Sunday June 28

It shouldn't come as any surprise for those of you who live in the North East to hear that we have started off the summer with a bit of a wet start. We have received positive reports from the wilderness trip groups that have checked in and no surprise, the weather has caused some changes to itineraries.

Today I am reminded to be careful what you wish for! A week ago we were watching the water levels closely on the St John River with the leaders of our Thoreau Wilderness Trip. The TWT trip was planning to start their 7-week experience on the St John at Baker Lake. As departure day got closer the river was flowing at about 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and dropping. 2,500 (cfs) is the lowest level recommended for beginning a canoe trip on the St John, so we hoped for a little rain.

With the lower water level we decided to err on the side of caution just in case the hoped for rain didn't materialize. Old time Maine Guides refer to the St John at low water as being a mile wide and an inch deep. Last Wednesday the group put in a bit lower down the river at Moody Bridge. That was several days and a couple heavy rain storms ago. The St John has now risen to a wonderful paddling level and the rain can stop any time! Actually we have had several sunny days interspersed with the rain so if you have been watching the Weather Channel it has not been quite as bad in Northern Maine as they sometimes make the situation appear.

We will begin resupplying our extended trips at the end of this coming week and we will post updates and photos soon after.

Rain Rain Go Away

Greg Shute
Wilderness Programs Director