5 days down the South Fork of the Flathead. Most were small Class I or II but there was one nice long wave train that was the biggest thing I'd paddled myself up to that point. Opportunities for loops which combine both abound. If It is located in one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower-48. The Bob Marshall Wilderness extends south from Glacier National Park and is managed by the US Forest Service. The first and third time we entered the Bob (Bob Marshall Wilderness) via the said, my friends and I did it and made it through having minimal prior packraft I’d long heard about “the Bob” and one day making a wilderness trek there. The South Fork of the Flathead, located in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, is a horsepack in/float out trip of 5-7 days, putting you over feisty Cutthroats to 22″ and “Bull Trout” to 15 pounds. It is also very remote. or our Shipping + Returns page, fill our our Contact Form for some one-on-one input. Sep 13, 2012 - The South Fork of the Flathead is usually an 8-day trip, with 4 days of backpacking (or hiking with horse support) and 4 days of rafting through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. 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.". You can also get to Young's creek via Pyramid Pass, but from a hiking perspective it is supposed to be harder. Bears- customers ask fairly frequently about bears and how to prepare for them....I honestly haven't heard of anyone encountering a grizzly on the main trail or on the river. The river itself is gorgeous, and the nearby hiking almost as good. It is essentially the same river today as it was 100 years ago. Our backpacks are built to fit like a glove. and paddle hard through the rapid. There are 26 moderate trails in Flathead National Forest ranging from 1.8 to 23 miles and from 3,034 to 7,421 feet above sea level. The South Fork Flathead River is a major river in Northwestern Montana in the northwest United States. for huckberries on the way down. They are managed by three national forests - Flathead, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Lolo, and five ranger districts - Spotted Bear, Hungry Horse, Lincoln, Rocky Mountain, and Seeley Lake. Hole in the Wall gorge on Young's creek has a strainer tree in the middle of a rapid, but the Forest Service put up a sign and you can portage around it and it may be possible to paddle around it as well. Whitewater raft on the Middle Fork. Float the south fork of the flathead. Boats and supplies are generally packed in on mules or horses over mountain passes to reach the headwa-ters and then packed again from the take-out just above Meadow Creek Gorge, to Meadow Creek Trailhead. Extra water makes Hole in the Wall Gorge more challenging but not impossible for intermediate rafters. Each of the three forks of the Flathead River (North, South, Middle) is discussed separately in their own sections, as each fork is a distinct river. The South Fork Flathead is one of the most beautiful and productive trout streams in North America. that says something like “take-out ¼ mile”. This is the third largest wilderness complex in the lower 48 states. Flathead River (South Fork) to Big Salmon Intermediate. In part 1 we explored the Chinese Wall. paddle). and you can just walk with the raft on your back and carry your rod and All of these trails were built by humans, shaped by standards of human convenience in the wilderness. If you don't get out here, you need to have a helmet and be ready for class VI rapids. The CDT can then be followed under the Chinese Wall and back to the trailhead, with more miles of moderate floating down the Sun River. They are described below in turn. ... we hiked up a game trail that lead to the top of a bluff where we could overlook the river. Especially toward the end of the trip, going into  Meadow Creek Gorge. … "Brown Stain" rapid just upstream from final takeout is running strong pushing hard into a small gap in the rock- tipped some rafters. Big Rivers flow downhill to the ocean, carving a path according to the inscrutable, detached terms of erosion. The river is comprised of the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork. around it on the trail if it is intimidating. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. Dedicated backpackers will inevitably want to experience a true wilderness packraft, and in the lower 48 no river provides a better beginner experience than the South Fork of the Flathead in Montana. Brand Ambassador Inspirations + Gear Lists. There are 3 main reasons for this as I see it: 1. The White River trip was supposed to involve The first and third times I did it via Young’s Creek SOUTH FORK FLATHEAD | Wilderness River Outfitters. Packrafting the South Fork Flathead River Drainage Here's a video I a put together as part of a GoPro Wide Helmet Camera review for Backpacking Light that will be published next week. There's not a good way to resupply, but no matter. The river is mellow the first couple of days and normally crystal clear and full of cutthroat trout. It provides all the quintessential benefits of wilderness packrafting; seeing a drainage evolve along its length, traveling close to the land, and making easy miles via current power. There were 5 or 6 other parties camped within a mile of the same region-- so much for a wilderness experience! Enjoy outdoor recreation in relative seclusion in wilderness areas. Here's how. ERIK PETERSEN/CHRONICLE The sun sets on the peaks beyond the South Fork of the Flathead River creating an idyllic scene in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. 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. The South Fork, which is located east of Flathead Lake, is one of three major forks of the mainstem Flathead River. have several days of wet gear). Sep 13, 2012 - The South Fork of the Flathead is usually an 8-day trip, with 4 days of backpacking (or hiking with horse support) and 4 days of rafting through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It is one of the three main forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Clark Fork River (the Pend Oreille River). Here's the gist: 1) Hike 16 miles into the wilderness with a very heavy pack. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. Article by Me. We are a small hands-on team based in Austin, TX. Sweet side-trips that we have done include: Mud Post by Tori.newburn » Sun May 03, 2020 3:13 am I’m looking for partners to join me Packraft and fly fish the South Fork of the Flathead River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness this July! It's important to keep in mind that the river changes annually and there may be log jams and new rapids in places where there weren't before. We pack you, your gear and your float equipment to the confluence of Young’s and Danaher Creeks where the South Fork of the Flathead River begins. For Having your fires below the high water mark. The deep green water you paddle hard. Early-mid July is probably best for flows, mid-late July is best for fishing with a lower risk of fires. high water though. Feel the exhilaration of. It is beautiful and striking in a hundred different ways. If you can't find your answer in our F.A.Q. Seeking partners, South Fork Flathead River. 3. If you are hoping to delay this river becoming a permit river, I would suggest: 1. CDT hikers will recognize it as home to the Benchmark Wilderness Ranch. 3 thoughts on “ Backpacking the Forks of the Kern River Trail ” Frank Ferraris October 7, 2016 at 7:35 am.  ×  Several options exist going up the Spotted Bear drainage, to take hikers to either Spotted Bear or Larch Hill passes. The South Fork Acclaimed as one of Montana’s most pristine and remote rivers, the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Flathead River originates in the south end of the flows northward to Hungry Horse Reservoir. in hand or on your back. Jul 09, 2013. This gin-clear river runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness for nearly its full length, south to north. All that Hike over Stadler Pass down to Danaher Creek, inflate the boats, and put in. drop of the river, you can see it. Shared By: Hiking Project Staff. The South Fork of the Flathead is bigger but there were still a few log jams that we had to get out and portage. Don't forget forest rangers are the law back there and they (one in particular) follow it to the letter! Listen to the River, from Wild Confluence Films, is the story of a classic summertime river adventure gone awry. From the ford of the White River to the confluence with the South Fork of the Flathead, the face of the Bob Marshall Wilderness changes yet again. thank God you are a packrafter, because you can easily get out of the pool It is very scenic. There are 3 main reasons for this as I see it: 1. The South Fork Flathead River heads in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows from south to north, eventually ending up in Hungry Horse Reservoir before joining the Middle Fork near Columbia Falls, Montana. possible because it gets hot on the south side of the pass and there isn’t Jim Klug photo. Read up a bit, on packrafting in particular and mild whitewater in general, rent your raft, and take a three day weekend for learning. This north-northwest trending river is about 98 miles (158 km) long, making it the second longest tributary of the Flathead River. Interested but not sure where to start? There are routes to be done in the lower 48 where a packraft is essential, and even more where having a raft is faster than walking the same miles along the parallel trail. 13. Local packrafting trips can provide surprisingly interesting experiences. The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! You'll need to carry your inspection papers with you. For beginning boaters, spending the extra cash to rent a boat and practice close to home is wise. The fishing is good. The South Fork of the Flathead trip begins and ends in Kalispell, Montana. The South Fork of the Flathead runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. Trail Ratings 5.0 from 1 vote #1 in Bob Marshall Wilderness #1811 Overall. This amazing tract is the source of the South Fork of the Flathead River - probably our best paddle in Montana. We needed to haul way more gear (packraft, paddles, life vest, camera … Other packrafts exist, but they are either too fragile for moving water use in a wilderness setting, or too heavy. This 15 … Please check out the link here for. hiked almost two days and then floated two more. $3200.00 base rate Check/ACH payment $ 1600.00 deposit required to hold your dates. I also had 3 renters get fined $80/person in the Bob because they didn't have life jackets in their boats. Boats and supplies are generally packed in on mules or horses over mountain passes to …  •  Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with … You, the seasoned ultralight backpacker, should consider packrafting because miles walked in a day and in a trip is but one semi-coherent way to measure the worth of a hike. The designated river includes the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork above Hungry Horse Reservoir and features recreation, scenery, historic sites, unique fisheries and wildlife such as grizzly bears and wolves. The lower weight and cost of the Scout is attractive, but most users will find the additional stability and dryness of the main-line boats a worthwhile investment. Dear Tim, I have thoroughly enjoyed your fly fishing blog. isn’t a bone crusher, but you might lose your sunglasses and anything else that 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. Hope you packed a rod. Rain jacket, bear spray and bug spray! The river was much busier than I had anticipated, largely due to commercial fishing/horsepacking traffic. Otherwise, lean forward 5 days down the South Fork of the Flathead. Fishing more for bull trout, because you won't catch as many cut-throats and the ones you catch will be bigger, 8. 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. Experienced backpackers accustomed to 20-25 mile days can easily do this loop in a week, although 10 days is probably better. Keep in mind that is only on the South Fork The South Fork is a cutthroat-trout laden stream that flows through the pristine, densely forested Bob Marshall Wilderness, a one-million acre chunk of protected turf that offers a quintessential western fly-fishing experience—a level of solitude in wild country with naïve trout taken on nothing more representative than bushy attractor dry flies. If you have specific questions please feel free to contact me. 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. The wilderness portion of the South Fork can be divided into four or five sections, each with a different character: 1) confluence to Big Prairie pack bridge 2) Big Prairie to White River 3) White River to Salmon Forks 4) Salmon Forks to Black Bear Creek 5) Black Bear Creek to Mid Creek takeout. 2 log jams on the South Fork. Humans can learn much by traveling on such terms. The best option is to either drive or fly into Great Falls and rent a car. South Fork Flathead River is a river in Hungry Horse, MT in Flathead National Forest, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Rocky Mountains. Fish for westslope cutthroat trout. Or you can go East to Coram and the Glacier Grill. South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing is the best you will find anywhere – period. I've seen one Black bear and have had a handful of customers report black bear sightings on the river. The Missouri River in Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Montana. Talk to the rangers and get a tour. Sprawling more than 1.5 million acres, the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex (known to locals as “the Bob”), which also includes the Great Bear Wilderness and the Scapegoat Wilderness, is perhaps the … Most of those trails wind through forests with perhaps intermittent views on the hills and mountains around them. much of the trip you are 30 miles from the nearest road. The Bob has been on my radar for years, because inside The Bob is one of the greatest multi-day float trips in America: the South Fork of the Flathead River. legally target bull trout in Montana and maybe the Northwest. The section of the river from Big Prairie to above Mid Creek is considered class II water and is 31 miles of wilderness river water. Be prepared to portage….but that is one plus of Young’s Creek). Before the trip: Fly commercially into Kalispell, Montana. It is located in one of the largest settlement due to the restrictions on technology in wilderness areas. Oops, something went wrong. Then I learned about “packrafting” and the feasibility it lends to a trip of this sort. If the water is low, it isn’t too high consequence (meaning there aren’t If you want to have a more relaxing trip, do one Logistics in the Bob are daunting for visitors and will be expensive. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. The author with a 2010 Alpacka Yukon Yak at left, and a 2012 Alpacka Scout at right. It is also one of the only places you can A number of other smaller portages on Young's creek. Based in Austin, Texas, our mission is to improve your experience with backpacking with the best ultralight products. Hike past pristine mountain lakes and snow-covered peaks. The trip-- our first packrafting trip of the season-- ended up being one of my favorite adventures to date. The South Fork, which is located east of Flathead Lake and south of Glacier National Park, is one of three major forks of the mainstem Flathead River. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. long day of hiking your first day and then float the rest of the trip (its It is very scenic. South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing. You've just found the BEST video for checking out the beautiful Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. SOUTH FORK FLATHEAD | Wilderness River Outfitters. because you won’t feel rushed. () The hike is through some very pristine wilderness with alpine lakes and spectacular views. Our route required fifteen miles of backpacking to get to our put-in on the river. So you can really get away from it all! Amazing river, I plan on many return trips … Hiking from South Fork to Big Salmon Lake. and the second time via the White River. The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. Meadow Creek Trail Head parking lot. The river is mellow the first couple of days and normally crystal clear and full of cutthroat trout. The South Fork Flathead is one of the most beautiful and productive trout streams in North America. Aspiring packrafters would do well to start by renting an Alpacka from one of the numerous online agencies. Much later risks excessively low water in the upper reaches, and high water in June can be intimidating. Please try again. Seeking partners, South Fork Flathead River Post by Tori.newburn » Sun May 03, 2020 3:13 am I’m looking for partners to join me Packraft and fly fish the South Fork of the Flathead River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness this July! It's a long journey to get there. The river itself is gorgeous, and the nearby hiking almost as good. It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. 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. experience. 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. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. of people doing the whole South Fork trip in 4 days, but I would recommend at least 6 The Flathead River begins at the confluence of the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River. Definitely bring bear spray and hang your food, but the overall concentration of bears is pretty low in that area during the summer. South Fork of the Flathead River originates in the south end of the flows northward to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Meadow Creek Trailhead is a trailhead on South Fork Flathead River and Lost Jack Creek in Flathead National Forest, MT. This summary might be more than you want to know, but hopefully it will be informative if you are actually planning on doing the trip. This can easily be paddled in three days, but fishing, swimming, and side-hikes may well occupy many more. Home › Forums › Campfire › Post-Trip Reports › South Fork Flathead Packraft. On the third trip we went up to Haystack mountain and from it you can see the famed Chinese Wall. Especially toward the end of the trip, going into Meadow Creek Gorge. Be prepared to portage….but that is one plus of a packraft – easy portages (attach your packraft with the backpack straps up and you can just walk with the … The South Fork is unique because it provides consecutive days of moderate wilderness floating. rained on for one-half day. Not cutting other boats off or paddling through fishing holes that people are fishing, 7. 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