray Wirth on Mar 26, 2014 17:51:14 GMT -5
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Post by Dan Littlefield on Mar 27, 2014 15:00:19 GMT -5
St Georges race is postponed until Sunday April 6th. Registration is at the church from 11am-12:30pm with a 1pm start time.
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