St Croix ME

I did this river years ago when I was a beginning canoeist. I cannot
imagine the rapids becoming class III-IV under any circumstances -
there's just not enough gradient. I do remember that there's a
damkeeper upstream. We did the run at a very minimal level, and he
told us afterwords that had he known we were going to paddle, he would
have released more water for us.

Sorry, don't remember enough to comment about shuttles. We had a group
and did our own. I do remember that the riverside camping was quite
nice. First night we slept on Canadian soil (river left) and second on
American (river right.)
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reverend wrote:
> It's easiest to get a map for this river.
> The first class III section (Little Falls) can easily be handled most
> canoeist, pull off to the left (Canadian side) to scout or for the
> short portage ( +/- 300 ft).
>
> We took out after a 2 day trip at Loone Bay on the Canadian side. There
> is a public launch/takeout spot there and had now problems with vehicle
> security. Loone Bay was about 4-5 hrs from Little Falls steady
> paddling.
>
> Shuttle service is available, not sure of the price but think it's less
> than $100 if not only $50.
>
> Jamie
>
>

I am on the USA side, I don't need a passport or go through customs to
do this river ?
I think take out on the canadian side would be a problem if I don't go
through customs. I believe I read you can take out on the USA side
somewhere on that big lake .


>
> surfunbear RemoveThis @yahoo.com wrote:
> > Can any one tell me about this river:
> >
> > where can I park a car in Vancboro or at the lake 2 days down the river
> > ?
> > Is it pretty safe in the area ?
> >
> > Would it be feasable to leave a mountain bike at one end or use a
> > mountain bike to shuttle myself down the road along the river ? How is
> > the road if it rains. I am concerned it could be too muddy in that case
> > ? Otherwise how can I get an affordable shuttle ? I am not working
> > currently and I seem to recall paying something close to $200 for this
> > kind of thing.
> >
> > What are the rapids like if there's been allot of rain, do the wash out
> > or become class III/IV ?
> > My book is at home, and I am not there.
> >
> > I am considering this run this late summer fall if I can arrange it,
> > but have never done it. I have done Penobscot east branch and some
> > rivers in Quebec ..
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<surfunbear.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1156085836.593764.75340@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> Can any one tell me about this river:
>
Sure, I've run it dozens and dozens of times.

> where can I park a car in Vancboro or at the lake 2 days down the river
> ?
> Is it pretty safe in the area ?

I would hire a shuttle driver who will store you car for you and drop it off
the day before you get to takeout, or else leave your vehicle at the takeout
(which is pretty far off the beaten track in the woods). Vanceboro is a
pretty small town, and there's really no 'invisible' place to leave your car
that the local kids might not decide to check it out one night. The town is
fairly safe, but you can never be assured of it being left alone if you left
it for a week....

>
> Would it be feasable to leave a mountain bike at one end or use a
> mountain bike to shuttle myself down the road along the river ? How is
> the road if it rains. I am concerned it could be too muddy in that case
> ?

Hmm, I don't know what road or stretch you are talking about. The usual St
Croix trip starts in Vanceboro (below the dam, at the border crossing post)
and takes out about a week later at Kelleyland on Grand Falls Flowage.
There's no direct road between the two other than Rt 6 and Rt 1, which is a
LONG bicycle shuttle.

>Otherwise how can I get an affordable shuttle ? I am not working
> currently and I seem to recall paying something close to $200 for this
> kind of thing.

Thats about the going rate, sorry. Contact Rob Scribner at Sunrise Canoe and
Kayak (http://www.sunrisecanoeandkayak.com/dir/saintcroix.htm) and see what
he will do for you. He's a very straightforward and helpful guy, and if you
tell him you can't really afford $170 for a shuttle, he might have some
options for you. Tell him Myron sent you.

>
> What are the rapids like if there's been allot of rain, do the wash out
> or become class III/IV ?
> My book is at home, and I am not there.

The biggest rapid is Little Falls, which is rates something like a Class
III, but for the life of me I don't know why. Its a VERY doable class 2+.
Nothing on the Croix is much of a danger, however you do need to be able to
point your boat and keep it straight. Its a great trip for a beginner with
some basic skills (like knowing how to hold a paddle).

>
> I am considering this run this late summer fall if I can arrange it,
> but have never done it. I have done Penobscot east branch and some
> rivers in Quebec ..
>

If you've run the East Branch, you'll find the Croix to be VERY tame. The
water can get low in late summer, but its never so low that you scrape
bottom and cannot get through. Bring your fishing gear, as the river is a
great Black Bass fishery.

--riverman
 >> Stay informed about: St Croix ME 

surfunbear RemoveThis @yahoo.com wrote:
> reverend wrote:
> > It's easiest to get a map for this river.
> > The first class III section (Little Falls) can easily be handled most
> > canoeist, pull off to the left (Canadian side) to scout or for the
> > short portage ( +/- 300 ft).
> >
> > We took out after a 2 day trip at Loone Bay on the Canadian side. There
> > is a public launch/takeout spot there and had now problems with vehicle
> > security. Loone Bay was about 4-5 hrs from Little Falls steady
> > paddling.
> >
> > Shuttle service is available, not sure of the price but think it's less
> > than $100 if not only $50.
> >
> > Jamie
> >
> >
>
> I am on the USA side, I don't need a passport or go through customs to
> do this river ?
> I think take out on the canadian side would be a problem if I don't go
> through customs. I believe I read you can take out on the USA side
> somewhere on that big lake .
>

You don't need a passport to run this river. There is an easement that
allows you to camp in the Canadian side, within a certain distance of
the river. The take out at Kelleyland is in the US, even though its on
river left.

--riverman
 >> Stay informed about: St Croix ME