Before launching on the Trail, check these updates to learn about any changes that have occurred since the NFCT maps were published:
New York
MAP 1 ~ Fulton Chain of Lakes to Long Lake:
There is no lean-to on DeCamp's Island (First/Second Lake), only a tenting area.
Map 2 ~ Long Lake to Saranac River:
No updates at this time.
Map 3 ~ Saranac River to Lake Champlain:
A paddler campsite exists at the end of Permanent Rapids, on river left, which is not marked on the map.
The southernmost campsite shown on Union Falls Pond, south of Woodruff Bay, has not yet been built due to a delay in the approval of the DEC's new Unit Management Plan for the area.
Bakers Acres Campground is not at Picketts Corners, but 0.8 miles downstream on river left.
The final two dams on the Saranac River, Indian Rapids Dam and Imperial Mills Dam, are each shown on the map about 1/3 mile too far downstream. Their actual locations are easily visible on Google Earth.
Vermont/Quebec
Map 4 ~ Lake Champlain and Missisquoi River:
The remains of the breached dam in East Highgate are undercut and very dangerous. Stay away from the wall which extends into the river from the right (north) bank. We are working with landowners and the State of Vermont to hopefully remove this structure. Until it is removed, portage or carefully scout your route before running this stretch. Take out to portage or scout on river right above the first rapids, above the truss bridge. If scouting, view the river and the hazard from the truss bridge. To portage, walk through East Highgate on Route 78; use caution on this busy road. After passing all the houses, access the river via a short path from the road. Signs will be installed marking this temporary portage in spring 2008.
Highgate Center Portage relocation was completed summer 2006. The former portage down the steep, eroded hillside beneath the power lines below the dam has been abandoned. The new portage passes under the power lines and proceeds through the woods on a more gradual descent to the river. A small paddler campsite was added along the portage trail in the woods above the river. It currently has no amenities, but a self-composting toilet will be added in summer 2008. No fires are permitted at this campsite. A new paddler parking lot has been established along the portage route, on Route 207.
Buoy #4 (shown in distance grid on NFCT Map 4) is in Lake Champlain near the mouth of the Missisquoi River, but its location was removed from the map as it is a seasonal placement. It was an oversight not to remove it from the distance grid, as well.
Map 5 ~ Missisquoi River to Lake Memphremagog:
Doe Campsite was constructed May 24, 2007. Access to this campsite on the bluff is on the DOWNSTREAM side of a large landslide of the clay bank which happened in the highwater of spring 2006.
Diorio Access in Mansonville, Quebec, will not have an obvious trail between the road and the water until the landowner is able to work with the town on how this trail should be constructed (it is still open for use). If you plan to leave a vehicle at the access, put a sign on your dashboard reading "Northern Forest Canoe Trail" and provide the landowner with your expected timeline: Dominic Diorio, 426 route de Mansonville, Mansonville, QC J0E 1X0.
Map 6 ~ Lake Memphremagog to Connecticut River:
The Clyde Pond Dam (also known as Newport Dam) portage has been changed from river left to river right. Although it is not fully developed yet, it is usable and a parking area is established.
The West Charleston Pond Dam portage may change summer 2008 to skirt a ledge not far downstream from the dam. Check back for updates during the paddling season. Until the portage route changes, watch for this river-wide ledge when starting to paddle below the dam.
Many stretches of the Clyde River are regularly choked by blowdowns. Although the Kingdom Corps youth crew and NFCT interns remove blowdowns regularly, be prepared to get out and drag your boat when running the Clyde between Island Pond and Pensioner Pond.
New Hampshire
Map 7 - Connecticut River to Umbagog Lake:
New campsite has been provided to NFCT paddlers on the Connecticut River. The new site is on river right, approximately 2 miles below the Stratford-Maidstone Bridge. Signs have been installed to mark the area, but there are no other facilities yet. Enjoy this beautiful new spot!
New campsite and hand-carry access are in development in Groveton on the final stretch of the Upper Ammonoosuc. Access from the water is on river left, about 1/2 mile below the Weston Dam. Access from the road is off Route 3: Pull into the large parking lot of Normandeau Trucking, across the road from the Down Home Motel. Access and parking are in the woods on the left. The campsite is currently a clearing next to the river; we will add a picnic table, fire ring, and toilet in summer 2008.
Maine
Map 8 ~ Umbagog Lake to Rangeley Lake
Lower Dam was removed from the Rapid River, but it is still necessary to portage. The portage route remains the same. Picnic table and small informational kiosk installed by Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust at the Lower Dam landing.
Teepee Campground is no longer operational (on Magalloway River just upstream from Umbagog Lake). Campground property purchased by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Map 9 ~ Rangeley Lake to Spencer Stream
Grand Falls Highwater Portage Trail was constructed Spring 2006. There are two portage options here: To avoid the breached dam and Class II rapids immediately above Grand Falls (a good idea especially when the Long Falls Dam upstream is releasing and the river is high and swift), take out left at the marker just upstream from the old, breached dam and follow the trail over private property in an arc around two private camps. Please respect the landowners who let us camp and portage here and steer clear of their camps by using the trail. For a shorter portage, paddle or line the breached dam and rapids and take out at the beach immediately above Grand Falls. Use extreme caution when choosing your approach to the Falls - they are not in the least bit runnable. Campsite will be developed at take out for highwater portage trail; until it is, camping is permitted there. The old campsite on river left directly above the breached dam is now closed.
Map 10 ~ Spencer Stream to Moosehead Lake
The old, washed out Spencer Lake Dam was rebuilt in fall 2006 and is now a larger, concrete dam. We are working with landowners to establish a formal portage trail around it.
Due to extremely low water and heavy undergrowth, the section of Trail between Whipple Pond and Fish Pond is not recommended for travel at this time. Portaging along Hardscrabble Road (aka Spencer Road) and Spencer Rips Road is preferred. (2006 through paddlers Team Perkoski recommends paddling the narrow Whipple Bog that parallels Spencer Rips Road.) We are working with local landowners to develop an off-road portage through this area since the changes in water flow above Fish Pond are relatively permanent.
Hardscrabble Road is labeled "Spencer Rd" on the sign at its junction with Route 201. Spencer Rips Road is not labeled, but is at the Mile 10 marker. The road to Fish Pond is near the Mile 13 marker.
Campsite at the mouth of Wood Stream, on Big Wood Pond, no longer exists.
Demo Road portage around the rapids on the Moose River has been better signed and cut, though the last leg through the woods is rough. Improvements will continue in summer 2008.
Island Campsite on Brassua Lake was constructed by Waterway Work Trip volunteers in September, 2007. Access is via the cove on the south side of the island. Campsite has a picnic table, tenting area, fire ring, and self-composting toilet. It's a beautiful site - don't miss it!
Map 11 ~ Moosehead Lake to Umbazooksus Stream
Baker Brook Campsite was improved by Waterway Work Trip volunteers in September, 2007. A picnic table, fire ring, and self-composting toilet were added. Look for it in the pines on a point of land on the left once you've entered Baker Brook from Moosehead Lake (north of Rockwood).
Northwest Carry alternative route: paddle up Carry Brook to the snowmobile bridge, then portage on the snowmobile trail to the Seboomook Rd, then down a camp road to Seboomook Lake. The State of Maine recently acquired this land and intends to make improvements to this portage route with signs and a campsite on the Seboomook end of the trail.
Map 12 ~ Umbazooksus Stream to Umsaskis Lake
Mud Pond Carry alternative: Make arrangements with the Chesuncook Store to get a shuttle to Chamberlain Bridge.
Map 13 ~ Umsaskis Lake to St John River
American Dream Campground on the St John River is no longer in operation.
Riverside Park in Fort Kent, the final take out of the Trail, is immediately after the mouth of the Fish River, not 0.5 miles past it as indicated on the map's route description. Riverside Park is 0.5 miles after you float under the green truss bridge between Fort Kent, Maine, and Claire, New Brunswick.
