Many stream crossings, particularly in Maine, do not have bridges. This has to do with the remoteness of the locations, the effort required to build and maintain them, and the likely potential that spring melt will take them out. So when hiking in Maine you need to be prepared to cross streams even if the guide book says there is a bridge.
In the spring of 2005, Spider Bridge over the Wild River in Evans Notch was washed out. Today you can still see the concrete pilings that stand well over 10 feet above the normal water level. Much of the remains can still be found miles downstream. Guidebooks that have not been updated will still include the bridge in the trail description.
When you encounter a stream crossing that does not have step stones and you will need to wade across, first take some time and scout up and down stream for a better place to cross. If you can find a place with enough rocks close enough together, life is good. If you can’t find rocks to cross on, look for places where the stream widens out — this will generally be slower moving water but also may be deeper. There will often be a beaten path that leads to a good place to cross.
When looking for a place to cross, be mindful of “strainers” or trees and other obstacles that you would get swept into and most likely pinned against. Trees will allow water to flow through them, but you would get tangled in the branches and face the real possibility of drowning. Bottom line, if you can’t find a safe place to cross, turn back. Do not take unnecessary risks.
Rule No. 1: Do not cross in bare feet even though your natural desire is to keep your boots dry. Crossing in bare feet is just a bad idea. Plan ahead and bring a pair of water shoes or sandals that will attach securely to your feet.
Do not use flip-flops as that will not stay on your feet and you will end up barefoot. Refer to rule No. 1. Store your socks, boots and gaiters inside your pack or attached securely to the outside.
Crossing in bare feet runs the risks of poor traction on slippery rocks on the bottom, an injury to your foot from sharp rocks or other obstacles and increased risk of falling.
If you did not bring sandals, take off your boots, socks, pull out the insoles of your boots and put your boots back on and lace them securely. If you are with someone, there are several techniques that can be used to assist each other.
If you are alone, turn to face upstream so the force of the water is against the front of your knees. Use a pole as a third leg to steady yourself. Quite often you will find stacks of poles on either side of the crossing that previous hikers have found, used and left for the next person.
Once on the far side, dump out your boots, and you can often mop up most if not all the water with a bandana. Put your insoles back and your socks back on, and lace up your boots. Your feet may be wet, but they should be tolerable. After hiking for a short time, you can stop and wring out your socks or switch to dry socks.
Before entering the water, unbuckle your pack waist belt and loosen your pack straps. If you fall, you do not want to be dragged to the bottom by your gear and want to get out of your pack as quickly as possible.
We were on day two of a four-day backpacking/leadership training that I was instructing in June several years ago. This day it had rained most of the day and was predicted to rain through the night. We reached our intended campsite in the early afternoon that had tent platforms, a lean-to, privy, fire ring, etc. At this site, there was a stream crossing and then another a few tenths of a mile further up the trail. The group needed to decide whether to cross on the rocks that were exposed and make a campsite somewhere off the trail beyond the second crossing, or use the lean-to, tent platforms, privy, and established site and cross in the morning with the potential that the water would come up and be a wet crossing.
The students made the decision to cross in the morning. That night we stayed relatively dry in the established site despite the continued rain. When we got up the next morning the water had come up several inches and the rocks that we could have crossed on the day before were now under several inches of rushing water. The first crossing was not bad and after getting a briefing on how to safely attempt the crossing the group scouted and found a good crossing and everyone made it across fine.
At the second crossing, the situation looked much worse. The students had been instructed to scout up and down stream to look for better places to cross and had decided that where the trail crossed was the best place. The water was deeper but had less current. One of the stronger students went first, and we established a rope that could be used to assist. Everyone crossed safely but wet. I was the last to cross after uniting the rope from my side. I was putting my socks back on and told the group they could go on ahead and that I would catch up.
I was very familiar with this trail and knew that after the crossing the trail took a sharp turn and went upstream along the bank. There also was a well-beaten path that led straight ahead to an unofficial campsite. The group proceeded to go straight as I finished with my boots. After a few minutes of waiting, the group returned and then looked at the map and noticed the turn in the trail. The final straw was when the group followed the trail upstream for a short distance and noticed a place where it could have easily crossed dry if only they had scouted a little further. I had known about this crossing, and the students were quite upset with me for not telling them. I said that is why we call it experiential learning.
For more information, check out these resources:
Basic Search and Rescue Training
Maine Association for Search and Rescue
Maine Wilderness Guides Organization
Pine Tree Search and Rescue Facebook page
Bryan Courtois is a hiker and camper who is a registered Maine guide, president of Pine Tree Search and Rescue, MASAR search team leader, and the statewide education director and a member of the board of directors of the Maine Association for Search and Rescue.