West Branch of the Penobscot/Lobster Lake

[eckilson]

Just back from my first trip on the West Branch of the Penobscot. We put in at Lobster Stream and took out at Umbazooksus West in the northeast corner of Lake Chesuncook - 5 days, 4 nights with a stop at Lobster Lake. Weather was fine - sunny and windy during the day, chilly at night, but very few bugs. We pretty much had the place to ourselves – didn’t see anyone else until day four on Lake Chesuncook. The area is beautiful – pictures don’t do it justice.

You can read my trip report here, but if you have a few minutes (23:35 to be exact) check out Aaron’s video.

Not only is he a good paddler and tripper, he makes really good videos as well.

 

[Neophyte]

I like the report, thanks for sharing. It sounds like a fantastic trip. I'll certainly check out the video later.

 

[Robin]

Not only is he a good paddler and tripper, he makes really good videos as well

Thanks for the heads up, you’re right, he did an excellent job on that video, very entertaining and informative about the area. Very respectful to the First Nations people too.
Yea, he is a pretty good paddler also.
Your write up and pics are very good also. Thanks

 

[Art D]

Just missed you. I’m just back from a trip that combined the Allagash Loop (cheat start at Umbazooksus) and the Allagash River. Yes, we had some cold nights with a hard frost in the morning. I’ll post a trip report soon, but will only have a few photos.

 

[Riffle-Raff]

Thanks for bringing us along. The cinematography and narration were excellent.

 

[Gamma1214]

You've got some great pictures and I really enjoyed the write-up.

Not only is he a good paddler and tripper, he makes really good videos as well.

He certainly is. Nothin' fancy, just good boat control.

I like that his video is similar: Good visuals, great narration, informative yet easy to watch.

Well done by both of you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[snapper]

Thanks for the preview. My wife and I will be doing this trip in August. It's a route I've wanted to experience for many years so I'm glad it will finally happen. The video is a great appetizer and I look forward to reading your trip report when I get a moment.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[eckilson]

Thanks for the preview. My wife and I will be doing this trip in August.

I'd love to do it in the summer. Definitely spend some time at Lobster Lake - the beaches there are great. Our original plan was to spend a day on Lobster Lake and hike up Lobster Mountain. With the wind, we decided to head downstream and do a lay-over day at Pine Stream instead. That was nice as well. We lucked out on the weather - windy, but that kept the bugs down. Hopefully it will be nice in August. I'll be interested to hear if it is crowded.

 

[ReluctantFarmer]

Sounds like a great trip. I’ve also been eyeing this one for August or early September, probably with the same outfitter vans (as slate roads scare my thin car tires).

 

[eckilson]

I’ve also been eyeing this one for August or early September, probably with the same outfitter vans (as slate roads scare my thin car tires).

I bought a used rim for my Subaru Forester so I would have a full sized spare just in case. Last fall on a trip to the Allagash, I got a flat tire on the way in. No problem, put on my full size spare. On the way out, I got another flat tire. I drove 40-miles on the donut spare, and somehow made it out.

Getting shuttled both ways is expensive, but so are tires, and they don't make 10-ply tires for my Forester.

 

[ReluctantFarmer]

I bought a used rim for my Subaru Forester so I would have a full sized spare just in case. Last fall on a trip to the Allagash, I got a flat tire on the way in. No problem, put on my full size spare. On the way out, I got another flat tire. I drove 40-miles on the donut spare, and somehow made it out.

Getting shuttled in both ways is expensive, but so are tires, and they don't make 10-ply tires for my Forester.

I’m driving a WRX and they literally don’t come with spares anymore, not even a donut. I might get one this year but it’ll mean buying an OEM wheel and needing to do 5-wheel rotation to keep the 4WD happy. In the mean time I’m avoiding the Golden Road like a plague.

Getting shuttled in both ways is expensive,

It’s expensive enough that I’ve sortof considered dropoff/pickup by float plane instead, but the popular one is on the Golden Road so we’re back to my tire problem.

 

[eckilson]

Second part of my flat tire story...

I'm on the side of the road emptying the back so I can get to the spare when a truck (F250 with huge tires) pulls up. The window comes down and a lady sticks her head out and says "Everything OK, need to make a call?". I said "No, I'm fine. I'm digging out the spare and my buddy is up ahead. He'll turn around and come back as soon as he realizes I'm not behind him." She nods, looks at the car, looks at me and says "You know, you really shouldn't be out here with that car and those tires." She didn't say it, but I know she wanted to add "you dummy!". I said something like "live and learn". She nodded and drove off.

Thank god she didn't see me pulling out the donut.