Backcountry Culinary Expedition
Three Days Paddling the East Branch Penobscot: Rugged Adventure with Gourmet Dining
August 9th to August 11th | Limited to 6 guests only
Join us. Spend three days, two nights canoe camping on the legendary East Branch Penobscot River with a Registered Maine Guide while enjoying gourmet meals cooked by a classically-trained fine dining chef. Paddle the East Branch by day and spend the night at remote, water-access sites throughout the North Maine Woods and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Swim in the river and stoke the camp fire as dinner is being prepared for you and the crew. Play cards by headlamp and stargaze under a beautifully dark sky, deep in the wilderness. These trips offer rugged, backcountry adventure (yet still safe and comfortable for all skill levels!) with gourmet, frontcountry meals.
Details. Three days of paddling to cover approximately 17 miles of the East Branch Penobscot between put-in at a private sporting lodge just south of Matagamon Lake and take-out at Whetstone Falls, guided by Great Mountain Guide Service. Pace for each day will be leisurely, with a priority on enjoying the sights and sounds of the East Branch and connecting with the wilderness around us. A few short stretches of beginner-level rapids will offer an opportunity for developing river paddling skills. Site options for the first night offer remote peace and quiet, while the second night will provide access to picnic tables, tent platforms, and outhouses.
What’s Provided.
knowledgeable staff with years of experience on the East Branch Penobscot
introductory paddling and river navigation overview with a Registered Maine Guide
canoes, paddles, PFDs, safety gear, dry bags for camping equipment and clothing
third party car shuttle from put-in to take-out
all meals prepared by an expedition chef (7 meals over 3 days)
What you’ll need to bring.
basic camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad, pillow, etc.)*
appropriate outdoor clothing including rain layers
headlamp, water bottle, camp mug
water-friendly footwear (Chacos, Crocs, watershoes, etc.)
adult beverages
additional snacks if desired (sharing snacks with new friends is what makes camping fun)
an adventurous attitude and open mind
*a packing list will be provided in advance of the trip; if you’re missing a specific item, let us know and we may be able to assist with additional loaner equipment
Things you don’t need to worry about…
Logistics. From pre-trip accommodation suggestions and organizing a third-party car shuttle to canoe rentals and navigation: we do it all. Just show up and enjoy a memorable, backcountry vacation like no other without having to do any planning.
Gear. Beyond some basic camping equipment and your own attire, we provide everything needed: paddles, canoes, dry bags, PFDs, safety equipment, outdoor cooking implements, firewood, and camp plates.
Safety. Our crew has all the knowledge, experience, and training needed for safe, fun, and comfortable recreation through the backcountry—both on foot and on the river. Great Mountain Guide Service has offered trips on this exact stretch of water for many years.
Meals and Cooking. Relax, swim, nap, play games, or just sit by the fire with a drink while your expedition chef cooks a gourmet meal right in front of you. A full menu is custom-tailored for each trip to fit the preferences and palettes of our guests.
What you can focus on instead…
Slowing down and disconnecting. Prepare for little to no cell service (you’re welcome).
Meeting new friends. Bring a few bottles of your favorite wine to share, tell a story around the campfire, help a new pal string twinkle lights up around the awning for dinner.
Trying something new. If you’ve never done a river trip or multi-day canoe camping outing, this is a great opportunity to get your feet wet (joke intended?) and explore the backcountry safely with a guiding service.
Enjoying a unique vacation. Wilderness vibes, adventurous days on the river, quiet nights under the stars, and restaurant quality meals. You’ll come away from this unique experience with lifelong memories and stories.
Pricing and additional information.
$1399/person, all-inclusive
half deposit and signed waiver holds your spot
guests will be paired up into teams for each two person canoe
dry bags for clothing and electronics will be provided, but prepare to get wet and pack accordingly!
trips are capped at 6 guests plus 2 staff for a total crew of 8
Meet your wilderness guide. Jesika Lucarelli runs Great Mountain Guide Service—the name itself an homage to Katahdin, meaning Great Mountain in the Old Penobscot language. Jes has led countless excursions serving hundreds of guests throughout the state of Maine. She has extensive knowledge of the trails, camps, river systems, and biomes surrounding Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. She’s a Registered Maine Guide for recreation, white water, and hunting. She’s also a licensed Wilderness First Responder and a dedicated outdoor leader and educator. When she’s not guiding clients or busting a move during headlamp cabin dance parties, she loves IPAs, cooking in her outdoor kitchen, and adventuring with her two pups Kelly Clarkson and Cardi B.
Meet your expedition chef. Justin Smulski is a fine dining chef turned freelance photographer with a portfolio based mostly around outdoor adventure, tourism, and guiding services/wilderness lodges. He was classically trained in French and Italian cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge, Massachusetts before cutting his teeth at restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine. Beyond his freelance photography work, he also offers small group culinary experiences, cooking classes, and private dinner events. He’s just as comfortable cooking in high-end restaurant kitchens as he is making risotto over a Jetboil in the backcountry. He loves road trips with his friends, gas station crab rolls, a well-made Negroni in the woods, and making awful playlists for aforementioned headlamp cabin dance parties.