Sheepscot
Reversing Falls
| Difficulty | I |
| Length | 0.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 16, 2020 |
2020 Access Update: The Grange Hall is under new ownership, and the intention is to turn it into a grange museum of sorts. We're trying to build and keep a good relationship with the owner, and they would prefer that we park across the road rather than right next to the building.
This is a tidal falls like Cohasset in Mass. and Blue Hill Falls in Hancock County, ME. Two wave holes are made by the tidal rip in a narrowing area pinched by two peninsulas (see the red 'target' symbol in the attached TopoZone map, about 0.3 miles South of the bridge). In contrast to Cohasset, the fun here happens on an outgoing tide (which tends to make the water warmer than Maine ocean water). The higher the tide, the better, according to pjbuehner of the Northeast Paddlers' Massage Board. He also recommends driving slowly and being friendly in town. If you park at the Grange Hall by the bridge, and make the short paddle over to the Falls, you should be okay.
See the Trip Report in the NPMB Board for more info. But be warned that the Falls Road putin can be problematic; again, parking at the Grange Hall is a better option.
Oct 31, 2009
My name is Joan Thompson and I have purchased the home in the background in the photos of the reversing falls in Sheepscot, Maine. I have torn the house down and built a new home designed by my husband William Thompson, architect (former resident architect of Colonial Willliamsburg). We will be opening a B&B, tear room/baker and antique shop here. We would be happy to rent rooms to kayakers , with gourmet breakfast included, eggs fresh from the chicken coop and picnic baskets for lunch on the shore. Please keep a look out. We will open summer of 2010.
Sep 21, 2009
CMacleod
I have not seen porpoises but this weekend we shared the the spot with a sunning seal. As we approached it was sunning itself on the river left ledge. We floated through the middle of the rapid and hung out lower in the eddy. It watched us and slipped into the water, then swam up the rapid a couple of times before climbing back up on the ledge and continued sunning. It kept one eye on us for a while as we came up the eddy to play. As the water dropped and the seal was elevated above us it paid less attention. Eventually there were six paddlers using the eddy. Combining with the great water (tide 10.5 ft.) and great fall weather, it was a magical afternoon.
Jan 11, 2007
I have heard rumors from a couple sources that the porpoises will congregate and play in the waves here. Pods of these marine mammals are common on the coast in the summer and early fall. They tend not to be afraid of boats without motors. Also, I once saw a harbor seal sunning itself on the ledges nearby.
Jan 1, 1900
Check out the full-sized version of this photo by clicking here.
Jan 1, 1900
Capitan America decided to dress up in retro gear
and surf the ol' aluminum canoe at the wave. In the
words of the kayakers we met: 'Did someone lose a
bet?'
Skillful paddling led to an uneventful afternoon. So
they decided to dump. Note Marcus's feet, and the
paddle that he isn't holding onto.
