We attempted a paddle into Charles Pond from the Kezar Lake Dam in Fryeburg, ME. We launched below the dam and successfully navigated the debris in the channel as we made our way out to the Old Course of the Saco. Turning upstream on the Cold River we got only as far as the Snomo bridge (.25 m) only to find our way blocked by a massive tree spanning the entire width of the channel. The water was too high for a scooch under so we turned around. If you are thinking of paddling into Charles Pond check to see if you can clear this obstacle. There is a lot of wood down all over this area from the recent ice storms. We paddled back to the dam and lifted over and tried to paddle upstream into Kezar Lake. We encountered another obstacle which appears to be an old dam that we elected not to lift over. The channel beyond it also had a lot of debris in it. Back to the dam to pack up and move on to Plan C.
Safety Notes
Cold water and slippery muddy banks. Lots of debris in the water
Gear Notes
CD Solstice and CD Vision 14
Conditions
Debris clogged streams
Portage Notes
At least two portages would have been needed at a minimum to continue in either direction with the possibility of multiple others due to the amount of debris in the streams.
