Sandy Stream, Maine, US

Stony Brook to Michael Stream (Lexington Township)

Josh Geib on the Crusher

Josh Geib on the Crusher
Photo taken 10/05/10

Gauge Information

River Description

Jeff Sharpe shared on 5/25/07:
This is a surprisingly high-quality run tucked away in a little valley near the confluence of the Carrabassett and the Kennebec. The nature of the river is smooth granite bedrock slides and falls, of which there are many, separated by pools. There are some big drops on the section including a near-vertical 15-footer with a shallow landing and a few other bigger sliding falls. Everything was run in my one descent of the river. Most drops are Class IV, but there are maybe 10 or so Class-V rapids. Portaging and scouting is very easy and the scenery is quite good with only an occassional glimpse of a seldom traveled dirt road that parallels the river for the entire run.
Shuttle: The dirt road to the takeout is obvious on a Maine gazetteer. I believe it is called Sandy Stream Road. Leave a car where the river turns to class 1 and 2. To get to the takeout, it is wise to head back to the paved road and continue a few hundred feet further to a second dirt road that is much better than the takeout road. This road looks steep and rocky initially but quickly becomes more gentle and well maintained than the takeout road, which was in very bad shape at the time of this writing. The two roads in question join together approximately one mile above the takeout.
Follow upstream five miles to a T in the road, go right, over a bridge, and then put in at the next bridge.
Water Levels: We ran it when the Carrabassett was 2000 and dropping. Supposedly ideal levels are in the 2400 range. 2000 was still quite fun, and although low, all the drops were still very fluid.