Wolastoq (St. John) River
The Wabanaki knew the St. John River as Wolastoq, or “Beautiful River” – and it is!
The Wabanaki knew the St. John River as Wolastoq, or “Beautiful River” – and it is!
| Date(s) | Price(s) |
|---|---|
| May 16-22, 2022 | $1,650 |
The largest of Maine’s rivers, the Wolastoq (St. John) is reminiscent of the great rivers of the Canadian North. From Baker Lake, the river begins as a small stream, gradually growing in size and power as it flows near the Canadian border.
The Wolastoq (St. John) is a great river to learn or refine river paddling techniques, because the rapids become successively more difficult as we voyage north to our takeout at Dickey Landing.
The river winds through some of Maine’s wildest and most remote country, so it’s no wonder that the lynx chose this area to be their last home in the eastern lower 48 states. Other wildlife commonly seen on the Wolastoq are bald eagles, river otters, beavers, and, of course, the majestic moose.
All our Maine canoe trips are fully outfitted and guided by Mahoosuc Guide Service’s owners Polly or Kevin. We provide all the food, camping, paddling, and cooking equipment, as well as a detailed clothing list to help you in packing for your trip. Most of our trips meet in Orono, Maine (just north of Bangor). We provide transportation to and from the river. Many of our canoe trips require no special physical conditioning. If you have any concerns about the physical requirements of a trip, please contact us.
We are experienced teachers and will help you master the art of canoeing by teaching paddle strokes and poling techniques. You will learn how to set up a warm dry camp, and if you want, how to cook and bake over an open fire. All our food is natural or organic, and we source much of our food locally. Natural history, wildlife viewing, and fishing will be covered as your interests warrant.
You are in safe hands with Mahoosuc Guide Service. With more than 40 years guiding experience from Maine and Quebec to the Yukon and Alaska, we have an excellent safety record. We are certified in Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responders. We carry a satellite phone for emergency communication!
Meet 7:30 a.m. in Medway.
Drive to Baker Lake put in.
Review strokes/poling techniques depending on water level, practice river
maneuvers (eddy sets, ferries, etc.).
Travel 7 miles of Class 1 & 2 rips to camp at Turner Bogan or Baker Branch.
Fishing up Turner Brook in evening.
Pole/paddle mostly calm water, small rips.
Stop at Baker Branch cabin where Kevin spent winter ‘79 trapping.
Knowles Brook River Drive Camp.
Stop & look over old logging equipment at Knowles Brook.
Camp at Knowles Brook or Lower Ledge Rapids.
Pole/paddle to Nine Mile Bridge.
Explore history of Nine Mile area cabins and border patrol cabin.
Camp at Nine Mile or Upper Seven Island.
Pole/paddle to Seven Island.
Stop and explore old settlement of Seven Island.
History of settlement.
Continue on to lower Simmons Farm Campsite.
Pole/paddle to Big Black Rapids.
Scout and run/line Big Black depending on water level.
Native American history of confluence of Big Black.
Camp at Big Black or Long Rips in p.m.
Late start to allow for early a.m. fishing.
Pole/paddle to Fox Brook Rapids.
Camp at Fox Brook.
Early start pole/paddle to Big Rapids.
Scout Big Rapids and run/line various sections depending on water levels.
Take out at Dickey Landing mid-day.
Return to Medway around 4-5 p.m.
Deposits are non-refundable. From 0-14 days before trip starts, no money is refundable. Within 14-30 days before the trip starts, money is non-refundable, but you may apply the amount to another trip for one year (on a space available basis) minus your deposit. If you cancel within 14 days of the starting date, money is non-transferable and non-refundable. We go in all conditions including rain and thaws. If extreme weather conditions prevent you from traveling to Maine for your trip, you may use the full amount less the deposit for another trip for one year from the trip starting date. You may wish to purchase vacation insurance to cover this possibility. If you have to cancel due to Covid related issues we will not be able to give a refund, but will lock in the price of the trip and give a 2 year credit to be used toward any of our trips.
We only cancel a trip for safety reasons (i.e. flooding, bad ice, extreme windchill or lack of conditions – not enough snow or ice.) If we need to cancel, we try to reschedule people to another trip. If we need to cancel for safety or lack of conditions you may choose to use the full amount toward another Mahoosuc trip for 2 years, or receive a 50% refund and apply the other half to a Mahoosuc trip for 2 years.
We are asking all of our guests to provide a copy of their vaccine card OR for children not yet eligible to get a negative PCR Covid test within 72 hours of the trip (it may take longer than this to get results so plan accordingly). We are also recommending that people have had a booster shot(s).
Mushing can be physically demanding. We cannot predict trail conditions as they change daily, sometimes hourly. You should be in good physical condition for an overnight dog sledding trip. The dogs are strong; however, there are limits to their pulling ability. Therefore, we ask individuals who weigh over 215 lbs. to contact us prior to sending in their reservation form.
Tips are appropriate for your guides. If you feel you would like to recognize how hard they worked to provide a safe and reliable trip for you. A common amount is 5% – %10 of your trip cost. At Mahoosuc we split tips evenly among whoever is working on the trip unless people want certain amounts to go directly to certain guides. In this case they should give it to them individually.
Thanks for the great experience we had on the trip. It was really fun when you included games and swimming along with canoeing and camping to make the trip more enjoyable. Your trip was great, fantastic, stupendous, extraordinary, nothing more, nothing less.
