Piscataquis, E. Branch

Source: Greg and Sue Hanlon's Steep Creeks of New England, which has more info on this run. Text used with permission.

Directions: From Greenville, head South on Rte. 6/15 about 6 miles to Upper Shirley Corner. Bang a right onto Shirley Mills Rd. and continue 1.4 miles to Shirley Pond. The pond is on the right; the dam, on the left. Put in below the dam on river left.

To takeout: head back toward 6/15. About 50 yards from the dam, take your first right onto an old railroad bed / logging road. Drive about 2.3 miles to a small stream crossing under the road and a cabin on the left. The low-water takeout is where this stream meets the East Branch. To get to the high-water takeout, which adds 1.3 miles to the trip, continue on the logging road and take a right down a steep washed-out logging road. Park and take out in the clearing where a small trail leads to the river.

UPDATED DIRECTIONS: The logging road (B&A Railroad Road) and North Blanchard/Shirly Road are rarely passable in the Spring when the Piscataquis is running, due to poor road conditions, snow mounds and gates.  Hiking out through the snow and mud is long and tedious, though possible.  Instead of hiking out or getting stuck in the mud, drive to the center of Blanchard via route 15 through Monson.  Takeout at the bridge in the center of town (Blanchard Road).  There is a long flatwater paddle to get to Blanchard, but if you prefer to ride your boat rather than have your boat ride you, this is the way to go.  Put-in is still below the dam at Shirley Lake.  Here is a GoogleMap.<

...