Dead River High Water Dam Release

Action is the Name of the Game!

The Dead River has ten special high volume dam releases each season that produce big whitewater action over 16 miles. The river bed drops steadily during the entire run and produces long, consistent action that builds throughout the day in Class III-IV rapids such as "Humpty Dumpty", "Elephant Rock" and "Spruce Ledges". Each rapid includes long wave trains and sudden drops into deep holes. The Dead continues to build through dozens of rapids and culminates in the LONGEST RAPID IN THE NORTHEAST, Class IV-V "Poplar Hill Falls". "Poplar" on its own is one mile of whitewater with huge standing waves and deep, turbulent holes. When you combine "Poplar" with the rest of this action packed trip, you have the finest raft trip in the Northeast! Don't miss this special river adventure which guides and rafting veterans cherish each year. Check out the photo gallery

Trip Overview:

2010 Schedule: See below
Rapid Classification: Class III-IV (V)
Miles: 16
River time: 3-4 hours
Minimum Age: 14
Food: Steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout at base after trip
No. of people per boat: 8-9 (Go For It Rafts: 6)
Video and Slide Presentation
Specialty Trips Available: Go For It Rafts, High Adventure Package

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Dead River High Water Prices and Schedule

Rafting Price

$122 pp
$129 pp August 15

Includes:

All river access fees, pre-trip safety instruction, licensed guide, PFD and helmet, transportation to and from river, cookout (steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option), photo and video presentation

Schedule

Day	Flow	Go For It Rafts
Saturday May 8	7000+ cfs (cubic feet per second)
Saturday May 15	7000+ cfs
Sunday May 22	5500+ cfs	X
Saturday May 30	5500+ cfs	X
Saturday June 5	5500 cfs	X
Saturday June 12	3500 cfs	X
Sunday August 15	3500 cfs	X
Sunday September 5	5500 cfs	X
Saturday September 18	3500 cfs	X
Saturday October 2	6000 cfs	X

Rafting & Lodging Packages*

Each night of lodging includes a hot buffet breakfast - eggs, sausage, home fries, pancakes, fruit, pastries, juice and coffee.

Standard Lodging (Lodge rooms, Deluxe Lodge Units, Spring Cottage)

2 night minimum: $98pp plus raft trip price

Premium Lodging (Snow Cottage, River Cottage, Suites)

2 night minimum: $120pp plus raft trip price

* For photos and details on our lodging options go to Lodging at Crab Apple.

 

Package Add-Ons

2nd Day of Rafting

• High Adventure Package
• Go For It raft

3rd Night Lodging

Save $15pp (some restrictions may apply)

Meal Plan Dinner

At our full service restaurant, Crab Apple on the Kennebec.
Entree, dessert, beverage, tax & gratuity - $24pp.

Menu

Moose Safari

We leave daily May - August around dusk to search for giant Maine moose. We know all of their favorite spots to hang out. Bring your camera! $40pp

Paintball

Nightfall (see below) or Half-Day: $40pp
Full Day: $75pp
See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

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High Adventure Package - Kennebec & Dead River Two Day Combo

Put together the "Ultimate Whitewater Weekend" by combining the Dead River with a day of rafting on the Kennebec and cover 28 miles of the Northeast's biggest whitewater over two days. Conquer "Magic Falls" one day and descend "Poplar Hill Falls" on the other. Stay with us at Crab Apple in our suites, cottages or lodge for a comfortable, hassle-free trip.

Includes: All river access fees, rafting on the Dead and Kennebec Rivers plus two steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookouts

Schedule and Pricing:

May 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, June 5-6, 12-13, Sept 18-19, Oct 2-3 $197pp
September 4-5 $226
August 14-15 $233pp

High Adventure Package with Lodging

Add lodging and meals at Crab Apple during your High Adventure weekend. Stay in our Suites, Cottages or Lodge for a comfortable and hassle-free vacation. Add dinner and watch the game in our pub after a thrilling run down the river or add an evening of Paintball to complete the adrenaline rush.

Includes: Two nights lodging, two hot buffet breakfasts, all river access fees, rafting on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers and two steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookouts.

Standard Lodging (Lodge rooms, Deluxe Lodge Units, Spring Cottage)

2 night minimum: $98pp plus raft trip price
Save on 3 nights: $128pp plus raft trip price

Premium Lodging (Snow Cottage, River Cottage, Suites)

2 night minimum: $120pp plus raft trip price
Save on 3 nights: $165pp plus raft trip price
* For photos and details on our lodging options go to Lodging at Crab Apple.

 

Package Add-Ons

High Adventure Go For It Option

Go For It raft on Dead and Kennebec (see below): $250pp

Dinner

At our full service restaurant, Crab Apple on the Kennebec.
Entree, dessert, beverage, tax & gratuity - $24pp

Moose Safari

We leave daily around dusk to search for giant Maine moose. We know all of their favorite spots to hang out. Bring your camera! $40pp

Paintball

Nightfall (see below) or Half-Day: $40pp
Full Day: $75pp
See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

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Dead River Trip Itineraries

Directions:
I-95 North to Exit 133 in Fairfield, Maine. Follow Rte 201 North 65 miles to The Forks. Pass through Skowhegan and then Bingham (23 miles to The Forks). In The Forks look for our signs and the bridge crossing the Kennebec. Take right turn before bridge and then enter second driveway on right.

Note: GPS and navigation systems are not accurate in our area, please follow a map.

 

Your Day on the Dead River - High Water Dam Release

Meeting Time and Place:
8:30am at Crab Apple on the Kennebec - The Forks, Maine

Note: Please consult a map along with our directions. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. The trip cannot wait for latecomers.

Trip Itinerary:

• Meet at 8:00am
• Lifejacket and helmet fitting - (all guests must wear a Personal Floatation Device issued by Crab Apple)
• Safety lecture and paddling instruction
• 16 mile ride to put-in
• Raft 16 miles in continuous Class III-IV (V) whitewater
• Take out and 1 mile ride back to Crab Apple
• Hot showers, hot tubs and change clothes
• Delicious steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout
• Slide and video presentation of your trip
• Departure by approximately 4:00-5:00pm

Waiver:

All rafters will be required to sign a waiver of liability before enjoying one of our trips. Download it here and bring it in completed the day of the trip to save time. Waiver

Your Day on The Kennebec River

Meeting Time and Place:
Crab Apple on the Kennebec - The Forks, Maine
8:00am-- Note: Please consult a map along with our directions. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. The trip cannot wait for latecomers.

Trip Itinerary:

• Meet at 8:30 am
• Lifejacket and helmet fitting -
  
• Safety lecture and paddling instruction
• 20 minute ride to Harris Station dam
• Raft 5 miles in Class III-IV (V) whitewater
• Riverside snack
• Raft 7 miles in Class II-III+ whitewater
• Take out in front of Crab Apple
• Hot showers, hot tubs and change clothes
• Delicious steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian option cookout
• Slide show and video presentation of your trip
• Departure by approximately 3:30-4:00pm

Waiver:

All rafters will be required to sign a waiver of liability before enjoying one of our trips. Download it here and bring it in completed the day of the trip to save time. Waiver

Your Day on the Lower Kennebec River

Meeting Time and Place:
Crab Apple on the Kennebec - The Forks, Maine
8:00am-- Note: Please consult a map along with our directions. It is your responsibility to arrive on time. The trip cannot wait for latecomers.

Trip Itinerary:

• Meet at 8:00am
• Lifejacket fitting
• Safety lecture and paddling instruction
• 16 mile ride to put in
• Raft 16 miles in continuous Class III-IV (V)whitewater
• Take out and 1 mile ride back to Crab Apple
• Hot showers, hot tubs and change clothes
• Delicious steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian cookout
• Slide and video presentation of your trip
• Departure by approximately 3:30-4:00pm

Waiver:

All rafters will be required to sign a waiver of liability before enjoying one of our trips. Download it here and bring it in completed the day of the trip to save time. Waiver

What to Bring:

For every trip you need:

• Bathing suit or shorts
• Footwear - sneakers or sandals with secure toe and ankle straps (flip flops not allowed)
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Change of clothes and shoes for after trip

Items for spring and fall & cool or rainy days:

• ***Avoid cotton clothing - it cools the body when wet!
• For feet: wool or fleece socks. Very important in spring!
• For torso and legs: performance apparel (Under Armour), wool, fleece, capilene, polypropylene/li>
• Outer layer: wind jacket and pants are great for shedding water and can be worn over a wetsuit or fleece

Wetsuits:

Clean, comfortable wetsuits and wetsuit boots will always be available for rent. Fleece and synthetics are extra warm under wetsuits and wetsuit boots. Wind jackets and pants can be worn over wetsuits to shed water and add warmth.

$$$$:

Crab Apple on the Kennebec houses a fun store where you may purchase a fine selection of apparel and souvenirs. Our pub and restaurant will also be open for relaxing after trips.

Medications / Physical Limitations:

Always bring medications which you may need on the river i.e. asthma inhaler, bee sting kit, etc.
Pregnant women, persons with a heart condition and anyone with a medical problem that could be affected by the heat, cold, exertion, excitement, etc. of a raft trip may not raft. We reserve the right to refuse anyone the opportunity to participate in any of our adventures because of a medical, physical or size limitation that we feel might expose them to extreme risk. Contact our office with questions concerning these policies.

Accommodations:

Crab Apple on the Kennebec offers you a comfortable, hassle-free stay in our suites, lodge, cabins and campsites. Local campgrounds, B&B's and motels may also be suggested.

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GO FOR IT Rafts

Our 13 foot, 6 person Go For It rafts add a whole new challenge to the Dead River. Small rafts are easily maneuvered so that your crew can paddle toward any big wave or drop in the river, but look out when you get there--these small boats really get thrashed by the big waves and holes! This trip is geared toward veteran rafters and a minimum of 4 people is required to run a Go For It trip.

Price: $147 pp
Minimum Age: 16
Trip dates: Available all Dead River dates under 7,000 cfs

Nightfall Paintball

Play paintball on our four cool fields after a day of rafting on the Dead River. After the raft trip cookout and slideshow (about 4:00) we'll gather up the guns, throw on the camouflage and head to the playing fields for some action packed paintball games. Play until dusk - now that is cool!

Price: $40pp
See Rapid Shot Paintball website for more details and pictures of the fields.

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