paddling.Jimstrutz.com © 2008
Taylor Hwy to Eagle -- About 140 miles.
Report based on two trips by the author -- 2003 & 2004
My Fortymile pictures are here:
How to get there
Drive out the Glenn Highway, past Glennallen, to Tok. Turn right on the Alaska Highway & drive about 20 miles south. Turn left on the Taylor Highway and drive to mile 112 if you want to put in at the Fortymile Bridge. You will have to turn left when you get to the Top of the World Highway or you'll end up at the Canadian border. The put at Fortymile Bridge in is on the east (right) at the south (near) bank of the river. You can drive to near the edge of the river, but if you don't have four wheel drive, be careful. Parking is available across the highway in a decent parking lot that also has an outhouse.
Alternatively, you can put in earlier at about mile 76, just past Chicken. There is a large turnout on the North side of the road just past the bridge with place to park your cars. This makes for about 40 miles of floating to get to the Fortymile Bridge. At low water this adds 3 float days.
The take out is in the town of Eagle. Look for the signs directing you a little up river from down town Eagle. You can drive down a steep access to the river's edge when loading up at the end of your trip. Most services are available in Eagle but may not be at all hours. You may want to schedule your trip so that you don't end up doing your shuttle on a Sunday. It's about 450 miles from Anchorage to the put in. The drive to the take out at Eagle is about 50 miles further.
Alternatively, you can take out at Clinton Creek, which is just a few miles before the Fortymile merges with the Yukon River. There is a decent 20 mile road heading South to the Top of the World Hwy, about 20 miles inside Canada.
River Description
The lower Fortymile River is mostly flat water with a couple small rapids and one moderate rapid (Class III at higher flows) a mile above the Fortymile Bridge and another a few miles above Clinton Creek.. Portaging or lining your boat through these rapids is an option unless the water is very high. Like most rapids they change depending on water level. The Yukon River is a large fast flowing flat water river in this section.
Take breaks every few hours to stretch and explore early Alaska/Yukon mining historical stuff. There is also good fishing for Grayling and Rainbow Trout. Also some King Salmon, Red salmon, Lamprey, Steelhead, and Dolly Varden.
We found the water at near record low levels for June both trips so our experience is perhaps a bit skewed. The rapids were no more than class II at this level. The Canoers didn't even scout them first, but probably should have since they nearly swam twice. :)
At very high water, campsites might be difficult to find, but they are there. We had six boats on both trips, and all campsites we used would have been fine for 30+ people.
How to get there
Drive out the Glenn Highway, past Glennallen, to Tok. Turn right on the Alaska Highway & drive about 20 miles south. Turn left on the Taylor Highway and drive to mile 112 if you want to put in at the Fortymile Bridge. You will have to turn left when you get to the Top of the World Highway or you'll end up at the Canadian border. The put at Fortymile Bridge in is on the east (right) at the south (near) bank of the river. You can drive to near the edge of the river, but if you don't have four wheel drive, be careful. Parking is available across the highway in a decent parking lot that also has an outhouse.
Alternatively, you can put in earlier at about mile 76, just past Chicken. There is a large turnout on the North side of the road just past the bridge with place to park your cars. This makes for about 40 miles of floating to get to the Fortymile Bridge. At low water this adds 3 float days.
The take out is in the town of Eagle. Look for the signs directing you a little up river from down town Eagle. You can drive down a steep access to the river's edge when loading up at the end of your trip. Most services are available in Eagle but may not be at all hours. You may want to schedule your trip so that you don't end up doing your shuttle on a Sunday. It's about 450 miles from Anchorage to the put in. The drive to the take out at Eagle is about 50 miles further.
Alternatively, you can take out at Clinton Creek, which is just a few miles before the Fortymile merges with the Yukon River. There is a decent 20 mile road heading South to the Top of the World Hwy, about 20 miles inside Canada.
River Description
The lower Fortymile River is mostly flat water with a couple small rapids and one moderate rapid (Class III at higher flows) a mile above the Fortymile Bridge and another a few miles above Clinton Creek.. Portaging or lining your boat through these rapids is an option unless the water is very high. Like most rapids they change depending on water level. The Yukon River is a large fast flowing flat water river in this section.
Take breaks every few hours to stretch and explore early Alaska/Yukon mining historical stuff. There is also good fishing for Grayling and Rainbow Trout. Also some King Salmon, Red salmon, Lamprey, Steelhead, and Dolly Varden.
We found the water at near record low levels for June both trips so our experience is perhaps a bit skewed. The rapids were no more than class II at this level. The Canoers didn't even scout them first, but probably should have since they nearly swam twice. :)
At very high water, campsites might be difficult to find, but they are there. We had six boats on both trips, and all campsites we used would have been fine for 30+ people.
Waiting for the fires to clear
Deadman’s Riffle
Abandoned Fortymile townsite
