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Published by SGT Rock
03-21-2005 |
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#2
By
ferryman
on
03-22-2005, 18:58
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2005 AT Kennebec River Ferry Service
The schedule for the upcoming season at the Kennebec River is: May 20 thru July 15; 9-11am, From July 16 thru September 30, the hours are 9-11am and also 2-4pm, and finally from October 1 to October 10, the hours are 10 to 12 noon. 2005 will be our 18th season and we expect to surpass our 16,500th hiker. We are keeping tabs on Ice Bound, a thru hiker who recently crossed into NH. The boats are out of storage and can be made available at a moments notice. Best of Luck to all the class of 2005 on your journey to Katahdin or Springer Mountain. See ya'll at the river, Steve www.riversandtrails.com 207-663-4441 for info
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#3
By
SGT Rock
on
03-22-2005, 19:21
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Quote:
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#6
By
ferryman
on
06-27-2005, 16:37
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Crossing the Kennebec River
The Kennebec River at the Appalachian Trail Crossing changes considerably every year due to several circumstances. Wyman Lake was created when the largest hydro dam in the state was built in the thirties and is 16 miles long, beginning just below the AT crossing. Two water supply dams are upriver, one of which provides over 88,000 megawatts of power yearly throughout the eastern seaboard and elsewhere in the United States. It is automated from Springfield Mass at the New England Power Pool. (1,000 megawatts = 1 million homes and businesses) All three of these dams were recently purchased by Florida Power and Light. Harris Station Dam (Kennebec River) is 18 miles upriver from the AT crossing and is located just below Moosehead Lake, the largest lake located inside any state, east of the Mississippi. Water releases are subject to change without notice due the business of providing peak power at much higher prices $ 24 hours a day. Long Falls Dam (Dead River) is 26 miles above the AT crossing and is located just below Flagstaff Lake, which has a 280 mile radius. These two rivers meet just 6 miles above the AT crossing at The Forks, Maine. During the long and cold winter months, the dams run during the day and usually stop at night. Overnight the water freezes near the river bottom and when the dams open up, the ice is carried downriver and stockpiles at the impoundment area called Wyman Lake, just below the AT crossing. At times, the height of the ice at the AT crossinig is 30 feet or higher with the glaciation of the area including trees impacted every single year. It's a good chance that the rock you stepped on to ford the Kennebec 20 years ago is a half mile downriver resting peacefully under 40 feet of water. HYOH. Steve 'ferryman' Longley ps. Many thanks to all the Appalachian Trail hikers who I have had the privilege and honor to serve since 1987 and whose participation in the ferry service made honors like the AMC Magazine photo possible.
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#7
By
Slim aka Nancy
on
07-19-2005, 09:35
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Kennebec crossing
The Kennebec crossing. I feared it. If I had had to ford I would have somehow bypassed to a bridge even if it meant going upstream many miles. I remember when we hiked Maine in 98 that ahead of us was Smilin Coyote, a girl thru-hiker known for her fast pace and indomitable spirit. She forded it and was nearly washed away. It was good that another thru-hiker saw her and pulled her out. She wrote an article in the ATN warning other hikers to "Please Take the Ferry". Years ago there was only two choices, either ford the river or hike around to cross on a bridge. Alice Ferrence drowned there and I am sure many others. It really is not a river you should challenge. Some win, Some lose.
That's why we have Steve the ferryman. Use his service. Enjoy your hike. Live to see Katahdin. |
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#8
By
Footslogger
on
07-19-2005, 11:15
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Well ...it was kinda obvious to me in 2003, based on how hard we BOTH had to paddle, that an attempt to ford the Kennebec that day would have resulted in a lot of swimming, wet gear and possible injury.
It's easy to sit on the bank and imagine getting across without the canoe ...but I personally had other things that required my energy. 'Slogger AT 2003 |
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#9
By
ferryman
on
07-24-2005, 18:34
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Upwards of 50 Northbounder reach Kennebec River
As of today, about 50 thru-hikers have reached the 2021 mile mark at the Kennebec River. Hiking in Maine got a slow start due to heavy rain, muddy trails and severe bug infestations during the month of May and early June. Now, the weather has been close to perfect with the bugs gone somewhat and with two shifts of 9-11am and 2-4pm at the Kennebec ferry service, the Northbounders have literally been "flying up the trail" thru Maine on their way to their final goal of reaching Katahdin. Southbounder traffic continues to be very consistent with seven potential thru-hikers crossing the Kennebec River headed south today. One hiker, (that I know of) has forded the Kennebec River (trail dog), who intends to break Pete "Cujo" Palmer's record of 49 days from end to end. He was carrying only a few liters of water when he swam across the Kennebec River. 2005, may in fact have the potential to break the record of hiker finishes from Georgia to Maine, but it is still too early to forecast. Florida Power and Light has been running inconsistant water releases from Harris Station Dam, mostly due to peak power demands on eastern seaboard. Today's release was 4,800 cfs from 10am to 5pm. Unannouced releases have kept the water level high at the Kennebec River Crossing. Northbounders crossing on the Kennebec Ferry today include: Leisure (4-6), Shera (4-1), Ranger Supurr Danger (3-14),and Castaway (3-6).
Southbounders today include: Bones, Adam, and Dr Widget (7-11), Abraxas and Theo (brothers 7-10), Mike and Raymond, Maine to HF. Please look for details on Northbounders "Hellboy and Beast" later this week. Safe trails to all! Yours on the trail at the Kennebec River, Steve 'ferryman' Longley |
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#10
By
TJ aka Teej
on
07-25-2005, 13:17
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Thanks for the report, Steve! Interesting to hear about the unannounced releases, and also to see that nobos starting a month apart reached the river on the same day!
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#11
By
Peaks
on
08-25-2005, 16:16
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Steve Longley
Quote:
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#12
By
ferryman
on
02-11-2006, 19:58
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2006 Kennebec River AT Ferry Service
Time to get done to the business of hiking the Appalachian Trail!!
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#14
By
ferryman
on
05-18-2007, 22:07
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Just when you thought it was safe to jump in the river!!!
We started our 20th year at the Kennebec River Ferry today with lots of big water and ice chunks on the riverbanks. Thankfully, there were no hikers who needed to cross today! Last evening, I called the dams which Florida Power and Light operates on both the Kennebec and Dead Rivers located above the AT Crossing. My jaw dropped when I was informed that Harris Station (Kennebec) was running 11,500 cfs all day today and Long Falls Dam (Dead) was running at 6,900 cfs also all day, which brought to a total of 18,400 cfs flowing past the Appalachian Traill crossing and that is not including the hundreds of tributaries that contribute to the onslaught. Throw in temps at 41 degrees and water temps at 41 degrees also and you have all the ingrediants for living life on the line. We are now at 17,868 safe hiker crossings since 1987 and getting ready for tomorrow's river fury. Chances are...we are not sleeping very well tonite considering our impending nervousness should any hiker wish to cross the Kennebec River Appalachian Trail tomorrow, but you know... just add one part respect, one part experience and one part Irish Luck and we are home free! Steve the ferryman
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#15
By
warraghiyagey
on
05-19-2007, 03:30
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Best of luck Steve. See you in about 4 weeks - SOBO.
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