The Kennebec Explorer 2015 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 55
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 hurtled 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 raftmates. This is an
appropriate welcome to The Forks. 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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Learn more at KennebecValley.org 53