The Magic Mile
| Run Length |
13.8 miles |
Average Gradient |
270 fpm |
| Difficulty |
Class V+ |
Recommended Flow |
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| River |
Kings River |
Location |
Palmer, Alaska |
| Author |
Tim Johnson |
Current Level |
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| Drainage |
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Elevation |
1875ft to 530ft |
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Kings River
The Kings River pours out of the Talkeetna mountains. It is turqouise blue in color and is dotted with huge, white granite boulders everywhere, especially in the Magic Mile. The Magic Mile is the steepest section of the Kings River, dropping 400 feet per mile. The 1st major rapid, Bubblegum, and the 2 last big drops, Underground Railroad and Home-Plate, stand out as the largest and most difficult rapids on the river. This section is exactly 1 mile long and is full of class IV/V- drops inbetween these class V rapids. Scenery, as well as the whitewater, is top-notch. The catch? A hellish hike-in down a 12 mile long 4WD trail congested with muddy ruts, boulders, land slides, and alders.
Make sure to get out at the first horizon line you see because this is the first major drop and the river doesn't let up for so much as 1 second after that. Kings is an extremely fun run, but also has some harsh consequences, as it is stuffed with undercut rocks and sieves. However, there is usually not much wood or logs in it at all, typical of the high Talkeetna mountain streams. Either take out after the Magic Mile or float another 10 miles (4 hours) to the Glenn Highway Kings River bridge crossing and takeout. There is a lower canyon, but its over quick (class IV+). Highly recommended run if you have the means for a shuttle. Paddlers also have been known to do helicopter shuttles here, though it is rather expensive.
Disclaimer
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| | Put-In
The ideal way to get to the put-in is to bring ATV's to do a shuttle and drive up Permanente Road (just before Milepost 72 of the Glenn Highway) until you come to the East Fork of the Kings River. Float for about 10 minutes, then you enter the magic mile. | | | Take-Out
Glenn Highway bridge over Kings River. |
Add Rapid
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