| Put In: |
Canada-US border |
| Take Out: |
Polebridge |
| Difficulty: |
Class II
+ , Class III
-
|
| Gradient: |
15 ft/mi |
| Run Length: |
25 miles |
| Current Streamflow: |
9690 cfs @ 05/26/2012 01:45 PM - N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT, reading taken from USGS
|
| Flow Information (phone): |
USGS 406-449-5263; flow near Columbia Falls. |
| Good Level: |
1,000-10,000 cfs |
| Season Comments: |
May, June, July, August
|
| Permit: |
None presently required for boating, but a backcountry permit is required for camping in Glacier National Park. |
| Character/Similar To: |
The North Fork follows the western boundry of Glacier National Park. The whitewater is mostly confined to a 12 mile stretch as the river constricts, the gradient increases and bedrock outcrops produce several Class II and Class III rapids. |
| Hazards: |
Possible log hazards, cols water, high flows in late spring and grizzlies. |
| Water Craft: |
kayak,wwcan,raft |
| Land Ownership: |
Left bank all National Parks, right bank mixed National Forest and private. |
| Wilderness: |
No |
| Camping on River: |
Good |
| Location: |
In the Rocky Mtn Region (MT), 250 miles Northwest of Helena |
| Shuttle Logistics: |
Put-in: Access is via unpaved North Fork Road, an extension of Route 486, some 58 miles north of Columbia Falls, Montana.
Take-out: To reach Blanketship Bridge, follow Route 486 north some 9 miles from Columbia Falls, then take a right onto USFS Road 116 and drive just over two miles to the bridge.
|
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Lodging in Montana
