Allagash Falls was such a high point that leaving it made us remember that our remaining days were numbered. The river developed a sameness with regards to its navigation, but the northern landscape was different, with fewer evergreens and brighter colors. For the first time, we spotted elm trees, a species that had been wiped out at home. The different regions of the river had provided us with a kaleidoscope of change over the six preceding days.

It should be noted that the paddling was always interesting, and although we saw a lot of similar stretches of river, it was never drudgery.

Our only stop along today’s route was to refill our water jugs. When we did this on Day 3, we filled from a hose that was linked to a spring further away. The spring we were using to refill today was on the right bank of the river and provided a constant drip of clear potable water.

Our camp for the night was at East Twin Brook. It was clouding over, and for the first time our guides covered the table and cook area with tarps. Rain was predicted overnight, and we had continued our streak of fair-weather days, never once paddling in the rain.

After camp was set up, Lani gave us a demonstration of poling a canoe. This technique is primarily used to move a canoe upstream, against the current, but it works downstream as well (“snubbing”). We had an opportunity to try this new skill, and it was fun attempting to power a boat without a paddle.

Dinner was chicken-a-la-king (not out of a can!). We had fresh-baked cookies for dessert. It did rain overnight, but everyone was warm and dry in their tents.

Sixth Day in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway – A Gallery

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