The 38th annual Adirondack Canoe Classic — the 90-Miler — will take place Sept. 10-12, with over 500 paddlers and 250 boats racing from Old Forge to Saranac Lake over the course of three days.
Hosted this year for the first time by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, with support from long-time race organizers Brian and Grace McDonnell, the event includes a full contingent of solo, tandem, four-person, and eight-person canoes as well as solo and tandem kayaks and one- and two-person guideboats.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) works with local municipalities, tourism agencies, volunteer groups and local businesses to host paddlers for this iconic North Country event. Race revenue is directed back into stewardship, maintenance and access projects on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and adjacent waterways from Old Forge, NY, to Fort Kent, Maine. Additionally, civic organizations working with the NFCT generate thousands of dollars for local projects during the 90-Miler. The towns of Webb, Long Lake, Inlet, Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake house, feed and gas up paddlers and their support crews not just for the 90, but for countless paddlers who pass through the Adirondacks.
The 90-Miler community is represented by a large contingent of local participants; more than 50 people are members of the Gold Canoe Club — paddlers who have finished the 90 Miler at least 20 times. Participants range in age from 10 to 80. There will be over 50 students representing several regional colleges and universities paddling this year, and more than 100 first-time 90-Milers.
The best spots for spectators are as follows:
- Day 1: The start in Old Forge, 8-9:30 a.m., several locations along state Route 28 and the finish line in Blue Mountain Lake.
- Day 2: The start at Bissell’s Field in Long Lake, from 8:30-10a.m., a hike into Stoney Creek on the Raquette River, and the finish line at the Route 3/30 DEC Fishing Access east of Tupper Lake.
- Day 3: The start at 8:30 a.m. at Fish Creek Campground, a hike into Bartlett Carry and the finish line festivities at Riverfront Park on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake.
For more information including a list of participants, boat classifications, COVID-19 protocols, frequently asked questions and more, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org/