Basics
- River:
- Flathead River
- Class:
- Class II to III+
- River Length
- 31 miles
- Time:
- 1 - 3 days
- Season:
- May to September
Description
Flowing from out of the Great Bear Wilderness area, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River enters civilization at its confluence with Bear Creek and Route 2. Right away the Middle Fork becomes the southeastern boundary to Glacier National Park. With the park on one side and forest service scattered with a handful of privately held parcels of land on the other, a float down the Bear Creek to Moccasin Creek section of the Middle Fork of the Flathead has a remote, near-wilderness feel.
Fed by additional snowmelt from the Lewis Range and the Flathead Range, the Middle Fork of the Flathead continues to grow in size as it travels the thirty plus miles to Moccasin Creek. The river winds through a canyon studded with thick larch and pine forest, opening occasionally to reveal impressive views of the peaks in the park and wilderness areas.
Occasional intermediate level rapids and frequent rock gardens interrupt the emerald green waters of the Middle Fork through this stretch. Salt licks along the river’s edge attract deer and mountain goats and raptors are commonly sighted soaring above the river channel.
Trips along the Bear Creek to Moccasin Creek stretch of river typically last from 1-3 days and are often incorporated with the lower whitewater stretch through John Stevens Canyon to end the adventure with a bang!
