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  • Kennebec Ferry Schedule

    by
    attroll
    5 Comments Comments
    Untitled 3
    Kennebec Ferry Schedule
    Updated for 2015
    (No scheduled service before May 1 and after October 31, 2015)
    Days of
    Operation:    		 Morning
    Start:    		 Morning
    Finish:    		 Afternoon
    Start:
    May1 thru May 21 Call ahead.1 Time and weather permitting. $50 fee.3
    May 22 thru July 9  2 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 4 No service.
    7 days a week.
    July 10 thru September 30 2 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 4 2:00 PM
    7 days a week.
    October 1 thru October 12 2 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 4 No service.
    7 days a week.
    October 13 through October 31 Call ahead.1 Time and weather permitting. $50 fee.3
    1   David P Corrigan
     Reg, Maine Master Guide
     Fletcher Mountain Outfitters
     82 Little Houston Brook Road
     Concord Twp., Maine  04920
    207-672-4879    		 2  Ferry is a free service between
    May 24 and October 13
    during regularly scheduled
    hours of operation.
    Otherwise, 1 prior notification     1 and
    a 3 $50 fee (up to 2 hikers) is required.
    4 Hikers need to be there at least 30 minutes before closing to allow
    the ferry operator to finish all runs within the scheduled times of operation.
    Hikers will be required to sign a release form, wear a life jacket, and follow
    the instructions of the ferry operator. If river conditions or weather make
    the crossing dangerous in the judgment of the ferry operator, the service
    will be discontinued until conditions improve.
    from:   http://www.matc.org/for-hikers/kennebec-river-ferry/
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    Comments 5 Comments
    1. attroll's Avatar
      attroll - 03-21-2012, 17:15
      Sorry, I was a little late in updating this for the 2012 season.
    1. attroll's Avatar
      attroll - 04-01-2013, 03:30
      I have updated this for the 2013 season.
    1. earli bird's Avatar
      earli bird - 04-24-2013, 07:27
      Does anyone know where the closest bridge is to cross the river? Thinking about hitching to get around paying the fifty bucks. Also what the trail conditions are in Caratunk beyond?

      Thanks
    1. attroll's Avatar
      attroll - 12-30-2014, 21:23
      I have updated for the 2015 season.
    1. Lauriep's Avatar
      Lauriep - 09-16-2015, 18:14
      Hikers in Maine or headed to Maine:

      Plan ahead to make sure you can catch the free Kennebec Ferry. The ferry is the official A.T. -- the canoe has a white blaze on it.

      If you're tempted to ford, and willing to risk your own life, think about this. Fording not only risks your own life but puts others at risk who might have to bail you out if the river rises unexpectedly. This can happen--without notice--when the dam upstream releases water. A few weeks of ago I talked to a 2014 nobo (tall, buff guy) who took the ferry, and when he got to the other side, thought to himself, "that wasn't so bad, maybe I could have forded." Then as he walked along the bank upstream he watched the water rise significantly. His perspective changed quick.

      Ferryman Dave Corrigan has reported some scary close calls this summer. One trained rescue swimmer has already put his life at risk this summer to bail out an overconfident hiker. A long-distance hiker has already drowned crossing the Kennebec; that's why there's been a ferry in place since that happened to Alice Ference 30 years ago.

      Who wants another fatality?

      Two young would-be thru-hikers have died in other bodies of water on the A.T. in New England. Just because you've hiked 2000 miles or more and are in great shape, or are a strong swimmer, or have heard about others who have been lucky, doesn't mean that you can safely cross.

      As one 2011 nobo posted recently, "if you don't use the ferryman to cross, you may wind up using another type of ferryman, if you follow Greek mythology."

      Less dramatic, but you could also lose some or all of your gear if you get swept downstream. Although you're not likely to hear anyone bragging about that, it happens.

      Here are the details of this year's ferry service:


      Until Sept. 30: 9-11 am & 2-4 pm daily

      October 1-12: 9-11 am only

      October 13-31: If and only if weather permits and someone is available, $50 (for 1 or 2 people)

      No service is available after October 31


      TIP: Plan on getting to the river at least 1/2 hour before the session ends, sooner if you're in the bubble.


      The ferry is the historic route of the A.T. The ferry is funded by ATC and managed by MATC. ALDHA has contributed to the costs of the ferry service as well.

      More info at: www.matc.org/for-hikers/kennebec-river-ferry/