Search found 111 matches
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:53 pm
- Forum: Guide Books
- Topic: Glacier NP and Bob Marshall Wilderness Montana
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4292
Re: Glacier NP and Bob Marshall Wilderness Montana
Next version: https://bedrock-and-paradox.ecwid.com/P ... -p84036470
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:48 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: NF Sun River, Bob Marshall Wilderness
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12750
Re: NF Sun River, Bob Marshall Wilderness
Scary stuff guys, be careful out there.
Lots of big water this year will probably mean lots of new wood, new channels cut, maybe even new rapids in places. No joke. Lots more packrafters in Montana in the last few years.
Lots of big water this year will probably mean lots of new wood, new channels cut, maybe even new rapids in places. No joke. Lots more packrafters in Montana in the last few years.
- Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:22 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Calm(er) water trips in Western MT
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2593
Re: Calm(er) water trips in Western MT
Sky is the limit given where you are. Upper main Blackfoot (as you posted elsewhere) is a good one. The lower main Blackfoot is pretty mellow in a packraft once the water drops a bit, but that usually coincides with when it gets crowded. The entire Bitterroot is gorgeous and easy, but again can be c...
- Wed Jun 15, 2016 8:26 am
- Forum: Guide Books
- Topic: Glacier NP and Bob Marshall Wilderness Montana
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4292
Re: Glacier NP and Bob Marshall Wilderness Montana
Here's a link to Dave Chenault's guide to Glacier and the Bob. Really inspiring! http://bedrockandparadox.com/glacier-np-packrafting-guidebook/ The guide has been revised significantly, with just about all of the holes filled in. Thanks for all the folks who have given me feedback about it over the...
- Wed Jun 15, 2016 8:23 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Trip Guide to South Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 17
- Views: 49252
Re: Trip Guide to South Fork of the Flathead
Good call Dave, I edited my post to reflect some of those ideas. Good stuff. Packrafters move at a different pace than hikers, horsepackers, or the (typically guided) trips on big rafts. While on the water we might see only one other boat in 20 miles, while those users might see 4-5 different packr...
- Tue Jun 14, 2016 1:42 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Trip Guide to South Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 17
- Views: 49252
Re: Trip Guide to South Fork of the Flathead
I’ve been thinking about writing a trip summary of the South Fork of the Flathead for a couple years now, but avoided doing so for fear that I would increase the number of people floating it. Ultimately, this might reduce the “remote” feel, lower the fishing quality and likely make it Montana’s sec...
- Tue Dec 01, 2015 11:21 am
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Bob Marshall 2016. No longer...
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5979
Re: Bob Marshall 2016
Will see you there Theresa. Hopefully the kid will be dialed on class 1 by then.
Brad, it is tenuous, no way around it. If you or anyone in your position can wait until mid-May to finalize dates you should have a good sense for what the water is going to do, but before that it's a roll of the dice.
Brad, it is tenuous, no way around it. If you or anyone in your position can wait until mid-May to finalize dates you should have a good sense for what the water is going to do, but before that it's a roll of the dice.
- Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:34 am
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Bob Marshall 2016. No longer...
- Replies: 7
- Views: 5979
Re: Bob Marshall 2016
Hey there Brad - me again. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your plan for the Bob next summer is unlikely to work out in July/August. I tried to do a similar trip this past summer in early July and water levels were already too low. The good news is that the South and Middle Fork still had ...
- Thu Jun 11, 2015 6:41 am
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: Upper Middle Fork Flathead River
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2518
Re: Upper Middle Fork Flathead River
Nice vid Brandon. Fun though Spruce down is, the best parts are upstream from where you put in! I've got some beta for you if you want to spoil the fun: http://bedrockandparadox.com/glacier-np-packrafting-guidebook/ I call the Schafer to Bear Creek section the lower Middle Fork, and Gooseberry to Sc...
- Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:39 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Middle Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12339
Re: Middle Fork of the Flathead
Great info, thanks Dave. What would be the low end of cfs you would float the Schaefer to Essex section? We are planning a trip down the S.fork and hiking over to the middle out to W.Glacier in late August. You can make 1100 cfs work, but 3 Forks down to Granite Creek is very bony and slow. Granite...
- Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:08 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: North Fork of the Sun
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2265
Re: North Fork of the Sun
It will be questionable. I've only floated that stretch in May and June, with levels in the 1000-1500 cfs range. Currently its at 270 and dropping quickly. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&format=gif_default&site_no=06078500&period=&begin_date=2014-06-01&end_date=2014-07-24 The first...
- Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:40 am
- Forum: Guide Books
- Topic: Glacier NP and Bob Marshall Wilderness Montana
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4292
Re: Glacier NP and Bob Marshall Wilderness Montana
I'll keep updating this as I go, but there are a lot of creeks, and my enthusiasm for investigating some of them is minimal given how woody many tend to be.
- Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:34 am
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: Double Duck v. Explorer 42
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4362
Double Duck v. Explorer 42
I'm planning on buying one of these this summer, and am looking for feedback from folks who have used one or the other, ideally from folks who have used both. Mission specs are to carry two folks (and eventually one adult plus one kid) and gear on mild rivers and river crossings. Very occasional use...
- Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:02 pm
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Skiing South Fork Flathead
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1878
Re: Skiing South Fork Flathead
I'm contemplating a skiing/boating trip, maybe in the Swan Range. Early May might be the best time. Has anyone done this? Any beta? Access from Seely Lake area, Holland Peak, Gordon Creek??? 3 days skiing, 3-4 days boating. Maybe hike/skin in to Holland Peak area, set up base camp, ski a couple day...
- Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:05 am
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: APA Roundup carpool
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1793
Re: APA Roundup carpool
Hope it works out Dan.
There is a lot for non-paddling family or friends to do in the area, and Big Creek is actually a pretty convenient base for a bunch of good hiking.
There is a lot for non-paddling family or friends to do in the area, and Big Creek is actually a pretty convenient base for a bunch of good hiking.
- Tue Dec 17, 2013 12:56 pm
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: Alpacka Scout
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2721
Re: Alpacka Scout
The Scout is fine for something like the S Fork Flathead at summer levels, providing your pack isn't too big, and the weather is decent (as you will get wet). I did both the South and Middle Fork in mine this summer and in warm weather it's a fine option for a reasonably skilled boater going UL.
- Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:11 pm
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Looking for Bob Marshall advice
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1561
Re: Looking for Bob Marshall advice
The White isn't going to be be floatable at all. Neither is Danaher, and likely not the Sun either. The S Fork above Big Prairie is going to be very slow, with a fair bit of dragging and avoiding gravel bars. Below Big Prairie you'll be floating full time, but in the <2 mph range. Floating, fishing,...
- Wed May 29, 2013 9:44 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Middle Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12339
Re: Middle Fork of the Flathead
Did Strawberry to Schafer this weekend with flows around 10,000 cfs (@West G). A good level, with only one or two rapids I'd call class III. There are several very large, very recent log jams a few miles below Gooseberry. They rate a mandatory but easy portage. On water pace of around 4 mph. Scenery...
- Wed May 29, 2013 9:38 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Bob Marshall packraft traffic
- Replies: 2
- Views: 3041
Bob Marshall packraft traffic
At the start of a trip this past weekend I had a brief but interesting conversation with one of the longer serving wilderness rangers. Suffice to say that the increase in packraft traffic in the last few years is definitely on their radar. He mentioned the visual impact of bright boats, which sort o...
- Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:07 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: 2012 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open
- Replies: 0
- Views: 3452
2012 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Open: 2012 official unofficial report Compiled and written by Dave Chenault For a comprehensive set of links to trip narratives, please see below. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Open (BMWO) was devised as a test of wilderness savvy, to be held over Memorial Day weekend each ...
- Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:00 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Re: Glacier National Park
Camas Creek below Trout Lake: -from Trout Lake to Roger Lake the creek is quite swift with near continuous small rapids. Camas Falls around 2/3s of the way down is unrunnable, so floating this section is tenuous and committing. There is a decent bear trail river-left almost all the way down to the l...
- Mon May 28, 2012 4:44 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: NF Sun River, Bob Marshall Wilderness
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12750
Re: NF Sun River, Bob Marshall Wilderness
Put in at Headquarters Creek and floated to just above Sun River Butte this weekend as part of a longer trip. At high water this took barely more than two hours of continuous floating. No river-wide jams, but some wood worth avoiding. The first half had more riffles and rapids than I expected, some ...
- Mon May 28, 2012 10:05 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Middle Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12339
Re: Middle Fork of the Flathead
There is only one Middle Fork gauge of which I'm aware; at West Glacier. All levels cited by me above are from that one. In a normal year early July would probably have flows too high for my taste, at least if you hope to run the harder sections. Better boaters might think otherwise. Cabin Creek rap...
- Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:20 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Middle Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12339
Re: Middle Fork of the Flathead
Skied in a few weeks and ran Lodgepole to Bear Creek with a portage around the whole Spruce Park section. ~2200 cfs. A great trip and a good level for floating. Taking out at the cabin and putting in at Dirtyface Creek is a painless, if long, way to skip Spruce and turns this trip (at low water) int...
- Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:27 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Re: Glacier National Park
McDonald Creek is closed to boating from April 1 thru September 30. As in March the creek is frozen, this essentially limits boating to right after rain storms in October. I floated the creek from a bit below Logan Creek down to the lake on Saturday (Oct 8th), portaging all the major rapids. There a...
- Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:32 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: North Fork Blackfoot River (MT)
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4096
Re: North Fork Blackfoot River (MT)
Did the same run lately, at essentially the same water level. It's quality cannot be overstated. No wood this year, remarkably. I found that the aforementioned too-tight drop is runnable. Unfortunately I got pinned threading the needle and had a rough swim. Thankfully, even though the rocks are near...
- Thu Sep 22, 2011 3:05 pm
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: flyfishing out of your alpacka
- Replies: 8
- Views: 5835
Re: flyfishing out of your alpacka
It can be done. I've caught trout up to 14" out of the Yak this summer, all on a tenkara rod. The boat spinning around a lot is a nuisance, some sort of anchor would be useful. I've also had fish dive under the boat and throw the hook in the process.
- Thu Sep 22, 2011 3:03 pm
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: MT rafters! N Fork Blackfoot this Sunday!
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1334
MT rafters! N Fork Blackfoot this Sunday!
Ground water is at unprecedented levels, and I'm taking advantage of it to run the N Fork of the Blackfoot this Sunday. Conditions look perfect. This is packraft/mini-golf class 4. Boulder garden pool drop fun at it's best. Helmets and a bit of confidence are mandatory, but at this level swimming is...
- Thu Sep 22, 2011 2:55 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Re: Glacier National Park
Kintla Creek below Lower Kintla Lake is good floating, and has enough water surprisingly late (did it a few weeks ago). It's quite wood-free compared to the other N Fork draining creeks in the park, but there are still some wood jams to pay close attention to. A woman in an inflatable kayak got pinn...
- Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:38 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Middle Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12339
Re: Middle Fork of the Flathead
Probably mid August in a typical year. I.e. 2000-1500 cfs.
- Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:58 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Middle Fork of the Flathead
- Replies: 12
- Views: 12339
Middle Fork of the Flathead
This past weekend, with three others solicited from this forum, I paddled what might be the premier 2-3 (or more) day packrafting trip in the lower 48. In Montana's Great Bear Wilderness we hiked Morrison Creek in to a point just west of Schaeffer Meadows, then packrafted out to Essex. The first day...
- Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:05 am
- Forum: Idaho
- Topic: The Selway River
- Replies: 4
- Views: 4520
Re: The Selway River
We went right about this time last year.
- Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:30 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Re: Glacier National Park
I don't know how tribal stream access works. You need a tribal rec permit to hike on the lands near Glacier, but wouldn't be sure that this alone would cover you will all the locals. I've certainly driven past Two Medicine in the res and thought that it looked good. The stretch above Running Eagle f...
- Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:36 pm
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Paging MT rafters: M Fork Flathead over Labor Day
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2119
Re: Paging MT rafters: M Fork Flathead over Labor Day
Plenty of interest from a variety of folks.
To be clear, the plan is not much of one, yet, and can be tailored to the group who ends up going. So if you're interested, get outta the woodwork!
To be clear, the plan is not much of one, yet, and can be tailored to the group who ends up going. So if you're interested, get outta the woodwork!
- Thu Aug 04, 2011 4:47 am
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Paging MT rafters: M Fork Flathead over Labor Day
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2119
Paging MT rafters: M Fork Flathead over Labor Day
With our delayed water levels this year things are looking good for the Middle Fork of the Flathead to be low, but not too low, over Labor Day weekend. I'd like to do a 3 day run of the wilderness section, hiking in from Marais Pass or thereabouts. It'd be more fun to have a crew of packrafts along,...
- Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:01 pm
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Stillwater river in the Beartooth's Montana?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2054
Re: Stillwater river in the Beartooth's Montana?
The Yogaslackers did this a few years ago and got bouted pretty hard. There's a writeup on this forum.
- Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:07 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Re: Glacier National Park
Quartz Creek from Lower Quartz Lake to very near the junction with Cummings Creek was very fun today. Good water level, good class II-III+ paddling. Near the aforementioned junction the creek emerges into a ~10 year old burn, and as expected the log jams got out of hand shortly thereafter. For me, n...
- Sun Jun 26, 2011 5:03 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Re: Glacier National Park
Camas Creek from below Lake Roger to the Inside NF road bridge is great, scenic class 1. One river wide log which was an awkward portage as the "banks" were impenetrable willows flooded over the head. Excellent birding.
- Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:49 am
- Forum: Tips & Technique
- Topic: Flexible Vinyl Mender?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2572
Re: Flexible Vinyl Mender?
Forged ahead. Used a thin coat on each side, let it dry for a minute, pressed together, cure overnight, bead of aquaseal around the edge. Solid. Cleaned each surface with alc and emery paper first.
- Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:41 am
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness - S. Fork Flathead
- Replies: 14
- Views: 21791
Re: Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness - S. Fork Flathead
This guage http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv?site_no=12359800 is not far above where the South Fork empties into the reservoir. It is below the Spotted Bear river, which adds significantly to the flow. Nonetheless, there will be some pretty huge water in there right now. The upper sections (above...
- Tue May 31, 2011 3:33 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness - S. Fork Flathead
- Replies: 14
- Views: 21791
Re: Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness - S. Fork Flathead
Did Scott's route over Memorial Day weekend; obviously a bit of snow was involved. It's a superlative route, in any season, which I'd recommend to anyone. I reckon I had around 3000 cfs on the South Fork, which was very nice. No dragging, fast but not at all pushy. I walked to Basin Creek before put...
- Sun May 22, 2011 7:05 am
- Forum: Partners & Logistics
- Topic: Places along the Great Divide
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1958
Re: Places along the Great Divide
For starters you'll go right along the North Fork of the Flathead, which unless it's running high (more than 3,000 cfs) is a great mellow bikerafting float. You could put in by Polebridge and float all the way down to Columbia Falls, which IMO is a good trade for Red Meadow Pass (which is cool) and ...
- Tue May 17, 2011 7:15 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Big Creek, lower N Fork
Did a fun trip this weekend: http://vimeo.com/23783346 Big Creek would be great floating with less wood. The North Fork below big creek has 3 legit class 3 rapids at these flows (~13,000 cfs), and some freaky standing waves and weird boils. Made Big Creek to the confluence with the Middle Fork in 3 ...
- Tue May 17, 2011 6:08 pm
- Forum: Tips & Technique
- Topic: Flexible Vinyl Mender?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2572
Flexible Vinyl Mender?
I've got a few strap plates I want to glue on, and was hoping to get the promised tips on using this stuff before I go for it. What beyond the package direction ought I to know?
- Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:03 pm
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: Packraft paddles: big v. small blade, high v. low cadence
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1475
Packraft paddles: big v. small blade, high v. low cadence
Two questions which are perhaps only sometimes related. Do folks perfer a large surface area blade for packrafting, a small blade, or something in the middle? To what extent does whitewater v. flatwater v. expedition use influence the above? High cadence v. low? Again, parsed for different uses. I a...
- Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:13 pm
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: New Packrafter here...some gear questions?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4225
Re: New Packrafter here...some gear questions?
Forrest had some fancy all-carbon Werner on the Selway last year, and it was night and day stiffer than my Aquabound. Massive, massive difference. Not sure of the model.
- Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:28 pm
- Forum: Montana
- Topic: Glacier National Park
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15087
Nyack Creek
The boating season is now open!
Lower Nyack Creek: meandering class 1+ with some monster river-wide wood jams at the apex of the deeper bends. Balls deep postholing to portage around! Woohoo!
Lower Nyack Creek: meandering class 1+ with some monster river-wide wood jams at the apex of the deeper bends. Balls deep postholing to portage around! Woohoo!
- Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:25 pm
- Forum: Utah & Nevada
- Topic: Virgin River
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3444
Re: Virgin River
Looking forward to a Narrows video next! I did that stretch at 300 cfs in a duckie years ago and had a blast. It'd be a great level for the Narrows in a packraft.
- Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:37 pm
- Forum: Packrafting Gear
- Topic: New Packrafter here...some gear questions?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 4225
Re: New Packrafter here...some gear questions?
I have a four piece Aquabound Shred. Very tough. If you get one, don't use anyones Werner. You'll realize how much stiffer the Werner is and want one yourself.
I don't know how the Sawyer stacks up in that respect. The weight is certainly nice. But I want a Werner now.
I don't know how the Sawyer stacks up in that respect. The weight is certainly nice. But I want a Werner now.
- Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:34 pm
- Forum: Design & Do-It-Yourself
- Topic: Seat Valve & Floor Abrasion
- Replies: 8
- Views: 7029
Re: Seat Valve & Floor Abrasion
Hmmm. Well, I guess it can be a good idea to not read the instructions.
I have a blue foam mat I cut to fit inside the whole floor. Helps with heel abrasion in the shallows.
I have a blue foam mat I cut to fit inside the whole floor. Helps with heel abrasion in the shallows.