Summary

South Fork of the Flathead River

Prices From	USD$ $2,000.00
1st Departure	01.01.0001
Provider	Wilderness River Outfitters
Destination	Flathead River
Duration	8 days
Challenge	Intermediate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

The South Fork of the Flathead is one of the premier west slope cutthroat fisheries in the world. It also just happens to have one of the most unique and exciting Montana whitewater runs you will ever experience. Add to this 4 days of spectacular hiking through the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness Areas and you get one of the best all around trips anywhere in the world! Since the only access is by foot or horse, this beautiful drainage has a real backcountry feel. No wonder its a guide favorite! Your 8 days on the South Fork will begin with four days of hiking to reach the river. You have the option of being a real do-it -yourselfer and backpacking, or letting the horses carry your gear so you can travel light. We will cover around 6 to 10 miles a day through some very beautiful country, with the option to summit a peak for the go-getters. We eventually arrive at the cool clean waters of the South Fork. The horses will drop off the boating gear and in the morning we will begin our float. For the first two days the river will meander lazily through a broad valley. We will have lots of time to stop and fish for the abundant cutthroat (on one trip last summer three people fishing the same hole caught 20 fish each in under an hour!). We will also take the opportunity to explore some of the beautiful Ponderosa parks that line the river. These flat benches have majestic Ponderosa Pines scattered across grassy fields that are often full of wildflowers. On the third day of the float, we enter Meadow Creek Gorge and the character of the river will change dramatically. For six miles the river crashes through a limestone gorge that creates a series of class III to V rapids that are a little different from most whitewater rafting. Its only one day of whitewater, buts its enough adrenaline for the whole trip! The gorge is so narrow that we use only paddle boats on this river. That night we will celebrate our adventures around the campfire. The next morning we will have a casual float out with some good fishing from the boats. We will take out mid-afternoon and drive back to Kalispell for a group farewell dinner.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

We like to keep our trips flexible, so this itinerary could change due to group interests, weather, or water levels. Day before the trip: Arrive in Kalispell, MT. In the evening we’ll get together to hand out gear and answer any last minute questions. Day 1: We’ll get an early start for our drive to the Holland Lake trailhead. The first day has some easy uphill, and we will cover 4-6 miles, camping near Upper Holland Lake. The lake can be good fishing in the evening. Day 2-3: Hike the fairly steep climb over Gordon Pass (approx. 6,500 feet in elevation). If the group is up for it, we’ll drop our packs and take off for the nearest snow-clad peak for a great view! From the pass, the trail leads downhill through lush mountain meadows and thick woods. We’ll be following Gordon Creek and camping along its shores. Day 4: Hike 4-5 miles, dropping into the broad valley of the South Fork. We’ll meet the pack string with our rafts and cool our feet in the clear waters of the river. We’ll camp hear tonight and get the rafts ready for the next day. Day 5-6: We’ll be rafting the calm and beautiful upper South Fork, floating around lazy corners and casting along undercut banks. There will be plenty of opportunities to try out the superb fishing, and we’ll take some time to wander through the beautiful Ponderosa Parks, possibly seeing elk grazing in the evening light. Day 7: We reach Meadow Creek Gorge and the easy-going South Fork becomes very narrow and fast. The whitewater is thrilling and the gorge itself is very beautiful. The run through the gorge is dependent on the river level and the gorge being clear of logjams. Day 8: A fairly quite and beautiful float to our take out. We’ll have lunch on the river and take-out by mid-afternoon. The drive back to Kalispell is about 21/2 hours. 

General Information

Included in the cost is transportation from Kalispell to the trailhead and from the end of the trip back to Kalispell, meals beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the last day, wetsuits, dry bags for your personal gear, and use of our sleeping bags, pads, and tents (or bring your own gear and receive a $40 discount) Air: Delta and Horizon offer flights into Glacier International Airport. Cars: If you wish to explore Glacier Park and the beautiful country around Kalispell, rental cars are available at the airport. Hotel: Please make hotel reservations at the West Coast Hotel Kalispell Center for the evening before the trip and the evening your trip ends. If you wish to make other arrangements (staying in the Park after your trip for example), please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=410 align=center border=0> <TBODY> <TR class=text vAlign=top> <TD width=217>West Coast Hotels Kalispell Center Kalispell, MT 1-406-751-5050 </TD> <TD width=193>Glacier Park (lodge reservations) Phoenix, AZ 1-602-248-6000</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Gear List

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THIS IS THE SUGGESTED GEAR LIST FOR THIS PARTICULAR TRIP. HAVING THE RIGHT GEAR IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU. MOST OF THE GEAR LISTED YOU WILL HAVE OR YOU CAN USE YEAR-ROUND ON ANY OUTDOOR EXCURSION (FOOTBALL GAMES, BOATING, SKIING, ETC.). WE WANT YOU TO HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE. HOWEVER, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE AND WEIGHT CAPACITY ON THIS TRIP. PLEASE FEEL WELCOME TO CALL OUR OFFICE TO DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT GEAR. PLEASE NO STEREOS, RADIOS OR WATCHES GEAR PROVIDED:- we provide LIFE JACKETS, 2 WATERPROOF DUFFEL BAGS (one for sleeping bag, pad & ground cloth, and one for clothing), WATERPROOF DAY BAG for items you would like accessible during the day (dry shirt, suntan lotion, camera, etc.), and WETSUITS. You may use our SLEEPING BAGS, PADS, AND TENTS, or bring your own and receive a discount. <UL> <LI>SYNTHETIC SLEEPING BAG (WARM EVEN WHEN WET), PAD, TENT, GROUND CLOTH (for sleeping out under the stars and spread your gear on when necessary) </LI> <LI>BACKPACK (for the backpacking trips) </LI> <LI>FISHING GEAR </LI> <LI>RAIN GEAR... Good jacket and pants. Poncho’s aren’t enough. AVOID VINYL & CHEAP PLASTICS. </LI> <LI>LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRTS...one long sleeved. </LI> <LI>1 PAIR LONG PANTS, synthetic are best</LI> <LI>SHORTS...synthetics dry faster - good to wear over swimsuit. </LI> <LI>SWIMSUIT...nylon is best because it dries faster. </LI> <LI>CAP TO BLOCK SUN, & WOOL HAT for cool evenings...a must for everyone. In case of wind attach with a shoe string. </LI> <LI>GLOVES OR MITTENS...synthetic or wool. </LI> <LI>WARM SHIRTS...wool or polarfleece (2 ) </LI> <LI>LONG UNDERWEAR...polypro or capilene (not cotton) tops & bottoms. </LI> <LI>WARM JACKET...synthetic piles are popular because they are warm even when damp. </LI> <LI>FOOTWEAR: How comfortable your feet are will make a big difference in your enjoyment of the trip! </LI> <LI>HIKING BOOTS ...well broken in. No brand new boots please. </LI> <LI>SOCKS...3-4 pair,2 heavy (wool), fleece socks are also nice for in camp. </LI> <LI>THIN LINER SOCKS...nylon or synthetic, not cotton. </LI> <LI>RUNNING SHOES OR SANDALS...for around for camp and short hikes. </LI> <LI>NEOPRENE SOCKS (described on back side) and old running shoes… this is the best combination we’ve found for keeping your feet warm and safe on the river. </LI> <LI>SUNGLASSES AND TIES FOR GLASSES...protects against glare. Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses if worn (or if you wear contacts.) </LI> <LI>SUNTAN LOTION...maximum strength sun block & moisture lotion. </LI> <LI>CHAPSTICK </LI> <LI>INSECT REPELLENT </LI> <LI>FLASHLIGHT...small one is fine, headlamps work great. </LI> <LI>WATER BOTTLE...1 liter. </LI> <LI>CAMERA & FILM...bring more than you think you need, just in case. </LI> <LI>SMALL DAY OR FANNY PACK...for side excursions. </LI> <LI>POCKET KNIFE </LI> <LI>ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE...if desired (unbreakable containers). </LI></UL> We provide a major 1st Aid Kit, however we do recommend you bring your own preferred personal comfort drugs (Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin, Band-Aids, cold medicine).

Travel Information

Activity Location

Kalispell, MT
Kalispell, MT USA