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Description
3 Separate playspots ranging from killer big-hole surf (Gilmans, high flow), to glassy waves (Typewriter), to small-end throwdown holes (1st Trestle Hole).
PeterBuehner shared:
Gilman Falls: construction here a few years ago has made this spot only good in early spring when the levels are high. Very quickly the hole becomes too shallow.
Typewriter and Elbow on the Stillwater: You can see these rapids directly below the bridge. (take exit 193 toward Old Town). You can park in two spots:
1\. Take a right onto College Ave. after the bridge. Before reaching UMaine, there is a small yellow sided building owned by the water works. There is an island on the Stillwater that you can see through the trees. Just at the end of that island is when to look for this little building. Park here, hike down to the river and paddle back upstream.
_A disclaimer: There is a "no parking" sign at the yellow building on College Ave. Folks seem to park there without issue after work hours but to be safe I would recommend parking at the parking spot off of Free street by the dam. It is a slightly longer paddle but no parking issues._
2: Before the bridge take the last right onto Free Street (just before a little restaurant at the bridge). Take the next left and park right by the dam. A small trail leads to a put in. Paddle out and left and follow your nose and ears to the rapid.
Construction at the damn has changed the Typewriter. At high levels it is a complete wash. Once the Enfield gauge drops to about 30000, a wave hole starts to form in the center of the main flow but you need to wait until below 26000 for eddy service to develop and for the hole to become more retentive. The eddy is player's left and takes a bit of work to attain at the higher levels. At about 24,000 there is a small wave that forms below the main hole and just off the player's right eddy. With good technique you can front and back surf, loop without staying in, or get a cartwheel or two.
The Elbow (channel to wide river left) is a lower level-spot for beginners to learn to ferry, maybe surf, and get boat control (class I/II). I don't know how the construction has changed that side but my guess is don't even bother until the main channel is getting bony.
Click on the "Directions" tab for directions to all three playspots.
_Lat/longitude coordinates are very approximate, from online maps._
Although these are individual play spots they are so close together and on the same river flow that I thought they should be lumped together. The putins are as follows:
Gilmans - This is marked on the Maine Topo and Atlas and Gazetteer as Gilman Falls. If you come off I-95 exit 197 headed east before you cross the second bridge over the river (not more than a mile) you will see a turn out on the left for a picnic area. This is the putin.
Typewriter - The putin is near the corner of Stillwater Ave and College Ave. There is a turnout on the river-left side of the bridge. To get to the wave you must put on below the dam and head to the river right side of the island. The first drop is what makes the wave.
Trestle - Trestle is located at the confluence of the Stillwater and Penobscot. You can access it from either side of the Stillwater, but it is often easier from the river right side. Parking is easiest at the hydro station. Trestle hole is under the train trestle (figures); the 2nd hole is right before the confluence and Basin Mills is actually on the Penobscot about 100 yards downriver.
Difficulty Classes
I EasyII NoviceIII IntermediateIV AdvancedV Expert/ExtremeVI Unrunnable