The 37th Annual Adirondack Canoe Classic, the 3-day, 90-mile paddling event from Old Forge to Saranac Lake, will take place September 6 – 8, 2019. Here is what you need to know:

The 90-Miler attracts a full contingent of solo, tandem, 4 person and 8 person canoes, solo and tandem kayaks and one and two person guide boats. More than 600 people, from 22 different states, are expected to take part during the fall foliage season.

The Adirondack Watershed Alliance (AWA) works with local municipalities, tourism agencies, volunteer groups and local businesses to host paddlers for this North Country event. Civic organizations working with the AWA are expected to generate more than $10,000 dollars for local projects during the event. The towns of Webb, Long Lake, Inlet, Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake house, feed, and gas-up paddlers and their support crews. Many teams visit the area several times over the course of the summer for paddle training and vacation.

The 90-Miler community includes a large contingent of local participants, as well as paddlers from as far away as New Mexico, California, Nebraska, and Canada. More than 50 people are members of the Gold Canoe Club: people who have finished the race at least 20 times in their paddling career.

Paddlers range in age from 10 to 80. There will be over 50 college students, representing several regional schools, paddling this year. There will be more than 150 first time 90-Miler paddlers in the event this year.

This three-day flat water race follows the original highways of the Adirondacks from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Expect the paddle route and the Lake Eaton and Fish Creek campgrounds, where 90-Miler paddlers, friends and family often stay, to be busy this weekend.

Watching the Race

The race starts on Friday at Old Forge. The route includes the Fulton Chain of Lakes, the Raquette Lake, the Marion River and the Eckford Chain of Lakes ending in Blue Mountain Lake at the end of day one. The best spots to watch include the Start in Old Forge from 8 – 9:30 am; several locations along Route 28 and the Finish Line in Blue Mountain Lake.

Saturday begins at Bissell’s on Long Lake continues down Long Lake and into the Raquette River to the state boat launch on Routes 3 & 30 (about five miles east of the village of Tupper Lake). The best spots to watch include the start at Bissell’s Field in Long Lake from 8:30 – 10:00 am, a hike into Stoney Creek on the Raquette River, and the Finish line at the Route 3 & 30 state access east of Tupper Lake.

Sunday begins at Fish Creek Campground proceeds down Upper Saranac Lake through the carry to Middle Saranac Lake and on to the Saranac River, into Lower Saranac Lake across Oseetah Lake and Lake Flower to the finish at Prescott Park in the village of Saranac Lake. The best spots to watch include the start at Fish Creek Campground, beginning at 8 am, a hike into Bartlett Carry and Finish Line festivities on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, beginning around noon.

More information including a list of participants, the various boat classifications, frequently asked questions, and links to the various supporters and sponsors who make the 90-Miler happen is available on the event website, or by calling the canoe race hot line (518) 891-2744.

The Adirondack Canoe Classic is hosted by the Adirondack Watershed Alliance, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Central Adirondack Association.

Photo of 90-miler participants provided.