The Kennebec Explorer 2014 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 54
THE FORKS and Caratunk
Hike to a waterfall. Ride the rapids. Land a big one. Spot a moose.
Millions of gallons of water are churning beneath you. Down
you go and then up again. You are hurled up over the brow
of a massive white wall of water. Tension mounts as you
slam back down. Something called a “taco” happens. Then
screams of delight erupt from all your raft mates. This is
an appropriate welcome to The Forks.
The Forks is the home of whitewater rafting in Maine and is
the reason many people come to explore the region. Located
at the confluence of the Dead and Kennebec Rivers, it is the
starting point for an experience of a lifetime.
The 12-mile Kennebec River trip begins upriver on Indian Pond
and roars spectacularly through the Upper Kennebec Gorge,
with rapids up to Class IV. Even more challenging, the Dead River
provides the longest stretch of continuous whitewater in the East.
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There are many rafting companies and guides located in the area,
each well suited for different kinds of passengers. In fact, several
offer good-quality accommodations in addition to home-cooked
meals and an experienced crew. But do your homework and plan
ahead; the choice weekends are often booked long in advance.
Several of these providers have expanded their services to include
guided ATV tours, mountain biking treks, rock climbing, moose
safaris and snowshoeing trips. The Forks is a year-round destination
for hunters and anglers, but come winter, the snowmobilers arrive.
If you are coming all this way, don’t forget to stop at Moxie Falls,
Maine’s highest and some say, most beautiful waterfall. Bring a
towel, too, because there is a rockin’ swimming hole a hundred
feet or so down from the main drop.
To learn more about The Forks and Caratunk, visit KennebecValley.org.