NFCT-Waterway Work Trip Holeb Falls Portage, Moose River, ME Stone Staircase July 5-9, 2017

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1 NFCT-Waterway Work Trip Holeb Falls Portage, Moose River, ME Stone Staircase July 5-9, 2017 Introduction: The Moose River Bow Trip is a 3 to 4 day paddle that can be completed in a loop by connecting Attean and Holeb Ponds via a 1.2 mile portage. The Moose River near Jackman, Maine is a generally slow flowing river with a few easily navigable rips along its course. The accessibility of this trip lends itself to be very popular among school groups and families during the summer months. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is working closely with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands to measure and manage the impacts of users on this paddling resource. On this project we will be building a staircase out of stone along the Holeb Falls Portage. This project will be a continuation of work completed earlier in the summer by our stewardship crews during their skills training at this same location. We will utilize stones from the immediate area to create this durable, lasting descent into the Holeb Falls campsites. In total the staircase will contain steps. This WWT is longer than the typical work trip and will include more paddling. The project is also more labor intensive than most of our WWTs. If you have any questions don t hesitate to reach out to Walter at (802) ext.2 or Will at (843) Driving Directions and Meeting Location: We will meet at Bishop s Store (gas station) in Jackman at 5pm on Wednesday 7/5 and caravan/carpool to the Put-in on Holeb Pond. There will be a spot in Jackman to park any cars that do not want to drive to the site. From the South: Jackman is Approximately 3 hrs from Portland, ME. Head North on Hwy hours from Skowhegan. Bishops Store is on the Left in the center of town across from the Bishops Motel. Follow this link for a Google Map of the Project: Camping and Facilities: We will camp at a primitive campsite located at the base of the Holeb Falls Portage. This campsite is the base for our work project and the stone staircase we are building is located nearby. This is a very nice location to camp near the bottom of Holeb Falls and adjacent to a large pool that can be enjoyed for fishing or swimming alike. There is a 10 mile paddle in from Holeb Pond to access the site and approximately 5 miles paddling out. There is an privy located near the campsite and our campsite will include a fire ring and picnic table. The Stewardship crew will establish a kitchen and facilitate meals with the group. It is recommended that you bring camping gear with you. If you have any camping gear

2 needs please contact NFCT Trail Director, Walter Opuszynski at or by dialing (802) x2, we may be able to lend you what you need. Food: This year we will have corporate sponsorship to cover food expenses associated with WWTs. NFCT interns will prepare meals. Meals will range from burritos to apple-walnut pancakes. We will have drinking water, tea and coffee available. You are welcome to bring extras to contribute. Please notify us of any food preferences/allergies by sending an to What to Bring: Camping gear (including, rain gear, a tent, eating utensils, dishes, cup, flashlight, etc.) Work gloves Water bottle Paddling gear Personal carpentry tools, if you have your own favorites We will provide: Tools Food Group cooking gear Paddling: Paddling opportunities abound in the region! Potential trips include exploring the Moose River from Jackman to Rockwood, as well as completing the Bow Loop. During the work trip, we will paddle approximately 10 miles along the Moose River to access the Holeb Falls Portage. This stretch of river is calm with a mild current pushing us downstream. Once we get to Holeb Falls, we will portage the Holeb Falls trail to get to our campsite and work location. On the last day, there will also be a 5 mile paddle to Spencer Rips where we will take out. Spencer rips is a small rapid at the end of our trip that can be lapped a few times before leaving if desired. WWT Project Description: This work trip will be a real backcountry adventure on one of Maine s famous canoe routes. The work will be taking place in the heart of the Moose River Bow Trip at the Holeb Falls Portage. Our first day will be spent setting up a shuttle and preparing our gear to paddle to Holeb Falls. We will likely stay Wednesday night at a campsite at the put-in on Holeb Falls. Thursday morning will be spent paddling into the site from Holeb Pond and setting up camp adjacent to the staircase project at the Holeb Falls Campsites. After Lunch, we will get to work orienting volunteers to the staircase project and teaching skills needed for the remainder of the weekend. Friday and Saturday will be spent utilizing a variety of tools and techniques to assemble the stone staircase. To complete the staircase we will be collecting rocks from the surrounding areas and using a variety of techniques to move and place the stones. Rock bars, rope winches, and high lines will be used to

3 maneuver stones. There will be many different steps to take place from finding suitable stones, moving them to the worksite, shaping the stones, and fitting them in place. Figure 1. Example of a stone staircase built in Stark, NH last year

4 Bow Loop Holeb Falls Portage Staircase Waterway Work Trip Schedule Wednesday 7/5 5:00 pm: Rendezvous with NFCT interns at Bishop s General Store in Jackman, ME 5:00-6:00: Drive to Holeb Pond Campsite, set up camp 6:00: Campsite orientation 6:30: Dinner and group introduction Thursday 7/6 8:30-12:30 pm: Paddle to Holeb Falls Campsite 12:30-1:30 pm: Lunch 1:30-5:00: Project Orientation and skills training 5:00-6:30: Break! Relax in camp, swim, fish, or explore Friday 7/7 8:30-12:00 pm: Assemble stone staircase 12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch 1:00-4:00 pm: Assemble stone Staircase 4:00-6:30 pm: Break! Hike to Holeb Falls and explore the many river channels Saturday 7/8 8:30-12:00 pm: Assemble stone staircase 12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch 1:00-4:00 pm: Assemble stone Staircase 4:00-6:30 pm: Break! Swim in the river or catch fish for dinner Sunday 7/9 7am-8am: Breakfast 8:00-9:00 am: Break Camp 9:00-11:00 am: Paddle the Moose River to Spencer Rips 11:00-12:00 pm: Return to Jackman 12-12:30 pm: Lunch and depart!

5 **Schedule and project descriptions may change. You will be notified as we get closer to the WWT if this happens** Please fill out and return all Waterway Work Trip Forms by June 2nd. Figure 2. Overview Map of project area