Embracing the Portage: The First Leg of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Expedition Completed by MVHS
Though this journey took place in July 2023, we’ve saved this story for last - for good reason.
Mountain Valley High School’s ambitious trek from the Magalloway River to Mooselookmeguntic Lake was the very first in a series of eight student-led expeditions aimed at paddling the entire Maine section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Over the course of three years, students from across the state took on iconic stretches of river and lake, gaining skills, confidence, and connection to place. With the final leg of the Trail to be paddled in June 2025, we’re closing out our storytelling series by honoring the crew who launched it all—five students and their guides who embraced the mantra: "Embrace the portage. Respect the portage. Celebrate the portage."
This was the mantra for five determined students from Mountain Valley High School's Outing Club as they shouldered canoes and hefted gear along the challenging five-mile Rapid River portage last July. Their journey from the Magalloway River to Mooselookmeguntic Lake marked the beginning of an ambitious expedition in which Maine students aimed to paddle the entire Maine section of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail over three years.
A "Hybrid" Expedition
Led by experienced guides, the MVHS crew embarked on what they called a "hybrid" trip—heavier than ultralight backpacking but lighter than traditional canoe camping with its Dutch ovens and wooden cook boxes. Every gear decision revolved around one critical question: could they carry it over the legendary Rapid River portage?
"The portage can eat a group up, or bolster a group and provide meaningful bonds between teammates as they test their own mettle through strain and perseverance," reflected one of the guides. "While not everyone's cup of tea, it's an essential chapter in one's resume of voyager-style tripping."
The students discovered that wheeled portage carts made a world of difference on gravel roads—but only if used with finesse rather than brute force. A broken cart would have meant hand-carrying everything, a sobering thought that encouraged careful navigation around rocks and water trenches.
Weather Challenges Created Stronger Paddlers
The five-day journey wasn't just about physical challenges. Mother Nature delivered a mixed bag of conditions: scorching 90-degree heat on day one followed by thunderstorms that had the group deploying lightning protocols and huddling under tarps.
Despite the rain, the shifting weather patterns worked in their favor. The low-pressure system brought calmer waters for paddling across open lakes—a blessing when crossing expanses like Upper Richardson and Mooselookmeguntic where wind and waves can quickly become hazardous for canoeists.
On their final morning, the crew made a strategic decision to skip breakfast and break camp early to navigate Mooselookmeguntic's notoriously wind-prone northern section before the day's heat could generate challenging conditions. Their reward? A majestic bald eagle escort for the final half-mile into Haines Landing.
Building Future Leaders
This expedition wasn't just about paddling. For one freshman wrestler with guide aspirations, the trip confirmed his decision to pursue outdoor leadership training. For others, it was about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with each other.
"The transformation was immediate," noted one of the guides. "Students who barely spoke in hallways were suddenly sharing laughs while navigating rapids and working together to set up camp."
The expedition also taught practical lessons in overland navigation, camp cooking, weather assessment, and medical safety. When one student developed a digestive issue mid-trip, the team rallied around him with support, education, and the proud group cheer of "We have a champion!" when the situation resolved.
Even gear selection became a teaching moment, with students joining pre-trip shopping expeditions to learn about food planning and quality gear choices. One senior helped plan menus, incorporating his own culinary experiments like cooking with grits.
A Multi-Year Vision
Since that first step in 2023, seven more student and staff trips have followed. Carrabec, Maine Academy of Natural Sciences, Mt. Abram, Forest Hills, Ashland, Houlton, and Teens to Trails staff themselves have carried the journey forward, section by section. From Flagstaff to the Allagash, from Moosehead to the Penobscot, each crew brought their own spirit to Maine’s wild waterways.
In late June, the final leg of the Trail will be paddled from Michaud Farm to Fort Kent, just in time to celebrate the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s 25th anniversary. Teens to Trails staff, outdoor club leaders, and NFCT staff will complete the last stretch of the Maine section, bringing to life a vision three years in the making.
Since 2023, our two organizations have proudly supported student groups on this expedition. And perhaps the most lasting impact? These teens helped create trip kits and route guides so other schools can follow in their paddle strokes, making Maine’s public lands and waters more accessible to future outdoor club adventures.
As one freshman reflected while looking at his compass during a lake crossing: “So that’s Rumford over there.” Sometimes seeing your hometown from a new perspective, across open water with paddle in hand, is exactly what Maine teens need.
Photos courtesy of MVHS Outing Club