St Croix Voyageur day by day itinerary

The St. Croix River -- the border of Maine and New Brunswick is one of the finest for quietwater canoe camping trips.

A true gem, the St. Croix has been designated as a Canadian Heritage River; scenic, steeped in history and abundant with wildlife. The St. Croix river is noted as a major nesting areas for the American Bald Eagle, and has a generous moose population. The fishing is excellent and includes landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass.

The river has several notable features including its gentle but challenging whitewater, its sustained water flow all season long, and the uniqueness of paddling along an international boundary. The river basin is a blend of rolling wooded hills, extensive wetlands and marshes and
lakes, granite outcrops and glacial deposits.
Our adventure begins at Loon Bay Lodge on the St. Croix near St. Stephen New Brunswick. Built over 55 years ago in the tradition of the Great Camps of the North Country, Loon Bay provides the perfect setting to begin our journey. After a great breakfast we are off to the put?in. After a brief orientation and instruction we pull away from shore and settle into the gentle pace of the river.
We will make camp at a scenic secluded sights at rivers edge. Over the next two days we will become fully immersed in the wonderful isolation of the St. Croix. Mornings find some of us up early enjoying the solitude and the mist rising off the water, while others curl up deeper in their

sleeping bags waiting for their first cup of coffee. Rapids like Elbow Rips, Mile Rips, and Rocky Rapids fill our days with excitement. In between the quickwater sections we can slow down and wander through English Cove and other quiet sections where we can take the time to fully appreciate our surroundings. The St. Croix provides the perfect playground for novices wishing to learn, or for those simply seeking a relaxed and tranquil river sojourn.
Our journey ends as it began at Loon Bay Lodge. We are enchanted by the lodge and our warm and rustic surroundings. During our final dinner we reminisce about our adventure together and look forward to the next time.

St Croix Voyageur Trip Notes
Where and when to go...and how to get there

Loon Bay Lodge was built in the tradition of the Great Camps of the North. An
appropriate place to start and end our journey on the St. Croix river. Cabins are mingled around the grounds and we can look forward to delicious filling meals when we gather together in the dining room. It is easy to understand if you choose to linger here a few extra days.

Meeting Location
Loon Bay Lodge
St Stephen New Brunswick
Phone: 506.466.1240

Travel from Bangor Maine
Take exit 45 off I-95 north. Follow the sign for Rte 9 & 1 onto Rte 395. Take the first exit after crossing bridge over the Penobscot River. Follow Main Street north through several sets of lights onto Rte 9 east. Continue on Rte 9 towards Calais for 90 miles(145 km). At the end of Rte 9 turn right onto (US) Rte 1 south for 7 miles(11 km) into Calais. Follow signs for Canada/International Bridge. It is advisable to get gas before entering Canada as it is less expensive.
After crossing the border--remember New Brunswick is on Atlantic time so move your clock ahead 1 hour--turn right and follow New Brunswick Routes 1 & 3 through downtown St. Stephen (1 mile/2 km) to the traffic circle. At the traffic circle on the edge of town take route 3 north towards Fredericton. After traveling 5 miles\8 km along Rte 3, veer left onto Rte 745 north towards Oak Hill and Canoose Stream until the end of the paved road. Turn left and follow the gravel road 3 miles\5 km to Loon Bay. The drive time/distance from Bangor to St Stephen is 97 miles\145 km, 1 hour 20 minutes. From Canada Customs to Loon bay is 20 miles\32 km, 25 minutes.

Trip Logistics and Gear
BattenKill Canoe will provide all community camping equipment including cooking gear and tents. All meals are included, beginning with lunch on Day 1 and ending with lunch on Day 9. In addition we will furnish dry bags for your personal gear as well. One dry bag will be given to each two persons. The dimensions of the bag are approximately 17" x 32". Think of it as the size of being able to fit your personal gear (clothing, etc.), in a small carry-on bag that will fit under the seat of an airplane -- not including your sleeping bags and pads. Regarding sleeping bags, it is most important that we utilize modern compressible sleeping bags to economize on space.
A packing hint that our guides use is to use small stuff sacks to help organize gear inside the dry bags making it easier to find individual items. We will have an assortment of colored (organized by person by color) stuff sacks for use, as well as some compression sacks for compressing sleeping bags.
The trip price includes canoe rental. We have an assortment of canoes, usually Dagger Legends along with Mad River Revelations, Freedoms and Explorers that are fully outfitted for with knee pads, tie downs and supplemental floatation. If you would like to try a specific model, please give us a call. If you would like to bring your own canoe please give us a call to make sure it is appropriate for this river.

Day 1
Your guides will meet you at Loon Bay Lodge mid to late afternoon. After we have had dinner we will meet for a short orientation and take care of last minute packing and gear preparation. Dinner is planned for 6:30 Atlantic time.
Welcome.

Day 2-3
After a hearty breakfast we are off to the river. We will be shuttled up to our put in near Vanceboro. After loading our canoes a safety talk and a bit of instruction we begin our journey. The river is a delightful playground offering quiet sections mixed with gentle current and swifts as it tumbles it's way through isolated forests.
Our pace is leisurely allowing us time to enjoy our surroundings. We will find quiet coves to swim in and try our luck at fishing. This is a nesting area for bald eagles so we will keep an eye to the sky in hopes of seeing some of these graceful and powerful birds. If we are lucky we may also see moose, otter and great blue herons.
Late afternoon finds us pulling into a campsite tucked away on the river's edge. After setting up camp and collecting firewood we have time to sit back and relax. The aroma of the evening meal trigger our appetites. The evening meal is accompanied by stunning sunsets, the gentle rhythm of the river and the sounds of the forest.

Day 4
We continue our journey down the river today. The river has been a good teacher and we look forward to the small rapids and swifts as we paddle toward Loon Bay Lodge. Days end finds us back at Loon Bay Lodge where we enjoy our last evening and tell stories of the week at our farewell dinner.

Day 5
Depending on our mood and travel plans we may choose to linger at Loon Bay Lodge, enjoy a day hike in the area, or continue down the river for a short day trip before we say our final good byes.

What to Bring for the St Croix Voyageurs

__sun hat
__rain hat or hood on raincoat
__good quality rain jacket & pants (no ponchos)
__medium weight shirt or sweater (wool or pile/fleece)
__light cotton long-sleeved shirt
__light cotton t-shirts
__warm polypro, pile or wool pants
__light cotton or nylon pants
__shorts
__bathing suit
__river shoes (sandals, sneakers or booties)
__polypro underwear
__socks (cotton or wool or polypro)
__camp shoes (tennis shoes or soft shoes)
__light weight gloves
__toiletries (biodegradable soap i.e., Dr. Bonner or Campsuds)
__washcloth and towel (packtowel)
__bandana
__sun screen & lip balm
__insect repellant & bug jacket
__sunglasses with securing strap
__personal first aid kit
__flashlight (extra batteries & bulb)
__pocket knife
__sleeping bag and pad (rental kits available)
__water bottle
Optional items:
__camera & film
__fishing gear (breakdown please)
__book
__notebook and pen
__inflatable pillow
__flask of alcohol (no glass)

Good rain gear is probably the most important gear that you can bring. When you are cold and wet, it is hard to be in good spirits. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather in the outdoors, only bad preparations and bad gear.
This is a suggested list, we anticipate that you will have your own idea of what is "necessary". By all means follow your instincts, but please remember all our gear must fit in our canoes. If you have any questions on what to bring, please give us a call. 802.362.2800

Trip Notes Supplement

General Information
If you have any questions or need special arrangements please call our office. Regular office hours are 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday in season. We are open Saturday and Sunday for day trip rentals, but our office staff is limited on weekends. We are generally closed Saturday through Tuesday November through April, although you may catch us in by chance other times.
Trip prices include lodging, all meals (except when noted) guide services and accompanying support van. Trips generally meet mid to late afternoon of the first day, and disband mid to late afternoon of the last day. We may be compelled to increase or decrease trip prices on trips due to matters beyond our control, such as currency exchange, airfare, taxes or price increases. Gratuities for BattenKill guides and other staff are appreciated, but are left entirely to your discretion.

Reservations and Confirmation
Often it is easier to call our office to check for availability and to make reservations. We request a deposit of $100.00 per person for the two to four day trips, $250.00 for five to six day trips, and $350.00 per person for longer trips. Immediate confirmation is possible using your credit card for the deposit.
On receipt of your deposit we prepare a complete confirmation packet, including a full
itinerary, personal equipment list, meeting location with directions, and application for short term trip cancellation insurance. Your confirmation letter will outline the balance which is due at the trip meeting for domestic trips, and 60 days prior for Canadian and other International trips. We strongly recommend that you obtain this cancellation insurance, which reimburses you for nonrefundable costs and deposits should you have to cancel your trip due to a personal emergency.

Final Payments
Your balance is due 60 days prior to the departure date and can be paid by credit card or personal check. Please refer to your confirmation letter for the amount due. BATTENKILL CANOE reserves the right to regard reservations for these tours canceled when payment of the balance is not received when due.

Cancellation and Refunds
Notification must be received by BATTENKILL CANOE LTD. (BCL) in writing. If you must cancel, but wish to reschedule for another trip, we will do our best to accommodate you. If you must cancel more than 45 days prior to departure, a refund of 50% of the per person deposit, OR a 100% credit valid for another trip. There are no refunds possible with less than 45 days notice or for leaving a trip early or arriving late.

Tips and Gratuities
Gratuities for the inn and food portion of your trip are paid by BCL. Gratuities for BATTENKILL guides are appreciated, but are left to your discretion. Each year the guide staff of BATTENKILL CANOE pledge to pool a portion of their tips and donate them to an outreach program. Over the past several years these outreach programs have included a scholarship program for a high school student in the remote village of Yorkin in Talamanca, Costa Rica, supporting the Ninos in la Calle program (alternative education program for the street kids) in Somotillo Nicaragua, financial and educational support to the BattenKill Watershed Council and an annual donation to the Vermont ACLU.
If you would like to find out more about these projects or have suggestions for other projects your guides would be happy to visit with you. This is just one of the ways we are able to reach out to the greater community and practice socially responsible travel.

Airline Reservations
Our airline desk is able to assist you in making our airline reservations, and we are pleased to do so. We can book with all the major carriers and would be happy to assist you with your travel plans.

Non-Performance
We almost always follow through with our entire trip schedule. However, we must reserve the right to cancel a trip or to make changes to the itinerary if necessary due to weather and/or water conditions, insufficient reservations or other factors outside of our control. Although it is unlikely, if we must cancel your trip, you may choose between: 1. A 100% refund of all monies paid, or 2. A 150% credit of your original deposit for a future trip with BATTENKILL. This constitutes full settlement, and BATTENKILL can not be held responsible for other costs incurred.

Guaranteed Dates & Small Trip Charge
Since you plan your vacation around our trip, it is our responsibility to run every trip scheduled if four or more persons are on the roster. A number of fixed costs make it more expensive to operate a trip with six members than one with 12. We budget our trips with a nearly full sign up, to enable us to price them at the lowest possible cost.
We will still run your trip if four or more guests are on the roster. However, we will be obliged to add a small trip surcharge if there is a low sign up of between four (4) and seven (7) participants. The small trip surcharge is ten (10) percent of the published price.
If you make your reservations 6 months prior to departure, you will qualify for our Earlybird Discount which guarantees your departure regardless of the number of people on the roster.

Value Vouchers
In the event that we discount a trip on which you are booked, we will automatically extend to you a courtesy voucher representing the value of the promotional discount. You may apply the discount certificate to any future BattenKill trip. You may combine discounts, however the maximum is 20% off any one trip.

Accommodations & Meals

Our standard accommodation is two per room, generally with a private bath. Usually singles and triples are available. BCL provides three meals per day, beginning with dinner on the first evening and ending with lunch on the last day (except where noted).
On our Voyageurs we provide top quality tents along with all other group camping gear. You are requested to bring only a sleeping bag and pad, as well as your personal gear. If you choose not to bring your own sleeping bag, you may rent one of ours which includes a cotton liner and foam pad.

Solo Travelers
If you're traveling alone and would like to assure yourself of a private room, there is a single supplement surcharge of $45.00 per evening. Singles willing to share will be matched with a roommate. If unavailable, a forced single supplement of 50 percent of the full supplement will be charged.

Bringing the Kids
We believe that sharing an adventure with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. Children twelve years of age or older are welcomed on all trips. Special arrangements must be made for all children 7-12. Regular discount is 25% off the trip price for folks under 18 years old.

Guest Responsibility
You must understand that river trips involve some risk. Guests are responsible for: choosing a trip that suits their abilities, level of fitness and state of health; arriving at the trip start with the clothing and gear recommended in the confirmation packet; respecting the laws and customs of the countries visited; following environmental guidelines and regulations while on the trip in accordance with guides direction; and respecting the rights and privacy of other trip members. You will be asked to sign a Hold Harmless and Release of Liability form prior to your trip.
BATTENKILL CANOE reserves the right to substitute lodges, leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable. BCL shall not be liable, directly or indirectly for any delay, cancellation, mishap, inconvenience, expense, personal injury or death, or damage of property for any reason whatsoever, including acts of God. BATTENKILL reserves the right to decline to accept, retain, or ask to leave any person whose actions or deportment impede trip operation, or rights, welfare and enjoyment of other trip members. No refund is possible under these circumstances. Payment of deposit, and release of credit card number represents your acceptance of these terms and conditions. All disputes shall be settled by binding arbitration in Bennington County Vermont.

About BattenKill Trip Guides
We are proud of the folks who lead our trips, and help make an extra special adventure for you. Each recognizes, welcomes and encourages the varying skills and interests of each guest. On the first evening of our get-together, we will conduct a simple orientation of the trip to come, and go over safety regulations. You will be asked to sign a liability of release form, and we will collect your final payment then.

A Word About Equipment
Canoe rental is included in your trip price. You are welcome to bring along your own canoe if you would like, just let us know. We furnish premium canoes, paddles and PFD's (life jackets). We feature canoes by Mad River, Dagger, Old Town and others. If you have a particular canoe you would like to demo, please give us a call and we will attempt to have one available.

And So On...
Also, enclosed is our suggested personal equipment checklist. Little things like lip balm, sun blocks and dry socks make a big difference, so check it over carefully.