Whitewater Run ME Class IV-V

Oakes Bog to Blanchard

Piscataquis, W. Branch

Linked via: Nhdplus discovery 90% confidence Synced 3mo ago

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Gauge Conditions
Runnable: ? – ? CFS
Approximate reading: This gauge is 6.1 miles away on Piscataquis. Use as a general reference only.
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Description
River info provided by Nate Warren: DIRECTIONS: Takeout at the bridge over the Piscataquis in the center of Blanchard, the same spot as the East Piscataquis takeout.  As an alternate to the Crossover Road put-in, follow West Rd. westbound out of Shirley.  This will turn into CCC road.  If you can make it to the junction of CCC road and Clouse Allen Road (where gates & snow may hinder you), you are near the put in.  Hike west down hill on CCC road until you find the bridge across the river.  This upper put-in would also be a great place to camp.  From here, enjoy the flatwater, birds and scenery as you meander through miles of Quebec-esque wilderness.  Use this GoogleMap as a reference. DESCRIPTION: The West Branch of the Piscataquis is a long river run with epic flat sections, long, continuous class 3 sections, a few class four rapids thrown in for fun, and one very solid class 5 (Hell Hole), about 3/4 of the way down.  Hell hole is a 10 foot ledge funneling into a very deep and violent hole.  Scout or portage on the left.  Just below is a IV-V double ledge drop, then more continuous boogie water down to the confluence with the East Pis above Blanchard.  Though not as challenging as the East Pis, this is a great wilderness river run with a few fun and challenging rapids. Put-in & Takeout coordinate info from John Porterfield
Difficulty
Class IV-V
Length
10.0 mi
Rapids
0
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater