The Middle Fork The Middle Fork of the Flathead River originates in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The upper section of the river offers primitive recreation in a wilderness setting. From the headwaters to Schafer Meadows, a narrow channel and log jams make the river generally unsuitable for floating. Most trips start from Schafer Meadows, which can be reached by trail or by aircraft. The float season normally lasts from mid-May through mid-July, with peak runoff in late May. Numerous Class IV and V rapids can make the trip extremely difficult during peak flows. Be prepared for periods of cold wet weather. The lower section of the river offers more accessible recreation in a more developed setting. Flathead National Forest and private lands border the south bank, river left, and Glacier National Park borders the bank on the north, river right. Please respect private landowners’ rights. The float season on the lower Middle Fork extends from mid-May to early September. Numerous rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV make for a challenging trip during high water. Several public access sites provide many options for day floats. Please Remember:

• The party size in the Great Bear Wilderness is 15 people per party. • Store all attractants in a bear resistant manner, in an approved container, in your vehicle, or suspend in a tree at least 10 feet up and 4 feet out. • The Middle Fork’s water is incredibly pure, please help keep it that way for the west slope cutthroat and bull trout.

AVERAGE JULY FLOAT Access Dist(Mi) Time(H) Class ¯ TEAKETTLE TO 15 3.5 II BLANKENSHIP BRIDGE BLANKENSHIP TO 5.5 2.5 III BRIDGE WEST GLACIER TO 9 2.5 II-IV WEST MOCCASIN CREEK !" GLACIER ! ! MOCCASIN CR TO 7 3 LOGJAMS CASCADILLA 9 7 CASCADILLA! 8 TO 12 3 III-IV "Columbia Falls 6 ! PAOLA PAOLA TEAKETTLE ! 5 TO 10.5 3.25 III-IV ¬206 BEAR CREEK /2 4 ! BEAR CREEK & 1 - RIVER MAP NUMBER ¬35 3 - DIRECTION OF FLOAT

& 2 !SCHAFER ¬83 1 river, exceptas noted. corridor, which isapproximately1/4mile eachsideofthe These regulations applywithinthe Wild and ScenicRiver mountain goatsinthearea. below theGoatLick Viewpoint fortheprotectionof Essex section;andnostopping within¼mileaboveor Special Regulations:NocampingintheBearCreek to the parkaboutspecificregulations. If youplantogoashoreinGlacierNationalParkcontact regulations aredifferent betweentheParkandForest. the averagehigh-waterlineonriverright.Rulesand National Forestisonriverleft,withtheboundarybeing Glacier NationalParkisonriverrightandFlathead Boundaries BetweenFederal Agencies the campingstaylimitis16days. solid humanwaste,afire pan/blanketisrequired, and Campers inovernightdispersedsitesmustpackout ness, notlistedaboveare available for overnightuse. Other dispersedsitesalongtheriver, outsideofwilder- Blankenship NW West GlacierRiver Access River Access Mocassin River Access Cascadilla River Access Paola Essex DispersedSite Bear CreekRiverAccess Castle CreekSite BearCreek to Schafer Blankenship SW Middle Fork Regulations Pursuant to36CFR261

(1) N N N Y N N *RY1 N 16 Y R Y* -Y -- N -Y -- N Y R N N N N -Y -- N Y R Y Y 3 Y R Y Waste Re- (58(a)(z)) quirement (2) Campfire Allowed (3) Camping Allowed Day Use Day Use Dates Only Only See (4) 3 3 3 3 3 Stay Limit (5) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Motor Boats 10 h.p. (1) WASTE DISPOSAL - (58(z)) Y - Solid human waste must be self-contained and packed out to an approved disposal site during overnight stays at locations without public toilet facilities. This applies whether you are part of a traditional float party or vehicle supported party. Self-contained means, (1) using a washable, leak-proof, reusable toilet system - the contents must be disposed of at a proper waste facility such as an RV dump station, OR (2) a disposable biode- gradable bag toilet system that is approved for landfill disposal. Bags must be self-contained within a leak or spill proof container until they are properly disposed of. The system must be adequate for the size of the group and length of trip. Dumping solid human waste on National Forest System lands or into a vault toilet is prohibited. Y* - Solid human waste containment required within 200 feet of river’s edge. N - Sites with public toilet facilities. (2) CAMPFIRE ALLOWED - (52(a)) R - Required metal fire pan or blanket. Ash may be disposed of on site within the river corridor. N - Campfires prohibited. ** - Campfires are prohibited in the parking lots at the river access sites but they are permissible below the high water line. (3) CAMPING ALLOWED - (58(a)) Y - Camping allowed. N - Camping prohibited. If vehicle supported, contact the Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District for informa- tion about motorized use in the river corridor. (4) STAY LIMIT - (58(a)(l)) Stay Limit in number of days. Day use hours are from sunrise to sunset. Castle Creek Site - One night maximum stay limit April 1 - July 31; two night maximum stay limit August 1 - October 31; sixteen day stay limit from November 1 - March 31. Stock containment is prohibited at the Castle River Campsite. (5) MOTOR BOATS - (58(n)) Y - Motor boats allowed, 10 horse power or less. N - Motor boats prohibited.

DISPERSED SITE - A site without developed facilities such as toilets or fire rings. RM 74.5: Miner Creek Trail #81 - A short two mile hike leads to Scott Lake. In another two miles is Flotilla Lake, an alpine lake with good fishing. At the mouth of Morrison Creek is the site of the original ranger station built around 1906. Few remnants of the original station remain.

RM 77.8: Lodgepole Mountain Trail #337 - The mountain is the site of a former fire lookout. There are stunning views of the Middle Fork drainage and Glacier National Park.

Schafer Meadows Landing Strip, in the Great Bear Wilderness, is the only open airstrip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Used as a trailhead for wilderness users, it is also the most popular access for floaters on the upper Middle Fork Flathead River. If you access Schafer Meadows by air, please limit your total flights to reduce your impact on other wilderness visitors.

RM 80: Schafer Work Center - The historic Schafer Work Center is a piece of living history built between 1926 and 1928. Here, Forest Service workers still use hand tools to maintain trails and facilities, treat noxious weeds and support fire management. Despite being located on the airstrip, all food and supplies for workers stationed here are delivered by Forest Service packers and pack stock. Stop in at the work center for current river and trail information. 01

12 113°21'0"W 72 31

Bradley Cr

48°6'0"N ¯

201 06 13

32

73 T 28 N T 27 N 24 7257 R 14 W E2212 07 Cr R 13 W 05 Wildhorse Mtn 18 33

25 Brushshack 74 08 Morrison

Cr 04 19 81 36 75 Lake 17

Creek 48°7'30"N

214 30 01 Scott 154 5619 76 09 03 Lake 20 1713 Helmet Point 155 16 31 48°4'30"N 10 29

77 IV Series Forks Three 21

LODGEPOLE

32 15

337 11 28 78 Porter MOUNTAIN Cr 22

14 33 7601 2317 79 Union 27 12 Mtn Schafer Meadows SCHAFER !} 23 WILD 48°6'0"N MEADOWS 80 Landing Strip 13 34 SCHAFER

26 Cr 81 Schafer 24 327 48°3'0"N 18 Cr 35

173 25 Varden R 13 W 82 155 R 12 W 19

Dolly

36 1 30 74 113°13'30"W 73 113°12'0"W

73 RM 68: Castle Creek Campsite - The campsite has two distinct camp areas. Each site is limited to one night per party from April 1 to July 30 and two nights from August 1 to October 31. Overnight stock containment is not permitted in these campsites for resource protection. Campfires are not allowed in a fire ring; fires only permitted with the use of a fire pan or blanket.

RM 68.8: Granite Cabin - One of many cabins used by Forest Service employees and volunteers as a place to stay while doing wilderness and river patrols and trail work.

RM 69.3: Granite Creek Trail #156 - The trail provides access to the upper Middle Fork. Kayakers hauling craft to the river, please use caution. This is a main stock trail. Mules and horses are easily spooked by kayaks, paddles, and other gear. When you encounter groups riding or leading livestock, step well off the trail on the downhill side and stand quietly until they pass. 21

155 29

Vinegar Creek 15 260 113°30'0"W 113°28'30"W

! 32 62 28

22 Moose Cr Creek

48°9'0"N 14 33 Lunch

27 ¯ 155 63!

23 04

12

Mount 323

13 34 E Bradley

Series Il - III

Lunch Creek 7656 2242 ! 26 09 64

24 03

35 T 28 N T 27 N Cabin Creek ! 25 10 65

48°10'30"N 21 Cy Creek 02 R 15 W 332 36 66 ! R 14 W

15

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! 33 14

67 27

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24 Castle ! Lake 03 Creek 69 156 Granite 35 16 Castle Horse Ranger Hungry Bear Ranger District Cr 10 Spotted District 48°9'0"N

21 E Mtn ! Trinity 7589 02 70 2313 155 36 15

11 71! 22 48°6'0"N

Dryad 01 31 14 Creek

1272! 2 23 113°22'30"W 113°21'0"W

06 Bradley Cr # 201 13 63 Big River Trail #155 is the spine of the Middle Fork Trail system. Vinegar Mountain, Dirtyface, and Edna are a few of the secondary trails that lead away from the river further into the Great Bear Wilderness Area.

RM 54-53: Bear Creek River Access & Trailhead - The trailhead is popular for floaters and stock users.

RM 59-57: Spruce Park Series - These rapids are a series of plunge pools with high canyon walls known for its challenging hydraulics.

The Middle Fork has flooded many times, the most notable in 1964. The river washed away Spruce Park Cabin, a Forest Service administrative site. The cabin was rebuilt on higher ground and is used today by Forest Service work crews.

The mountains and river valleys that provide the scenic backdrop for your float took millions of years to create. Two million years ago, tectonic pressure caused buckling, uplifting, volcanic activity and earthquakes, creating the area’s mountain ranges. After the mountain building, stream and glacial erosion carved out many of landforms you see today.

The river’s greenish hue comes from the small amount of iron found within the rock walls surrounding the river corridor. Staircase Rapids III - IV

04 152 25 113°37'30"W 113°36'0"W 35 42 254 03 48°15'0"N T 29 N Creek Java T 28 N ¯ 36 53! 30

> > RECREATIONAL 10 WILD Rapids lll Nimrod 02 BEAR CREEK 158 !} Great Bear Wilderness 48°12'0"N 31 54! 15 Elk 11 /2 01 & 155 /

Cr 62

! 489 32 22 55 Edna 14 Dirtyface 152 12

Creek 06 Cr 48°13'30"N ! 27 23 13 56 57! 07 & 05

R 16 W 58! R 15 W 26 24 Spruce 18 155 08

48°10'30"N 04

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25 ! 19 17 59 09

Spruce Park Cabin 260 " 30

36 30 ! 20 Vinegar 330 7131 Mtn 16 60 2174 Spruce E 48°12'0"N 10 Park 31

166 31 29 21 Creek ! 61 15 260 155 Vinegar Moose

32 48°9'0"N 28 ! 323 Cr 62 22 14 & Creek Lunch

33 27 3

23 113°30'0"W 155 113°28'30"W

# 54 RM 49-48: Essex River Access - The river access is rustic with a native surface for launching.

Essex is a small railroad town that supports a busy rail yard. The Izaak Walton Inn was built in 1939 to house rail workers. The inn and Walton Ranger Station were named after Izaak Walton, the 17th century author.

RM 49: Walton Ranger Station - The National Park ranger station features the rustic designs of National Park Service stations built in the 1930s. Built for function and strategically located, the station remains active today.

RM 51: Goat Lick Overlook - Mountain goats and other animals visit the exposed riverbank to lick the mineral-rich cliffs. No camping in the Bear Creek to Essex section; and no stopping within ¼ mile above or below the Goat Lick Overlook for the protection of the mountain goats in the area.

The lower Middle Fork runs between US Highway 2 and the Burlington Northern Railroad for most of its course down the canyon; roads to the tracks are closed to public motor-vehicle use. This stretch of river features open flats and deep canyon walls, providing white water rafting and a native cutthroat trout catch-and-release fishery. Permits are required for all overnight backcountry camping in Glacier National Park - river right above the high water line. Permits are available at the Backcountry Permit Center in Apgar. T 30 N ! T 29 N 44

113°39'0"W 113°37'30"W 113°36'0"W 35 04 Creek ! 45

Park 48°19'30"N 36 03 & 48°18'0"N /2 T 30 N T 29 N ! 02

09 46 Boundary Creek ¯ 01 Dickey 10 1639

Trail Scalplock ! MtnE 50624 1640 6919 1147 2109

Essex 48 12 48°18'0"N 15 ! 48°16'30"N Cr Essex 07 14 ESSEX ! ?! Ole 49 WALTON Creek 13 22 & 18 Cr McDonald 23 ! R 16 W 50 R 15 W

24

Goatlick Rapids III - IV 48°16'30"N

! Snowslide

48°15'0"N Goat Lick Overlook 51 26 Gulch 19 Staircase Rapids III - IV

152 20 Cr 25 ! Sheep 52 30 35 254 Creek Java ! 53 Nimrod 29 36 48°15'0"N

> T 29 N Rapids III > RECREATIONAL T 28 N WILD BEAR CREEK !} 31 48°13'30"N Great Bear 54! Bear 02 Creek 155 32 /2 & Wilderness 01 Edna 33 158 489 Cr 11 4 62 ! 55 06

113°34'30"W 113°33'0"W 113°31'30"W #

46 Tips for Catch & Release Fishing: • Use barbless hooks, • Land the fish as carefully and quickly as possible, • Keep the fish in the water, • If you need to handle the fish, use wet hands, • Use forceps and other release tools to avoid disturbing the mucous membrane (slime on the fish) and • Gently hold fish facing upstream to revive, and release.

The lower Middle Fork provides prime Westslope cutthroat trout habitat. The native trout sport dark spots on a light background. Cutthroat are named for the red slashes near their lower jaw. The marks distinguish them from other trout species.

RM 42: Paola River Access - A popular put in and take out for anglers along this stretch of river. Both the creek and access were named after a Burlington Northern Railroad contractor.

Just downstream from the access site, river right, was the former Glacier National Park Paola Creek Ranger Station. The station was active from 1913 to 1932. 113°43'30"W 113°42'0"W 113°40'30"W

36 BURLINGTON Stanton 146 Lake02 ! Stanton Cr 34 31 ¯ 01 Creek 11 32 ! 35

NORTHERN T 31 N

Hidden 06 T 30 N 12 48°22'30"N ! 339 36 48°24'0"N 05

R 17 W R 16 W 07 & 11128

13 Creek Disbrow Tunnel !37 No. 3 08 38! Tunnel Browns Hole 18 11124 No. 2 ! Rapids III - IV 09

117 17 ! Creek 39 Creek 48°21'0"N 11124 Muir 19 Tunnel 48°22'30"N Creek/2 1637 16

! 40 Pinnacle20 1638 15

21 Pinnacle ! 41

29

22 !} PAOLA ! Creek 48°19'30"N 28 42 Paola 48°21'0"N 32 & 27

33 ! 43 T 30 N T 29 N 26 ! 44 34 04 5

48°18'0"N 35 113°37'30"W 113°36'0"W

RM 26: Loneman Lookout - Notice the lookout, river right on top of Loneman Mountain. Built in 1930 as part of a network of fire lookouts, it is no longer in use today.

One of the original railroad stations was located in this area. The Delaware Indian word “Nyack” means corner or point. Historians speculate that Delaware Indians accompanied trappers and mountain men into the Rocky Mountain region.

For decades researchers from the University of Montana, Flathead Lake Biological Station have conducted world renowned water quality research in this area. Please do not disturb research devices.

River right, notice the patchwork patterns that the 2003 Rampage Fire left behind. The fire created a mix of burned and unburned mosaic areas on the landscape.

RM 29-22: Nyack Flats - Braided channels and numerous log jams characterize this stretch of river. The water depth can change from year to year in the different channels. Grizzly bears regularly swim across this open section of river. In the spring, bears eat the first green plants found growing along the river’s gravel bars.

RM 31: Cascadilla River Access - Keep your eyes open for the ramp. Campfires are not allowed in the parking lot or on the gravel bars below the high water mark. 113°51'0"W Creek 113°49'30"W15

! 145 12 R 18 W Deerlick R 17 W25 06 T 32 N 32 /2 T 31 N 48°27'0"N Creek

05 13 07 ! 26 Loneman Great Bear Cr 10151 Mtn & 48°28'30"N Cr 18 BURLINGTON NORTHERN 11119 ! Halfmoon 328 27 Lake Skiumah Nyack

204 Nyack Flats Log Jams 09 19 243 17 Cascade Cr ! 10151 28 Nyack Cr 48°25'30"N

Rescue 20 16 Cr 326 ! 29

29 9802 21 15

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30 48°27'0"N !

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22 28 14 !} CASCADILLA

! Cascadilla Cr Trail 33 498 27 31 23 48°24'0"N

! 32 499A 24 Crystal Cr 26 499 34 T 31 N Coal Cr T 30 N & 03

! 48°25'30"N ¯ 35 25 33 75 02 /2

Stanton 146 Lake 36 Stanton Cr 6 ! R 17 W 11 34 R 16 W 113°43'30"W 113°42'0"W

RM 16.5: Belton Bridge - The original access to Glacier National Park was over this historic bridge. During the 1964 flood the bridge was completely covered with water. The flood washed away the structure, but the concrete arch remained. The bridge was temporarily resurfaced and used until the destroyed West Glacier bridge was rebuilt. Today the bridge is open to foot, bicycle and horse traffic.

belton bridge - 1964 flood

belton bridge - present

RM 19.5-16.5: Whitewater - This section is a combination of deep canyons, steep walls, large rock features, amazing glacier-green water and powerful hydraulics especially at high flows. The series is a combination of plunge pools, channel dividing boulders, standing waves, and deep holes. The river drops over 60 feet of elevation through this section. Be aware of newly accumulated runoff debris (root wads and logs). If you are not familiar with this series, scout first.

RM 24-23: Moccasin Creek Access - Located on Moccasin Creek, this is the most popular launch on the lower Middle Fork. It is the closest launch to the major white water section of the river. There is no take-out. You will encounter the highest volume of commercially guided public enjoying the waves. 113°58'30"W 113°57'0"W

7 à !? 35 Park Headquarters 25

! 18

16 R 19 W à R 18 W Belton Bridge West BELTON HILLS 19 Glacier36 ! Pumphouse II

& 30 17 ! The Notch III 17 Repeater Rapids II ! ! !18 20 ! Pin Ball IV CBT

31 Rapids III ! Jaws IV 48°31'30"N Big Squeeze III 29 T 32 N /2 T 31 N Washboard II ! 19 21 ¯ ! Bonecrusher III 32 Tunnel

! 48°28'30"N

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34 Ousel Creek

9 26 ! 22

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Ouzel 48°30'0"N E 331 35 Peak 7157 Nyack Flats Log Jams 2182

10 ! 23 2 Creek Moccasin

48°27'0"N !} MOCCASIN CREEK 36 (no takeout) 10367 11 & Pyramid 24! /2 1

14 Creek Deerlick

Creek145 12 R 18 W R 17 W 6 25! 7 113°49'30"W 113°51'0"W 13 RM 9.5: Blankenship Bridge River Access - The bridge is located below the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork. On river left this site is managed by Flathead County. The area below the bridge, river right, is managed by Flathead National Forest. Overnight use is limited to three nights, overnight users must be self contained for solid human waste and firepans or blankets are recommended.

BLANKENSHIP RIVER ACCESS BELOW BLANKENSHIP BRIDGE

RM 10-9: North Fork of the Flathead River - The North Fork enters from the north, river right. As the river level drops later in the summer, the gravel bar becomes quite large.

Fires in 1929 burned a large portion of this area. Dead trees were removed and facilities rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. In 2003, the Robert Fire burned through this same area.

RM 16.5: West Glacier River Access - Overnight camping and fires are not allowed. Private property adjoins this area. Please respect their rights. 114°3'0"W 114°4'30"W

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! 6 19

20

48°25'30"N !

21 48°27'0"N /2 7 18

Lake West & 17

! 8 Rapids ll 07

16 9 ! BLANKENSHIP }! à 15 BRIDGE08

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03 ! 32 12 ¯ 48°28'30"N 02 T 31 N 33

T 32 N 48°30'0"N ! 34 13

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42 114°3'0"W

! à Golf 14 Course

27

15! ! WEST GLACIER !} !? R 19 W 16 McDonald

48°30'0"N 26 Park GLA Headquarters APGAR 21 CIER 5236 1596 LOOKOUT 48°31'30"N 25 ROUTE 22

ONE Creek 23 8 24 16 113°58'30"W 48°31'30"N 114°0'0"W 114°1'30"W Teakettle River Access - A Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks site located river right below the Teakettle Bridge. A part of the “Oakes” steamboat is on display at the site.

House of Mystery River Access - This day-use site is located just outside the canyon. The up canyon winds challenge boaters to crest the white caps. Overnight camping is not allowed.

Berne Memorial Park, located in Badrock Canyon, is marked by a plaque along US Highway 2 above the rock outcropping, on river left. Mike Berne homesteaded lands in the North Fork and his brother homesteaded the west end of Bad Rock Canyon. He was best known for helping to build the “Oakes”, a 75-foot steamboat for use on the North Fork of the Flathead. The 1892 maiden voyage ended near the mouth of Canyon Creek on the North Fork. There the steamboat ran aground. Parts of the “Oakes” were found all along the lower reaches of the Main Flathead.

RM 0: South Fork of the Flathead River - The South Fork flows into and joins the Middle Fork from the south. All three river forks are now joined and form the main stem of the Flathead River.

This last stretch of river offers some of the valley’s finest trout fisheries. As summer temperatures rise, and fish become more stressed, limit the play on your ‘catch’.

The river runs through several stretches of private land. The Flathead National Forest purchased Wild and Scenic River easements to protect and preserve the river’s natural course, visual integrity, and water quality. Please respect private land to ensure continued access to Montana rivers. 114°10'30"W Columbia Falls 48°22'30"N 114°12'0"W Columbia Falls 08

21 114°12'0"W

TEAKETTLE !} Cedar

¬«206 16

/2 05 NORTH Cr 48°21'0"N & Flathead 22 09

FORK

15

04 ROAD 48°24'0"N

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10 114°7'30"W

Rapids II ! 14

51 03 114°9'0"W

11 34 !} HOUSE OF 02

MYSTERY T 30 N

114°6'0"W Columbia T 31 N Mtn & ¯ Canyon

Berne12 Memorial 35 Park 114°7'30"W

See South Fork ! 01

Map 8 Badrock 0 > Fork 48°22'30"N 07 RECREATIONAL36 South

! 1

25 !

1 48°25'30"N 06 Hungry Horse R 20 W 31 Hungry Horse R 19 W

!? Ranger Station !

! 2 05 30

114°3'0"W Rapids II

! 3 32

Rapids II ! !

4 114°4'30"W Martin ! 5 & 04City Coram /2 29

33 920 Abbot Cr 114°1'30"W 114°1'30"W 114°3'0"W