Floating the East Branch of the Penobscot

A report and video from Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Mike and Josh on their adventure on East Branch of the Penobscot River in Northern Maine.

On the weekend of September 22 and 23, Hyperlite Mountain Gear founder and CEO Mike St. Pierre and Josh Mansir once again demonstrated their ability to play just as hard on Saturday and Sunday as they work at Hyperlite Mountain Gear during the week. The weekend’s adventure was a hike (carrying Hyperlite Mountain Gear packs of course) into remote Maine’s remote Lake Matagamon where they inflated their packrafts and then ran the East Branch of the Penobscot River

Wooden sign for Baxter State Park in Maine — Baxter State Park, Maine

Lake Matagamon (or “Grand Lake Matagamon” as it is sometimes called) is located in Northeastern Maine. The is known in Maine for its fishing, many remote islands and scenery. Its a great paddling lake.

Lake Matagamon in Maine — Lake Matagamon

Approximately half of the lake is located inside the Northeast corner of Baxter State Park, the jewel of Maine’s state park system and the home to Maine’s highest peak, Baxter Peak (or Katahdin).

Map of Baxter State Park showing Lake Matagamon and the East Branch of the Penobscot River

For Mike and Josh, Lake Matagamon was there stop moving by foot and switched over to paddle. They pulled their packrafts and drysuits out of their Hyperlite Mountain Gear packs and hit the water. From there they followed the East Branch of the Penobscot River approximately 47 miles to Medway, Maine.

Ultralight packrafts on a backcountry riverbank — The packrafts loaded on the riverside.

Backcountry meal at campsite — Gourmet breakfast at camp

Along the way Mike and Josh had their share of slack water — we heard some whining about aching shoulders when they returned. But they also had their share of excitement.

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