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Six Mile Creek
The Ultimate Rafting Experience in the Anchorage Area
 



Class V - "Staircase"


Six Mile  is a whitewater river about an hour South of Anchorage that offers a Class V thrill.  Located on the Kenai Peninsula (see Map) (MP 59 Seward Highway and Hope Rd.), it is a favorite for those who seek the ultimate whitewater challenge.  Six Mile consists of three distinct canyons (sections actually) that increase with difficulty (IV, IV+, & V). The entire run is about 9 miles long with an average gradient of 43 fpm (max 57 fpm).  Since Six Mile runs along the road, one has the option of running any one of the canyons without having to run the whole river.

Six Mile Creek is typical pool and drop river.  It gets very narrow in some sections, especially at lower levels.  Because of this, a 14 footer is probably as large of a raft as you would want to run with.

According to Ron Clausen (experienced Six Mile veteran) the following are Six Mile Creek water levels:

LOW runnable level for a raft,  600cfs  or 9 on the gage.
MEDIUM level 2000cfs or 10.6 on the gage.
HIGH level 3000cfs or 11.3 on the gage.  Guest required to have class V experience.
TOO HIGH to do guided trips 3500cfs.

 A Story of Running Six Mile at the Oars for the First Time by Ted Coats
 

The following links are found on the "Knik Canoers and Kayakers" Page:

 A "How to Guide" to Raft Six Mile  by Jim Strutz   A great guide of how to raft Six Mile with river and rapid descriptions.

Doin' the Suck Hole Role   by Jim Strutz   What can happen on Six Mile when you don't do it right.

Commercial Guides of Six Mile:

Six Mile Water Level Data   From the Government - They're here to help us.....

Anchorage Doctor Killed on Six Mile Creek  - June 28, 1997

Two Canoeist Die on Six Mile Creek - May 21, 1995    AWA Report

Local Rafter Killed on Six Mile Creek  - June 6, 1993
 
 


KCK's Six Mile PaddleFest

Knik Canoers and Kayakers hold the annual Gene Schumar Memorial Six Mile PaddleFest each year at Six Mile Creek. See KCK's Page for last year's results and this page for 1999!


 

Photos of Six Mile Creek
 Photos by Ted Coats and Jim Strutz
First Canyon  -  Class IV
 


"Seventeen Ender Hole"
 


"Predator"
 


Down River View of "Predator"
 


Down River View of "Waterfall"  IV Rapid
 


The Waterfall
 


One of the several Six Mile Boulders
 


"Screaming Right Hand Turn"

Second Canyon (IV+)

"The Nozzle"
 


"The Anvil"
 

Third Canyon (V)

"Staircase" Class V


"Merry Go Round"



"Jaws"





Back to TC's Whitewater Rafting Page

Updated November 5, 1999

Copyright © 1999 All rights reserved