Cold Stream
Tomhegan Stream to Kennebec R.
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 13.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 65 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 8, 2010 |
River Description
Source: Greg and Sue Hanlon's Steep Creeks of New England, which has more info on this run.
The listed gradient is for the 8.5 miles on Cold Stream, not counting the 3 miles on the Kennebec River.
Posted on the MVP message board by Phil Urban on 5/6/03
This is meant as a little celebration/appreciation of a great day on the water.
We got some rain last week, in Maine, which set us up perfectly for some creeking this past weekend. Did the usual calling around and ended up with a party of six of us that have paddled together in different formulations for the last six years or so. I hadn't paddled with a couple of the guys for several years. We met up in the Forks at 8:45 AM and I live 3 hours from there so you can do the math. I didn't get enough sleep. The Forks is a cool town. Its an historic place set at the confluence of the Dead and the Kennebec. Benedict Arnold labored up the Dead with his troops and long boats on his way to Canada but these daze it's a rafting/paddling Mecca. I always see old friends there that are in the same state of eager anticipation as me. Local folks that feel like old friends are still running shuttles and taking yer buck for that last cup of coffee before you hit the river. It's a cool place.
We set up a fairly complicated shuttle system (at least it seemed complicated with 6 guys contributing to the plan) I happily stepped out of that process. The plan was to catch two creeks with the second dumping into the Dead River that was running at a big 7000 cfs spring release. Somehow I had not paddled either of these creeks so I was going to catch two PFDs (personal first descents) in one day, as were two of the other guys. It was 60 degrees, the sun was shining, we had a great group, two new creeks were waiting; it was the very definition of a superb day about to unfold.
The first creek was Cold Stream which joins the Ken
...River Features
Map of the Forks Maine
Map Key
1. WebbÂs Dead River Campground & Shuttle Service: Shuttles to the Dead put in, campground with showers. To book a site at Webb's campground or shuttle call River Drivers to make the reservations. That phone number is: 207-663-4475. The cost is $8.00 per person, per night, plus 7% State tax.
2. AppletonÂs restaurant: Pizza, subs, ice cream, breakfast (207) 663-2114 .
3. River Drivers: Rafting, etc 207-663-4475.
4. Paddling shop: Dead River Outfitters
5. BerryÂs General Store: Gas, Beer, food, supplies, pizza, subs
6. The Ball field campground: Primitive campsites, porta-poties, no showers. Take out for Lower Kennebec.
7. Crab Apple Camping Rafting, hot tub, bar, food.
8. Public Picnic area: also used as Lower Kennebec take out.
9. The Marshall Hotel (Hotel Cocktails): Food, bar, horse shoes, pool table.
10. Dead River takeout.
11. Majic Falls Rafting: Raft trips, camping
12. Three Rivers Whitewater & Kelly Brook campground
13. Northern Outdoors Camping, Rafting, restaurant, hot tub, bar, entertainment
14. North Country Rivers Rafting, etc.
15. Professional River Runners: Rafting, etc.
16. New England Outdoor Center: Rafting, paddling shop, etc.
17. Indian Pond campground
Not on map:
Moxie Gore cabins: : $30 per night
Moxie Outdoor Outfitters: 866-663-2646 Large cabins $75 per night
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportthere is a new bridge at the putin so the old guage is gone. Luckily there is a big flat rock in the middle of the river where u putin. If it's several inches underwater the level is high, completely covered, med, and 3/4 covered is about as low as you want to run it but still a lot of fun. Can take out a mile or so below the autoboof 12'er or continue to the Kennebec. If you take option 2 there is a couple significant drops you'll encounter, one of which has a pretty gnarly hole in it
Colin McGovern
Deep hole, Pat explores the physics of aerated water.
One of several waterfalls on Cold Stream.