With forecasters predicting an unusually warm November and December, the paddling season looks to be one of the longest in recent memory. Although the maple leaves have fallen, there is still plenty of dazzling foliage to enjoy for the next few weeks.

The Presumpscot River drops 270 feet in its 25-mile march to the sea from Sebago Lake. One of the best places to enjoy late-season colors and a dizzying array of artistic reflections are the waters surrounding the confluence of the Little and Presumpscot Rivers near the Gorham-Westbrook line.

We recently explored for three hours on a blue sky Saturday morning, first paddling a mile up Little River from Route 237 to the whitewater riffles near the Route 202 bridge, then back out to the Presumpscot River, north two miles up to the Mallison Falls Dam, then south toward Westbrook. A week removed from a solid rainfall, both rivers were high and the current noticeable paddling upstream and pure delight on the downriver run.

Bounded by a dense hemlock forested slope on our left, we passed by a grove of red pine on our right as we glided through the early mists suspended six inches above Little River. Patches of frost were still visible on flattened mats of decaying grasses and vegetation. We came to a large deadfall across the river that looked to be impassable but were able to sneak around it.

A few mallards lifted off the water ahead of us and headed upriver. Later as we ventured back out toward the Presumpscot, a curious muskrat stopped midriver and placidly eyed us. The Little River is a comfortable cocoon of wildness spilling out into a big river environment.

The wide Presumpscot very much reminded us of the upper reaches of the Saco River east of Fryeburg. Towering pines line much of the shoreline as you head upriver, boldly accentuated by the deep blue sky of autumn. A common merganser with its telltale white wing bars playfully stayed 50 yards ahead of us as we slowly worked our way along the shoreline, taking countless pictures of tree trunk reflections in the water. Every possible shade of brown and yellow were reflected down across the water from riverside oaks and beech. Some of the oak leaves were a brilliant regal dark red, rivaling any maple in their majesty.

A blue heron lifted off from the opposite shoreline. A cormorant suddenly appeared at the surface only feet away. As it escaped the clutch of the muddied water, it arced around the bow of our canoe and with a slight flight plan miscalculation almost hit my wife right between the eyes. A pileated woodpecker landed on a decaying hardwood yards up from the water and began its rhythmic tapping. A male cardinal landed in a treetop, its showy red brilliant in the low morning sun.

Just before rounding a bend upriver we heard tumbling water and then spied Mallison Falls Dam a quarter-mile ahead and the turbulent whitewater below it. It was time to turn around and explore south of Little River. As we surged with the current, we looked over to a grove of trees and spied a dozen turkeys jostling in the shade.

Two miles south of Little River we began to see more development on the outskirts of Westbrook. We turned around at a power line swath and headed back to Little River, stopping to inspect a wasp nest hanging from a maple branch leaning over the river. The freshening southerly breeze bandied it about as we patiently tried to take a picture.

Afternoon chores beckoned as we paddled back to the launch site and carefully extricated ourselves from the canoe. This primitive launch site is part of the three-acre St. Pierre property maintained by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust. Parking is usually no problem this time of year. A mown path leads a few yards down to the river adjacent to the bridge. The put-in spot is small and the water deep. You will have to be agile launching here, and wear boots you don’t mind getting muddy. A short loop trail meanders through field and forest around the preserve and we enjoyed a circuit of the property before heading home. Consult the Delorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer (map #5) for help in getting to the boat launch on Route 237 in Gorham, 1.5 miles north of Mosher Corner.

Michael Perry is the former director of the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools, and founder of Dreams Unlimited, specializing in inspiring outdoor slide programs for civic groups, businesses, and schools. Contact:

michaelj_perry@comcast.net