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Do not attempt to ford the river. Please use the Ferry Service.
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NOTICE
MAINE APPALACHIAN TRAIL USERS
INFORMATION ON
KENNEBEC RIVER FERRY
The Kennebec River is the most formidable unbridged crossing along the entire 2,168-mile A.T. The Kennebec is approximately 70 yards wide with a swift, powerful current under the best of circumstances. However, as a result of releases of water from hydro facilities upstream, the depth and current of the river surge quickly and unpredictably. You cannot cross faster than the water level rises.
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The Maine Appalachian Trail Club and the Appalachian Trail Conference have contracted with Rivers and Trails Northeast, Inc. to provide a scheduled ferry service across the Kennebec River at the A. T. crossing at no cost to hikers.
The Kennebec Ferry 2007 will operate daily from:
May 18 through July 13
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
July 14 through September 30
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
October 1 through October 8
10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
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This ferry service - not fording - is the officially sanctioned means of crossing the Kennebec River on the Appalachian Trail. The A.T. was located here originally because of the existence of a ferry to provide access to Pierce Pond for visiting sportsmen.
Hikers must meet the ferry on either the east or west banks of the Kennebec River at the point of the A.T. crossing. If the ferry is on the opposite side, a signal flag will be provided to alert the ferry operator.
Hikers will be required to sign a release form, wear a life jacket, and follow the instructions of the ferry operator. If river conditions or weather make the crossing dangerous in the judgment of the ferry operator, the service will be discontinued until conditions improve.
Large groups please call ahead to indicate when you will need the ferry service.
No camping and no fires are permitted within the Trail corridor on either side of the Kennebec River. Camping and fires are permitted only at designated campsites.
Donations to help defray the cost of providing this contracted, scheduled service are welcome. Send your donation to M.A.T.C., PO Box 283, Augusta, ME 04332.
From May 20 through October 10 no one will be ferried outside of scheduled hours. Before May 20 and after October 10, please contact Rivers & Trails Northeast to arrange a time to be ferried.
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Email:
stevelongley@midmaine.com
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This service is provided only for users of the Appalachian Trail and is not available to the general public.
Happy Hiking! - MAINE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB and
APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONFERENCE
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Since 1987, over 14,000 Appalachian Trail hikers have taken advantage of free Kennebec River ferry service. - 1987-230; 1988-340;
1989-450; 1990-520; 1991-643;
1992-713; 1993-750; 1994-891; 1995-985;
1996-1,041;
1997-1,070; 1998-1,101; 1999-1,351; 2000-1,381;
2001-1,414;
2002-1,301; 2003- retired; 2004-1,295; 2005-1,268; 2006 1,146.
2005 Connecting The Trail By Dave Sherwood
2006 Kennebec River AT Ferry Service Final Report
The Ferryman - By Brad Viles
All content © 2000-2007
by Rivers and Trails Northeast, Inc.
Updates - KBWebDesign - SKOWHEGAN.COM
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