Northern Forest Canoe Trail

Northern Forest Canoe Trail Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge Package

Explore the broad and pristine waters of Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. The lake and its tributaries are rich with wildlife including nesting bald eagles and grazing moose. Your trip will begin with paddling instruction (if necessary) from your guide Lucie Villeneuve. Next, you will depart along the winding and serene Magalloway River and will travel through prime great blue heron, loon and moose habitat. Five miles into your journey, the Magalloway opens onto the spectacular Lake Umbagog at a bald eagle nesting site. After a trail lunch, you will continue along the Androscoggin River to the town of Errol, NH passing wetland areas renowned for their diversity of bird life.

Your guide will offer tales of the region’s human history and point out both the subtle and stunning elements of your natural surroundings. She will also provide seamless logistics and, at the end of the day, deliver you back to your cozy cabin situated along the Magalloway River.

The following day, you can choose to play in the whitewater sections of the Magalloway or trade in your paddle for hiking boots and embark on a guided hike to the secluded waterfalls and peaks in the Dartmouth Grant.

Package includes:  3 nights at the Magalloway River Inn Cabins  2 days of paddling, hiking and related skills instruction with a guide from Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire, LLC  Boat and select gear rentals, day packs  2 Breakfasts  2 trail lunches (visitors will be directed to local towns for dinner or can make their own in their cabin kitchenettes).  Map 7 of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail  Pack list  Nature talks on local wildlife, geology and human history  North Woods survival tips  Wildlife viewing and photo opportunities  Shuttle Services

Price 2 adults – $645 – smaller cabin (queen bed and twin sleep sofa) 2 adults – $675 – larger cabin (queen and twin beds and queen sleep sofa) Each additional participant – $110 Minimum Group Size: 2 Maximum Group Size: 8

Reservations For reservations and availability contact: Lucie Villeneuve Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire, LLC [email protected] (603) 528-0136

Deposit A 50% non-refundable deposit will be required from the client at the time of booking.

What are other people saying about the elements of this package?

The Magalloway River and Lake Umbagog “The sun crept above the tree line, and cattail-filled pools along the riverbank glittered in the morning light. The river moved slowly seaward, and all was silent.” The Magalloway River “teemed with beavers, shorebirds, loons and other wildlife. We were lucky to spot a couple of moose before they bolted into the dense brush. There was not a trace of human activity to be seen anywhere… (and) we found ourselves in the company of not one but three bald eagles.” (AAA Northern New England Journey Magazine, May/June 2008, Volume 14, Number 3)

According to Boston.com, Lake Umbagog is one of the 10 best places to kayak in all of New England. “Rest the paddle on the deck and watch the wildlife at work and play in Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge: winter wrens and purple finches, great blue herons and black ducks, northern leopard frogs and salamanders, loons and eagles. Best to be off the lake by midafternoon. ‘‘Because Lake Umbagog is relatively shallow and you get these summer winds,’’ said Bob Tagliaferri, of Northern Waters, a local outfitter. ‘‘The lake gets a wicked chop to it.’’ http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/galleries/take10/nekayak?pg=5

“One of northern New England’s finest treasures is the beautiful lakes that form the Rangeley Region. Lake Umbagog, Aziscohos, Parmachenee, Cupsuptic, Mooselookmeguntic, Richardson and Rangeley, are like a string of pearls that glisten with clear water and mountain scenery. This region is also known for one of the best wildlife areas to sight moose, black bear and waterfowl of a variety of species.” http://www.nhamcpaddlers.org/mem_trips/Umbagog_Aziscohos.htm

Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire, LLC

New York Post, May 12, 2009 Lucie Villeneuve is a New Hampshire native. With some 15 years' experience as a guide and outdoor instructor, this descendent of French-Canadian woodsmen (and Acadian purge survivors) is known around the Granite State's Lakes Region for once leading a whitewater kayaking tour while eight months pregnant. Owner of the Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire adventure tour company, Villeneuve, it seemed, might be the perfect person to turn me into a credible facsimile of Bear Grylls (minus the three-day beard). Plus, she custom-builds adventure trips based on client's wants and needs. To read the complete article visit: http://www.nypost.com/seven/05122009/entertainment/travel/got_skills__168739.htm?&page=0

Client testimonials: “Hi Lucie, I would like to thank you for another fun day kayaking. I want to let you know that I appreciate the way you take care of us as a group every time we go out with you. I have to say that I always feel I am in good hands with you because you are all about safety and you are able to handle all situations calmly and with reason. I also appreciate your knowledge of the activity and the outdoors in general. Thanks again to both you and Peter and hope to see you again, probably in the fall.” Pat Leverone, Plymouth, Massachusetts

“Thanks for your clear instruction--you're an excellent teacher. That really is the most beautiful part of New Hampshire. We didn't see any moose, but I'll always remember the scene along Wentworth Location of the family of ospreys. The rain that day made it even more special.” Janet Provost and Family, Scituate, Massachusetts

“Lucie – Once again-thank you for a wonderful 2 days of hiking and exploring. It was relaxing to not have to worry about the planning aspect of hiking. The joy and passion for what you do shines through. May God richly bless you and your husband. Thanks again.” Suzanne Huff, Hopkinton, New Hampshire

The Magalloway River Inn Cabins Guest testimonials: Very cozy & comfy here. We saw 24 moose including 2 up close encounters while walking in the woods. Also saw eagles, osprey, loons all sorts of wildlife. Great nature watching trip. The Shaw’s, Red Hook, NY

We first stayed with Suzanne and Bob in the year 2000, after seeing their bed and breakfast featured on the television show Chronicle. We enjoyed that first visit so much that we made plans to come back. The next time we came, in 2002, the inn had burned down and been replaced by the nicest cabins you could imagine. We were impressed and made another trip back there later in the summer. As we told people about this place, more of our friends wanted to go with us. We formed The Eidelweiss Kayak Club, coming to Magalloway to enjoy the river and the cabins. We now organize at least 3 different kayak groups each summer to come and enjoy Suzanne and Bob’s hospitality. We actually have turned people away, putting them on a waiting list, as we had all 5 cabins rented for each date.

Everyone we have brought has had the same reaction to the place, showing amazement at how compact, very well-equipped, and extremely comfortable the cabins are. Suzanne and Bob are so accommodating, providing for our every need. We hope to go four times this summer and are quite sure that we can get enough kayakers to fill the cabins each time. Coming there feels so comfortable that, upon arrival, we usually announce, “We’re home!” Cathy and Rich Sholtanis – Eidelweiss Kayak Club