A day-by-day overview of the Sojourn. Each color represents a new day, starting on the Westfield/Lowell town line.
Enjoy this video of the adventure, and scroll down for even more!
MISSISQUOI & TROUT RIVERS, VERMONT HIGHLIGHTS
Over the course of 7 days, we paddled all the designated river miles - documenting these amazing resources (and the fun we had) along the way. Below are video edits from each day for your viewing pleasure. Get in touch with us to learn more about our rivers and how you can both help and enjoy them!
Day 1: Lowell/Westfield town line to Lane Rd (approx. 7 miles)
This scenic paddle will involved one area of Class II whitewater, in a beautiful rocky gorge, and some shallow sections.
Points of Interest along this stretch include: Cajun’s snack bar, Monastery Rapids, Serpentine Ledges, big erosion site/reforestation attempts, O'Donnell's Farm, Couture's Maple Shop and B&B.
Day 2: Lane Rd. to River Rd (approx. 5.25 miles)
This scenic paddle involved stops at area businesses, an opportunity to explore a unique island, and the river's first portage around Bakers Falls/Chase Dam. This section (both above and below the dam) is primarily flatwater; can be shallow in some sections.
Points of Interest along this stretch include: Brault’s Slaughter house for jerky, Troy school's island preserve, the Chase hydro dam project.
Day 3: Missisquoi Gorges to N. Troy (approx. 11 miles)
Our longest and most technical day - this section is for experienced paddlers only and contains 4 gorges that are Class III/IV whitewater, as well as portages around Big Falls and the North Troy dam. We enjoyed the four breathtaking gorges within the first few miles below Chase Dam; this adventure involved scouting rapids, as well as lining and portaging some. Below the gorges, we passed under a beautiful covered bridge and then enjoyed some mildly technical paddling and careful scouting to ensure we made the take-out above Big Falls. After portaging around Big Falls, we paddled another ~3 fairly easy miles to the take out above the North Troy dam - just above the where Route 105 bridge crossing. Portaging around the dam led to another little-paddled but lovely ~1.5 miles of gentle flatwater to the Canadian border.
Points of Interest along this stretch include: Four Gorges, Covered Bridge, Big Falls, N. Troy Park, N. Troy Falls.
Day 4: E. Richford to Richford (approx. 6 miles)
This scenic paddle involved some neat historical features and one rapid, near the site of the old Steven’s Mill, followed by some meandering river braiding between islands; the day culminated at a great access point established by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail that enables portaging around (or scouting, for whitewater enthusiasts) the Class III rapids in the heart of Richford. Davis Park, on the other end of the rapids, provides another access point, as well as a wonderful spot to enjoy a picnic along the river.
Points of Interest along this section include: Border Station/bridge, Steven’s Mill remains/ruins, NFCT Coon's campsite, Brouillette’s Flats islands/wildlife habitat, Railroad bridge, Remains of old mill dam, logging, wood products industries while entering Richford, Richford Rapids.
Day 5: Richford to E. Berkshire (approx. 6.5 miles)
This family-friendly paddle contained a few sections of swift-water, but the river in this stretch is primarily deep and slow-moving, making this a great tour for all that included beautiful views of pastoral Vermont against the Green Mountain backdrop, and even a bald eagle sighting!
Points of Interest along this stretch include: History of the island below Richford Falls (Race Track, Semi pro ball field), dairy farming, USGS river gauge, Rail Trail, Pine Cone Snackbar, NFCT Doe Campsite, Trout River inlets (current and historic).
Day 6 E. Berkshire to Enosburg Falls (approx. 6 miles)
This fun and varied section of the river included a Class II-III whitewater spot at the old Samsonville dam (there is a portage option on river left) and great local and historical features, including the Boston Post Dairy, the close proximity of the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, and the Brownway Trail. Enosburg Falls Village provided ample options for a celebratory snack!
Points of Interest along this section include: MRBA/UMATR offices, Sampsonville Dam site, Boston Post Road bridge, Boston Post Road Dairy, Brownway reforestation site, Bridge of Flowers and Lights.
Day 7 Trout River (approx. 4.5 miles)
The upper portions of the Trout River, which can provide whitewater fun during high water, were deemed too shallow for this trek, so we put-in at the great new access point at Riverwalk Park and enjoyed the slower-moving and more reliably deep stretch of the Trout, which carried us beneath several of the iconic covered bridges and past numerous excellent swimming holes.
Points of Interest along this stretch include: Blue Bike Cafe, Bernie's, Snow Shoe Pub, Inn on Trout River, Mountain Fiber Folk, River Restoration from 97 Flood, Swimming Holes, Village Gorge/old mill remains, erosional problems, wildlife habitat.