Allagash region chosen as one of best outdoors sites in nation

"Outside" magazine thinks the Allagash Wilderness Waterway is a fine place to go play. The national publication named the waterway as one of its top five "Man vs. Wild" adventures in its current "Adventure Issue." "I've canoed the Allagash many times, and everything written about it in 'Outside' hits the nail on the head," said Pat McGowan, the Maine Department of Conservation commissioner. "I'm delighted it's been included in the magazine in the top five trips in the entire country." The 92-mile-long AWW consists of a corridor of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams winding through the northern Maine forest. It starts at Telos Lake and ends a few miles south of Allagash Village, which is located at the confluence of the Allagash and St. John rivers. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway officially was established by the Maine Legislature in 1966 to protect the unique area. In 1970, it was named the first state-administered component of the National Wild and Scenic River System. An entire trip of the AWW can be done between three to seven days, McGowan said. A long weekend in late May or June offers excellent fishing on Chamberlain, Allagash and Eagle lakes, the commissioner added. Gov. John Baldacci and his son, Jack, did the trip in 2007 as part of a group including McGowan and his daughter, Chelsea, in a party of 12 people. The group was led by noted Master Maine Guide, Gil Gilpatrick. The magazine recommends having advanced canoeing skills and some camping experience. It also recommends carrying a copy of Henry David Thoreau's "The Maine Woods." "[G]o slow and quote Thoreau -- every story about this river does," the article states. It also states that the best time of year to do the AWW trip is early fall. "Outside" reaches approximately 2 million people nationwide with each issue. "The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is an extraordinary place filled with natural beauty and wildlife," said Will Harris, director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands. "It's great that 'Outside' has chosen it as a top adventure site. It is always an adventure to go down the river. I'd like to see more people, but especially Mainers, take the opportunity to explore it. This is a great part of their heritage." For more information on the region, visit: http://www.maine.gov/allagash.