Ride and raft the Rockies for the vacation adventure of a lifetime. Begin by spending 2½ days riding horseback in the largest wilderness area in the continental United States. Next, embark on a 2½-day whitewater rafting trip along the border of Glacier National Park on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River to finish off your adventure in the real west ... Montana!
You're invited to enter the Great Bear Wilderness with Glacier Raft Company. In 1978, the Great Bear Wilderness Area was established as a corridor linking the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park. Combined, these wilderness areas total approximately three million acres, the largest tract of wilderness lands in the lower contiguous United States.
Your trip will begin Monday morning at 8:30am at Glacier Raft's office in West Glacier. Once everyone is packed and signed-in, you will drive about 45 miles along the southern edge of Glacier National Park to the corrals of Snowy Springs Outfitters and the access trailhead for the Great Bear Wilderness. When packing, you should plan to pack what you need for the river separately; they'll give you a waterproof bag and then you can store it at the trailhead and pick it up after the horse trip and before you hit the river. Due to the constraints involved with wilderness horsepacking, Glacier Raft asks that you limit your baggage to 40lbs per person.
After everyone is introduced and fitted to your faithful horse, an orientation will be given on handling it. This trip is into a roadless wilderness area. Wilderness areas consist of backcountry trails accessible only by horseback or on foot. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Glacier Raft Company takes inexperienced riders but you must consider that this is backcountry horse travel into a wilderness area and certain inherent risks are involved. They recommend that if you have never ridden you should consider a couple of riding lessons prior to the trip. The horses are gentle and familiar with the trails, but being somewhat familiar with a horse will greatly increase your enjoyment of the trip. Riding time will be four to six hours per day.
You will be eating hardy western-style meals by a campfire and sleeping in sleeping bags in a tent. You will be accompanied by a guide and cook who will be responsible for your livestock and camp arrangements. The country is truly spectacular with rivers, lakes and typical high-country topography.
There will be opportunities for fishing as the camping is near the river, but this is primarily a backcountry horse trip. If you are interested in fishing, bring your own gear and be sure it is compact and in an UNBREAKABLE case.
Wednesday, you will ride back out to the trailhead where you will be met by van for a short ride to the river where you will have a chance to rearrange your gear and send any items unnecessary for the river back to Glacier Raft Company’s office in West Glacier. You will depart on the river by late afternoon and float a few miles, giving you a chance to wash off some trail dust before camp. The next two days will be spent fishing, floating, riverside meals, rapids and relaxing at your camp along the river. You will arrive in West Glacier at about 4:00pm on Friday.
Fishing is good, but this is not strictly a fishing trip. You will have opportunities to fish but more emphasis is put on the overall trip: riding, camping, rafting and enjoying the great outdoors. The agenda is subject to change due to trail conditions, weather or water levels and group interests.
Trip Details
Duration
5 Days/4 Nights
Location
Middle Fork of Flathead River
Season
June - August
Trip Type
Paddle
Nearest City
West Glacier, MT
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
Montana, United States
Rated Classes
II-IV
Guest Capacity
12
Minimum Age Limit
6
Distance Traveled
28 - 40 Miles
Inflatable Kayaks
Available With Instruction Provided
Additional Activities
Fishing, Swimming, Off River Hiking/Exploring
Dining
All Meals Included
About Liquor
BYOB for Evening
Rates
$2,000.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
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Reservation Policy
50% deposit required; balance due 45 days prior to arrival.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received 45 days prior to arrival to receive refund less 25% of total; cancellations within 45 days are non-refundable but 75% may be applied to another trip within one year.
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