Hundreds of paddlers will take in the scenery, wildlife, history and downtowns along the Androscoggin River during the 17th Annual Source to the Sea Trek, which is being staged as 18 separate day-trips through August 4. Paddlers may join the Trek for one day or many.

The Trek, organized by the Androscoggin River Watershed Council, began with a sunset paddle near Lake Umbagog, the source of the Androscoggin River, will meander through northern New Hampshire and Western Maine, and will end in Brunswick, where the river enters Merrymeeting Bay.

The local legs of this year’s Trek will take place on Friday, July 27 (Twin Bridges to Center Bridge in Turner), Saturday, July 28 (through Gulf Island Pond) and Sunday, July 29 (a round-trip paddle along downtown Lewiston-Auburn).

“It’s been 40 years since the Androscoggin served as the inspiration for the Clean Water Act,” said Jessie Perkins, organizer of the Trek. “The progress that has been made is incredible. People are paddling and fishing the entire length of the river, and every year there are new pockets of activity—trails, events, businesses, and more are springing up all over the place.”

Many days also include an educational component, with speakers addressing history, ecology, conservation, and economic development in the local area. Participants should bring their own paddle-powered boats, appropriate gear and lunch. Shuttling will be arranged by Trek organizers.

Participation is free for “Trekkers,” but a voluntary, tax-deductible donation of $10 is requested to support the non-profit Watershed Council to offset the costs of organizing the Trek.

For a daily schedule of the entire Trek, including maps, section descriptions, launch points, and easy online registration, see www.androscogginwatershed.org.

The non-profit Androscoggin River Watershed Council was founded in 1999 to improve environmental quality and promote healthy and prosperous communities along the Androscoggin.

Schedule

Friday, July 6: Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge evening paddle.

Saturday, July 7: Errol, N.H.

Sunday, July 8: 7 Islands Bridge to Pontook Dam.

Thursday, July 12: Paddle Afterhours in Berlin, N.H.

Friday, July 13: Shelburne, N.H. to Gilead.

Saturday, July 14: Gilead to Bethel.

Sunday, July 15: Bethel to Hanover.

Thursday, July 19: Hanover to Rumford.

Friday, July 20: Mexico to Dixfield.

Saturday, July 21: Dixfield to Riley Dam.

Sunday, July 22: Riley Dam to Otis Mill.

Thurday, July 26: Paddle Afterhours in Jay

Friday, July 27: Twin Bridges to Center Bridge in Turner, ME

Saturday, July 28: Center Bridge to Gulf Island Dam

Sunday, July 29: Round-trip paddle in Lewiston-Auburn

Thursday, August 2: Paddle Afterhours in Lewiston-Auburn

Friday, August 3: Durham to Lisbon Falls

Saturday, August 4: Lisbon Falls to Brunswick

The non-profit Androscoggin River Watershed Council was founded in 1999 with a mission to continuously improve environmental quality and promote healthy and prosperous communities in the Androscoggin River Watershed.

www.androscogginwatershed.org                                                             www.facebook.com/androrwc