Cheap Thrills on the Kennebec River

Magic Falls Rafting Co. in West Forks, Maine has designed a rafting trip for Maine vacationers who want to experience the white water excitement of Maine’s wilderness rivers unhurried  and inexpensively.   Many Maine vacationers place whitewater rafting on their “must-do” activities list but often find that the early arrival time of 8:30 to 9 am at an outfitter’s base camp requires a very early departure time from their camping or lodging location. An all day rafting trip usually means an early morning wake-up call that doesn’t fit the visitor’s idea of a leisurely vacation.

Says Dave Neddeau, owner of Magic Falls Rafting, “I’ve been asked over and over by our guests – why can’t we just take a half day trip and not feel rushed to arrive so early in the morning?  I have to explain that federal regulations only allow for guaranteed rafting levels from 10 am to 1 pm and there’s always the possibility that in the afternoon with a lower water release, we’d be stuck on the rocks!”

Dave realized that his out-of-state guests were most interested in the Class III-IV rapids of the Upper Kennebec Gorge and what he terms a “natural theme park ride”.   He came up with a no frills trip on the first six miles of the Kennebec ending with take-out at Carry Brook,  half way down the river.   Rafters can now arrive at 10:15 am,  gear up, complete their safety and paddling  orientation , board the Magic bus for put-in at Harris Station, raft the exciting Upper Kennebec  Gorge and return by bus to Magic Falls base by early afternoon.   Rafters can leisurely drive back to their Maine vacation destination in time for dinner.

For the 2013 season this Upper Gorge Trip is offered on Thursdays June 27 through August 29.  The trip is available any midweek day Mondaythrough Friday for groups of 12 or more.   The price for the “Cheap Thrills Thursday” trip is $49 including all access fees.   Information and reservations are available on line at www.magicfalls.com or by phoning 1-800-207-7238.