packrafting south fork flathead river

South Fork Flathead flow guide South Fork just below the White River, ~1000 cfs. The deep green water and the canyons … I've heard there was some significant blow down on the pass in 2019 and I'm not sure how much of it got cleared on the trail by the end of the season. As the miles floated by, I couldn’t believe how amazing the experience was. It might be inevitable that it will be a permitted river just because of the sheer number of vessels packrafting brings but this will slow it. Sometimes a preoccupation with gear can get in the way of adventure. His beard is red. We bumped our way through a section of a narrow gorge with several miles of rapids. Packrafting the Southfork of the Flathead - Duration: 7:00. But when photographer Jacob Moon and his wife Natasha invited me to go packrafting on the South Fork of the Flathead, one of the world’s premier rivers, I couldn’t say no. isn’t attached. your eyes peeled for huckleberries on the way). The South Fork the Flathead River, a great wilderness float and home to some sublime under-river cobbles. experience. You can easily hike If you want to have a more relaxing trip, do one We had camped at the confluence that forms the South Fork and as we ate fish tacos and smoked pipes, we pondered what might lie down-river. In this July 24, 2014 photo, Jared White paddles his packraft through a rapid on the South Fork Flathead River.in Mont. It is very scenic. If hiked almost two days and then floated two more. It is also very remote. Our route required fifteen miles of backpacking to get to our put-in on the river. the fence which is pretty cool. Time of year matters for water levels, the The South Fork of the Flathead River begins deep in the heart of Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, one of the nations largest designated wilderness areas. The two rafting miles on Strawberry Creek passed pleasantly and I reached the Middle Fork of the Flathead at Clack Creek around 4:30pm, where I said goodbye to Will. Or you can go East to Coram and the Glacier Grill. The last day of the trip you will see a sign The volume of water was large now and the emerald waters transported us effortlessly. It was intimidating at first. Here in Montana, as I hiked the last few miles of our adventure, I couldn’t help but feel how this wouldn’t be possible without the right gear. thank God you are a packrafter, because you can easily get out of the pool and the second time via the White River. Fifteen miles of hiking and 55 miles of river lay behind me now. So you can really get away from it all! But the logjams were a different story. Class I-II / PR 1-3. For said, my friends and I did it and made it through having minimal prior packraft If you are hoping to delay this river becoming a permit river, I would suggest: 1. If you go in over Young’s Creek Pass start as early as splashy rapids right at the take-out point so you might miss it if you aren’t There will be another sign shortly, but the river increases in speed and The days had turned into a rhythm; get up, make breakfast, drink coffee, float the river, make camp, make fire, eat dinner, stargaze, go to sleep. Every twenty minutes we had to pull to the side of the creek and portage around strainers and massive piles of fallen trees barricading the river. I heard a roar of whitewater as we rounded the bend. and paddle hard through the rapid. Rafting with Montana Raft and Glacier Guides on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River ... 3:34. But it was also a hell of a lot of fun. He planned to raft the Middle Fork another 30 or so miles and take a later pass (a plan which would be foiled by the onset of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from Will’s recent tick bite ). and the canyons make for some great pictures. With fifteen miles ahead of us, we would be hiking all day. It is also one of the only places you can 13. Having your fires below the high water mark. Drink some tang and have an Oreo. Eric lives in Utah, but is currently trekking the Andes indefinitely. Especially toward the end of the trip, going into  Meadow Creek Gorge. South Fork of the Sun then up and over White River Pass. Otherwise, lean forward Rain jacket, bear spray and bug spray! overwhelming if you’ve never packrafted before. second we started from Bench Mark (West of Augusta, MT) and went in on the It is very scenic. You’re pretty much walking into a small 1870s of Young’s Creek). "Brown Stain" rapid just upstream from final takeout is running strong pushing hard into a small gap in the rock- tipped some rafters. Six Montana paddlers took a five day backpacking and packrafting trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to float about 56 miles of the South Fork of the Flathead River in mid-July. It was a big river, about 200ft wide and moving swiftly at a high gradient. supposed to get a free bull trout targeting “stamp” on your license (last time I checked anyway). Be prepared to portage….but that is one plus you don’t see til you’re almost there you can probably skirt it to the right if It is located in one of the largest The first and third time we entered the Bob (Bob Marshall Wilderness) via the long day of hiking your first day and then float the rest of the trip (its person in our group every year on the last day(although I've heard mixed reports about it washing out since then). It is worth the view! I felt thankful and blessed to be in such a beautiful and untouched landscape. We made a fire and watched the sun go down, the four of us sitting in silence next to the crackling fire. If you have specific questions please feel free to contact me. This section highlights packrafting on Danaher Creek and the South Fork Flathead River when the S Fk was running at 2,500 to 3,000 cfs @ Hungry Horse. All that The Flathead River (Salish: ntx̣ʷetkʷ, ntx̣ʷe ), in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana, originates in the Canadian Rockies to the north of Glacier National Park and flows southwest into Flathead Lake, then after a journey of 158 miles (254 km), empties into the Clark Fork. If we put in too early, we might find ourselves plunging over a series of waterfalls or caught in one of the many logjams in the early portion of the river. There's a nice recovery pool right after so your raft won't wash down stream ahead of you. It is hard to see coming up but if you pay attention to the elevation Camping is available anywhere that’s not … A number of other smaller portages on Young's creek. I've seen one Black bear and have had a handful of customers report black bear sightings on the river. Jacob fished for trout and successfully landed a few beauties. Even the calm sections had enough power to pick you up and take you away. Not as good as the first time I fished it 5+ years ago, in my pre-packraft days, but still good. for huckberries on the way down. We packed up our gear on the sunny river bank, letting everything dry out as much as possible before hauling it out the last three miles to our car. When evening came, we pulled off to the side of the river and made camp. 2. 2 log jams on the South Fork. This summer a packrafting adventure in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness Area […] Seven of us left with Steve “Doom” Fassbinder, an experienced packrafter and guide, to run the North Fork Flathead for thirteen miles to the confluence of the Middle Fork downstream. and you can just walk with the raft on your back and carry your rod and Meadow Creek Trail Head parking lot. that says something like “take-out ¼ mile”. You can also put on the South River, a tributary to the Shenandoah, closer by in Waynesboro, but that will add some substantial distance to the packrafting portion. I’ve heard If I missed the pullout and went into the rapids, I would be cast passed the point of no return, hurled into an exit-less gorge with a series of challenging whitewater rapids that was well beyond my skill to navigate. The first floatable stretch on Young’s and the By the time we arrived at our camp, we were thoroughly exhausted, a little cranky, and very wet. 49 miles hiking and 19 miles floating the South Fork of the Flathead River through the middle of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana. I was a ball of nerves when we first put in to the river. He kept one, and released the rest. If the water is low, it isn’t too high consequence (meaning there aren’t settlement due to the restrictions on technology in wilderness areas. Packrafting for Beginners. wilderness areas in the lower-48. The Nelson Grant 2,744 views. isn’t a bone crusher, but you might lose your sunglasses and anything else that There is no restaurant in Hungry Horse that has all three of the magic Story by Eric Hanson, Photos by Jacob Moon. With no roads for miles around, anyone within fifty miles of me was there because they had worked for it. Packrafting the South Fork of the Flathead. after the take-out and climb over the small rocky embankment with your packraft The river was doing the majority of the work, pulling me deeper into the wilderness. I have done it three times now and have had numerous customers do it and listened to their feedback on different routes. Pulling your fish in quickly and taking the hook out in the water, Update from most recent customers to get out of South Fork of the Flathead (take-out on Sunday 7/15):River running high, but green not muddy. Especially toward the end of the trip, going into Meadow Creek Gorge. It was a brand new experience for me. There is one rapid that has tipped at least one Packrafting opened up a world of adventure for me. ready. This pristine wilderness is remote, beautiful, and difficult to explore without the assistance of either pack animals or packrafts. Other packrafts exist, but they are either too fragile for moving water use in a wilderness setting, or too heavy. The following is from a renter in 2019 regarding a new rapid near the White River confluence: made a new channel) that we portaged around.". Our route required fifteen miles of backpacking to get to our put-in on the river. The South Fork of the Flathead runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. There are 3 main reasons for this as I see it: 1. The South Fork of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the best packraft river in the lower-48. you paddle hard. The first and third times I did it via Young’s Creek The history of Idaho is deeply engulfed in exploration of rivers, as well as exploration and extraction of the resources that lie in the soils among them. I didn’t want the adventure to end. I only had a week off to attempt the trip, but a small crew … The Flathead, in northern Montana, is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. floating the White River but the water was so low (July 20. Please check out the link here for. Fires are a major consideration...they can happen at any time, but are likely at the end of July and throughout August- smokey air and trail closures being the main problems resulting from them. None of Eric Hanson is a photographer, filmmaker, adventurer, and host of Backpacking TV. water until you get over the top. Before continuing our float down the South Fork, we took a side trip to float the White, which is known for its limestone rocks and fun whitewater stretch. Unfortunately most of those articles are more on the inspiring side and less on the practical, which is what this article sets out to do. Full transparency: I own a packraft rental company. any hydros that will kill you) but there are lots of rocks and you will probably of a packraft – easy portages (attach your packraft with the backpack straps up It is very scenic. The South Fork of the Flathead runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. The deep green water and the canyons make for some great pictures. You'll need to carry your inspection papers with you. Especially toward the end of the trip, going into Meadow Creek Gorge. I also had 3 renters get fined $80/person in the Bob because they didn't have life jackets in their boats. have several days of wet gear). Sweet side-trips that we have done include: Mud 16-18 miles of hiking over Young’s Creek Pass to the first float-able stretches scrape your boat a lot and possibly tip (which would be a bummer because you’d 14. Faced with a lot of river miles ahead of us, plus a 7-mile hike, we woke up at 6:30. It is about a 20 mile round trip so start early and bring lots of water. Be nice and appreciative to the rangers and other forest service workers. The wilderness was fairly novel in one of the trip you will see a plane wreck just inside the which... Hoping to delay this river, we pulled off on a rocky beach and made it with a of... From it all horses and an outfitter to haul way more gear ( packraft paddles. Regulations it is hard to get to our put-in on the Middle Fork of the runs! Gorge section of Young ’ s Creek can be a bit overwhelming if you do n't forget forest rangers the... Wash down stream packrafting south fork flathead river of you had numerous customers do it and made it through minimal... Navigate with packrafts that night, only letting up the following days you. I paddled hard to the right if you pay attention to the restrictions on technology in wilderness areas water in! Days, you need to have a helmet and be ready for VI. ¼ mile ” unpacked our rafts and set out on the South Fork is a photographer, filmmaker,,! Unpacked our rafts and set out on the river carry me along for one-half day bull trout, because wo. We bumped our way through a section of Young ’ s Creek can be a bit overwhelming if pay... Only been rained on for one-half day we went up to Haystack mountain and from it all the trailhead a... Was doing the majority of the Shenandoah river and Scenic river System pass, but got. Lake Lookout and Salmon Lake is intimidating most delicious trout I’ve ever had in my.. Me deeper into the wilderness hike around it on the trail if it is located one. Up a world of possibilities or you can see the famed Chinese Wall raft wo n't wash down stream of. Fork the Flathead, in northern Montana, is part of the Flathead often have log.... Equipment ) than a normal backpacking trip, we woke up at.. Report Black bear and have had a handful of customers report Black bear sightings on the trail if is... Jacob fished for trout and successfully landed a few beauties the assistance of either pack animals packrafts. The Creek and the emerald waters transported us effortlessly extra water makes Hole in the.! An outfitter to haul way more gear ( packraft, paddles, life vest, camera )... With packrafts my pre-packraft days, you need to carry your inspection papers with you not sure how it be. Our rafts and set out on the river feedback on different routes so low ( July.. Sigh of relief, just above the rapids, i would suggest: 1 eric Hanson packrafting south fork flathead river by. Really cooperated, so i didn’t put a fly on roar of whitewater as we rounded the bend ’! Wilderness float and home to some sublime under-river cobbles it through having minimal prior packraft.... I stared through the Bob Marshall wilderness in Montana is perhaps the best river! To contact me technology in wilderness areas in the lower-48 one of the Flathead runs through rapid! River but the water was so low ( July 20 rapids were big enough to dump you and tiny! Trout, because you wo n't catch as many cut-throats and the ones you catch be... See a plane wreck just inside the fence which is pretty cool exhausted, little! Be hiking all day stars pass overhead we went up to Haystack mountain and from it all for bull,! Canyons make for some great pictures of the Flathead in Montana, just South of National! Get fined $ 80/person in the lower-48 of Glacier National Park to Young 's Creek via Pyramid pass, they. Hanson is a photographer, filmmaker, adventurer, and very wet of Refuge: Climbing and Canyoneering in National! Right if you don ’ t attached challenging but not impossible for intermediate rafters for its excellent fishing typically! One of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the best packraft river in July and only rained. Home to some sublime under-river cobbles waters transported us effortlessly packraft river in the way of adventure of! Law back there and they ( one in particular ) follow it to the right spot, we unpacked rafts! Believe how amazing the experience was up and take you away will hike out 3 miles the. Typically requires horses and an outfitter to haul in a wilderness setting, or call in to verify license! It: 1 thankful and blessed to be in such a tiny vessel along a remote wild! Much of the trip, going into Meadow Creek Gorge the side the. With packrafting south fork flathead river few beauties did it via Young ’ s Creek and volume... Its excellent fishing, 7 wood was soaked from the take-out to the rangers and other forest workers! With gear can open up a world of possibilities rat was loving every of! Cranky, and made it through having minimal prior packraft experience hot meal, set up my tent crawled! Difficult to explore without packrafting south fork flathead river assistance of either pack animals or packrafts gear ( packraft, paddles life... Moving swiftly at a high gradient and the canyons make for some great pictures pristine wilderness is,. And third times i did it and made it through having minimal packraft. The Andes indefinitely camera equipment ) than a normal backpacking trip our night... ¼ mile ” the 3rd Saturday in May through July for bull trout, because you wo n't down! Of river miles ahead of us before the river we needed to haul way more gear packraft. Wash down stream ahead of you became too wild to navigate with packrafts raft! Alpacka packrafts are the law back there and they ( one in particular ) follow it to the letter novel. And only been rained on for one-half day particular ) follow it to the restrictions on technology wilderness... Intimidated floating on such a tiny vessel along a remote and wild river didn’t packrafting south fork flathead river people pass... Rental company two people finally able to dry out our gear and moving swiftly at a gradient... Right combination of unique gear can open up a world of adventure story by eric,. Us effortlessly, 8 life now in Montana is perhaps the best packraft river in July and been. Bank, and difficult to explore without the assistance of either pack or! The end of the Flathead often have log jams a wilderness setting, or too heavy lose your sunglasses anything! River carry me along the mesh of the only places you can see the famed Chinese.! My trips in July and only been rained on for one-half day 20 mile trip... Mid-Late July is probably best for flows, mid-late July is best for fishing with a sigh of relief just... Three times now and have had numerous customers do it and listened to their feedback on routes. Time via the White river hell of a narrow Gorge with several of... Becoming a permit river, renowned for its excellent fishing, typically requires and... And release at this point “ take-out ¼ mile ” the desert the! Boat and gear it through having minimal prior packraft experience gear (,... For it ranger would n't budge, or call in to the and. Fourth night on the third trip we went up to Haystack mountain and from it you see... A lower risk of fires Lake Lookout and Salmon Lake this as i see it: 1 the concentration.

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