Recreation
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THE ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER boating,
fishing, picnicking
Thanks to a 1000 foot drop from its headwaters
to the sea, the Androscoggin has an average
descent of 8 feet per mile. It is a swift flowing,
large-volume river which provides an excellent
source of power. That geographical fact led
the area to become a hotbed of industry during
the industrial revolution. While the Androscoggin
provided power for a multitude of mills and
factories, it also bore the brunt of industrialization.
Like many other communities in America , industry
has waned. Though that has created stress on
the local economy, it also has opened up many
recreational possibilities. Once named one
of the ten most polluted rivers in the country,
the Androscoggin River has made an incredible
comeback.
Scene from
t he
Source to Sea Canoe Trek Today,
the river has countless boat put-ins along
its entire length. Bald eagles have become
a very common sight in the area, and recreation
on the river is flourishing. A canoe ride on
most any stretch of the river reveals a world
of beauty and tranquility. You may see an eagle
harassing an osprey for its catch, or a kingfisher,
fish for its brood in mouth, sitting on an
exposed branch, and later, skimming along in
beeline flight, firing off its "rat-tat-tat" call.
You might see a green heron under an overhanging
bank, crouched motionless on a branch, watching
warily as you float by. On ponded stretches,
great blue herons sit statue-still, stalking
fish fry in the shallows. But not to worry,
there's plenty of fish to go around. Indeed
the Androscoggin boasts some of the best bass
fishing in the northeast! For the fly fisherman
who wants a real challenge, wily brown trout
lurk in the riffles. You may see a gaggle of
kids fishing with worms below Riley dam, and
on the other end of the spectrum you might
see a fly fishing class being conducted by
LL Bean near Pine Island If you are in the area in mid-summer there
is an excellent chance to partake of an annual
ritual on the river: The Source to Sea Canoe
Trek. The Trek is sponsored by the Androscoggin
Watershed Council. Each July, the Council organizes
this flotilla, traversing the river from its
source in New Hampshire to its end in Merrymeeting
Bay . The trek generally comes through our
area in late July, and is broken into easily-done
sections of around ten miles of mostly flat-water
paddling. The Council provides the necessary
equipment; all you need do is reserve a spot,
then show up! It's a great way to experience
the river.and it's free! For schedule information:
http://www.avcnet.org/arwc/trek.html.
The natural wonder that is the Androscoggin
River is an untapped treasure waiting to be
discovered. Go find it!
Canoeing
the Androscoggin
Dixfield River Access-
Pine Island/Snoopy River Access Flatwater
This is a little-paddled section of the river,
moving through corn and potato fields, hardwood-lined
banks and back. There is one portage around
Riley Dam. After the Pine Island River access,
there is no public access to the river upstream
of the Livermore Falls Dam. Paddlers wishing
to continue downstream must transport their
boats downstream of the Livermore Falls Dam.
Foundry
Road Put-In Livermore Falls-Twin
Bridges Flatwater-Class
2+
Silver maples and other hardwoods dominate
the river here. No bridges or nearby roads
make this piece of the Androscoggin one of
the most peaceful. Two sets of rapids are midway
down, not hazardous, but take some boat control
to maneuver through successfully. Warning:
On river right downstream of the Twin Bridges
there is a substantial ledge drop rapid. Take
out on island and portage around rapids. At
some water levels the channel along river left
is runnable.
Here are local access points, all
provided by Verso Paper Company:
Riley Dam River Access/PORTAGE
On the north/east side (river left), on Rt.
140 next to the Jay/Canton town line. Both
upstream and downstream access is available
here,
Verso Mill/Pine Island River Access/PORTAGE
On Route 4, follow signs for Verso Mill, crossing
river on POW Remembrance Bridge ( Riley Rd.
) Turn right to go upstream, and access is
on the right. Pine Island is a picnic area/boat
access, more easily used for downstream access.
There is no public access downriver from Pine
Island .
Livermore Falls Dam River Access
Access is on the west side of the river (
Livermore side), south of Rt. 4 bridge on River
Rd. First is a signed anglers and kayaker's
access. On Livermore Falls side is the Foundry
put in, on Foundry road. Take right off route
4 northbound immediately after bridge. Travel
through parking lot behind town offices, and
then take left onto foundry road and travel
approximately .3 miles.
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Fishing
The Androscoggin River in this area boasts some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the northeast. Brown trout are also taken, as well as brook and rainbow trout.
Bartlett Pond, Livermore (fishing)
26
acres, max depth 26 ft
Brook trout, rainbow smelt. Heavy annual Brook
Trout stocking; reclaimed pond. No formal boat
put in or parking.
Round Pond, Livermore
(fishing, boating, swimming,
picnicking)
166 acres, max depth 32 ft
Brown Trout, Smallmout
Bass, Pickerel , White Perch
Annually stocked with Brook and Brown trout,
Round Pond offers ample off the road parking
in a beautiful wooded parcel called "The
Pines"
Long Pond, Livermore (fishing
boating swimming picnicking)
203 acres, max
depth 18 ft
Annually stocked with book and brown
trout. The parking at Long Pond is close
to the road so be extra careful as you load
and unload. Brettuns Pond (fishing
boating swimming picnicking)
154 acres max
depth 52 feet
Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, White Perch.
Annual stocking with brook and brown trout.
Nice boat put in and picnic area in a pine
grove
Moose Hill Pond, Livermore falls (fishing)
96 acres, max Depth 42 feet
Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch,
Sunfish
Water source for Livermore Falls , no
motorized boats or swimming. Please cooperate
with the Livermore Falls Water District.
Parker Pond, Jay (fishing, boating)
102 acres, max depth 26 feet
Smallmouth Bass,
White Perch, Chain Pickerel, Sunfish
Seven Mile Stream in Jay
Take Route 4 in North Jay, take
Route 17 across from the fire station. A mile
or so up on the left hand side, just after
a right hand curve in the road, in Morse Hill
Road. Turn left and you will see the bridge
over Seven Mile Stream.
Fruit Picking
Ruperts Strawberry Farm. Follow Route 4 South to Turner, turn right on Fern Street, go approximately 4 miles.
Kents Hill Orchard, Inc. has strawberries and apples on Rout 17, Kents Hill.
Stevenson’s Strawberry Farm for strawberries on Berry Road in Wayne.
Steep Hill Farm has blueberries on Lovejoy Pond Road in Fayette.
Wells Farm has raspberries which is located on Robinson Road in Livermore, after crossing bridge at Livermore Falls going south on Route 4, take sharp left onto River Road. Go three miles and take a right onto Robinson Road. The farm is one fourth of a mile on the left.
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Golf Courses
Maple Lane Golf Club |
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Maple Lane Golf Club Maple Lane, off the River Road in Livermore, 207-897-6666, nine holes. http://www.maplelaneinn.com/golf.html Turner Highlands, North Parish Road in Turner 207-224-7060, eighteen holes.
Wilson Lake Country Club, Weld Road in Wilton 207-645-2016, nine holes.
Springbrook Golf Club, Route 202 in Leeds, 207-946-5900.
Hiking
Livermore to Canton, enter at the bottom Berry Hill on Route 4, go about a mile and a half, hike about two and a half to three miles, beautiful white pines and a 1700’s cemetery.
In the Wayne/Winthrop Area there is a 1 1/2 to mile path that circles the Ladd Recreational Center. There are benches and picnic tables in the area. Take route 4 out of Livermore Falls and go straight at the light onto Route 133. Follow Route 133 out of Livermore Falls. When you reach Wayne Village, the post office will be on your right. You’ll pass a church on the left and library on the right. Take the next right marked with a sign reading “Ladd Center”. You can’t miss the trail.
North Jay White Granite Park
The park has picnic tables and benches throughout, and a great one-mile trail that meanders through the orchard. There is also a small outlet trail from the orchard that brings you to a small quarry that is still being worked today. Large pieces of granite, and paving stones are scattered throughout the site.
Pine Island Park
Pine Island Park is a lovely park situated in the middle of the Androscggin River, with a picnic area, ample parking and short side trails leading to picturesque outlooks on the river. There is also a public boat put-in. The park is owned and maintained by International Paper Company and available for public use. Access is off the Riley Road.
HOURS: Dawn to dusk
French Falls River Walk
Created by the Jay High School Adult Education in 1996. It features two short loops of .5 and .75 miles respectively. The trails wind down behind the recreation fields and provide lovely views along the river.
Nature Preserves
Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary, in Lewiston, is minutes away from Livermore and Turner one of New England's largest bird sanctuaries. Access from Highland Springs Road off Sabattus Street.
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Parks and Recreation
French Falls
At French Falls there are picnic tables, a basketball hoop, ball fields, walking paths, and in the winter the fields are flooded to provide skating.
Location: The end of French Falls Drive in Jay (click for map)
Jay Parks and Recreation, contact the town office at 207-897-6785. Livermore Falls Recreation Department, 207-897-2016
Sightseeing/Road Trips
- Route 17,
Livermore Falls to Readfield and Augusta, travel east on Route 17, scenic lake views, picturesque family cemeteries, shaded country road, historic houses in Readfield and Kents Hill, great view when approaching Kents Hill School.
- Route 108 and 117
From North Livermore to Route 4 in Turner, close up look at quaint New England houses, hillside apple orchards, beautiful old farms, cultivated fields, view from high above the valley, small detour in Livermore onto Norlands Road and Norlands Living History Center. Soules Hill, East Jay (Chesterville line).
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Take Route 4 across from Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington to Rt. 156 (or you can come up Rt. 133 from Livermore Falls). Take a left and the next right onto the Soules Hill Rd. At the top, you will see a grand view during every season. In summer and spring, see wondrous shades of green. Electric colors including rich reds, deep amber, pumpkin orange, and royal purple can be seen in September and October.
Franklin Heritage Loop |
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- The Franklin Heritage Loop includes over 100 sites in Farmington, Rangeley Lakes Region and Sugarloaf. Visitors and residents are welcome to explore the natural and historic features. Hiking, Canoeing, hunting and fishing, swimming, skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling will interest outdoor enthusiasts. Beginning in Farmington on Route 27, the loop travels through New Vinyard, New Portland, Kingfield, Carrabassett Valley, Sugarloaf, Stratton, onto Route 4 through Madrid, Phillips, Strong, Fairbanks, and returning to Farmington. Historical and recreational sites are accessible from the Loop in Carthage, Chesterville, Jay, Livermore Falls, New Sharon, Temple, Weld, Wilton, Chain of Ponds, Coburn Cove, Eustis, Adamstown, Byron, Cupsuptic, Dallas Plantation, Kennebago Lake, Oquossoc, Sandy River Plantation and Wilson's Mills.
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Ski Areas
Spruce Mountain Ski Slope in Jay, 207-897-4090. Nine trails with four rope-tow lifts. Ski classes for all ages.
Hours of operation:
Wed and Fri 6-9pm
Sat 10-4pm and 6-9pm
Sun 11-4pm
Open every day during school holiday vacations
Spruce Mountain is small...but lots of fun! |
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Snowmobile Clubs
Bear Mountain Blazers, Livermore.
Andy Valley Riders, Jay.
Jug Hill Riders, Livermore Falls.
Tennis
Jay, beside elementary school.
Livermore Falls Recreation Field.
Water Sports
Canton Lake Beach is on Lake Anasagunticook, also known as Canton Lake. Take Route 140 from Jay to Canton, crossover Route 108, about a mile and a half on the left.
Echo Lake and Parker Pond are public beaches in Fayette. Convenient and great for a quick evening dip. Brettun's Pond in Livermore is easily accessible and has a state rest area. It's located on Route 4, heading toward Lewiston on the right.
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