Sixmile (& E. Fork Sixmile)
Seward Hwy along E. Fork of Six Mile to Sunshine
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 9.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 43 fpm |
| Gauge | Sixmile C Nr Hope Ak |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 790 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 14, 2012 |
River Description
Once famous as the site of the 1895 gold rush, this creek is becoming increasingly well known as the gathering place for Anchorage paddlers and in recent years has been marketed as a destination for high-adventure commercial raft trips. The reasons are obvious: the quality of the whitewater is exceptional, the water is a beautiful, the scenery is breathtaking, the season is long, and it's close to Anchorage making it convenient for locals or those cruising through from out of town.
The run can be divided into two sections. The upper section is actually on the East Fork. Here the river squeezes through a narrow bedrock canyon, the first canyon which contains several fun class IV rapids, and although the road is close by you feel secluded down at river level. This short upper canyon ends as the river opens up at the confluence with Canyon Creek. This major tributary pumps up the flow considerably and from this point you're on Sixmile Creek. For the next few miles you won't find much action as the river bubbles along through class II, but as you enter the two lower canyons the intensity begins to pick up.
The second canyon begins just after Boston Bar, a beautiful site on the river recognized by a dramatic avalanche chute on river right. Even though the rapids are mild leading up to this section, the scnery is truly impressive. Just downstream the river squeezes between the walls of the short but fun second canyon. Generally regarded as class IV+ at recommended flows the drops come in quick succession before the river opens up again between the second and third canyons. This stretch between the two canyons is characterized by class II/III rapids and if you feel like you had your hands full in the second canyon, now is the time to take out.
The third canyon, generally regarded as a class V run, starts to build slowly in intensity but eventually you'll reach the first major rapid at Staircase. Here a large midstream bedrock outcrop and a distinct hor
...River Features
East Fork Sixmile Put-in
A large pullout with a smooth walkway down to the river serves as the usual put-in for boaters running all three canyons. For a little over a mile and a half, the river rolls through easy and beautiful class I-II terrain making for a pleasant warm-up. Until you reach the confluence with Canyon Creek below First Canyon, you are technically on the E. Fork of Sixmile Creek.
Canyon Creek River Access
The confluence of E. Fork of Sixmile and Canyon Creek is a common access point for boaters just wanting to run First Canyon. There's no boat ramp and you must navigate a little brush to get to your vehicle from the river, so not particularly good access for rafts. It's great for kayakers and packrafters, however, not feeling up to the challenge of the lower canyons. You can reach this spot via a large dirt lot on the right immediately after turning onto the Hope Road. There's a bathroom here and a dirt road that curls down to parking beside Canyon Creek. Three-and-a-half miles of mellow and beautiful class II paddling follow.
Boston Bar River Access
This excellent river access is common for boaters wanting just to run Second and Third Canyons, which makes for an exciting 4-mile stretch of classic whitewater. Boston Bar is at mm 3.3 on the Hope Road. There is room for a dozen cars or so in the pullout off the highway and a bumpy dirt road takes you to a meadow with more parking. From here, a short-ish trail leads down to the waterside. After putting-in, you'll encounter a short section of warm-up rapids before entering Second Canyon.
Note: Boston Bar also functions as the headquarters/campground/music venue for the annual Six Mile Creek Whitewater and Bluegrass Festival
Second Canyon Takeout
There is a good pullout here off the road with designated parking spaces. There is also a nice wide boat ramp and good takeout eddy making this a decent access point for rafts and other big boats. This pullout is found at mm 4.5 off the Hope Road.
Takeout
The takeout for Third Canyon is found off mm 7.1 on the Hope Road just past a sign warning to beware of hidden driveways. A winding dirt road leads to an excellent boat ramp with a decent eddy.
I pulled these mileages from Google Earth... not sure why they don't match the general info section's 9.3 total miles.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report4/25/2005 - Some ice bridges above the first canyon, but the main drops are clear. There is a submerged log spanning the river in Waterfall.
Dan get ready to push into the 1st canyon past 17-Ender hole.
Whitewater safety sign along Sixmile Creek.