Gallatin River

We had a fun packraft run, interspersed with the Community Paddle. There was lots of surfing, eddy catching, and some fun small boofs. While the water was entering its low late-summer phase, there was still plenty of fun to be had out there, and no hitting rocks in the main lines. Great to see a pretty big crew out enjoying the water.

Race photos etc from the 2016 fest.

Bob Heckler followed by Mike Lough and The Orange Crush on the Gallatin River

On the Mad Mile in July

The range of flows should be adjusted for gauge. 5260 cfs (5/31/09), is most certainly not on the lower side of recommended. It is much more like the upper side of recommended. Flows over 3500 turn the Mad Mile into an almost continuous rapid. This section is completely runnable by competent class IV boaters at extremely high flows. If you don't mind technical low-water, this section can be run year-round. It would be nice if this gauge could be updated.

This is a great river with a little something for everyone. New boaters can take out just above the bridge and skip the Mad Mile section but still have a good time. At high levels some rapids wash out but those that don't get big and make up for it. coming into the 2008 season things are looking great. if you haven't heard we got assaulted with snow all winter and there is still much snow in the higher elevations . Though it has been a slow start so far due to so much late season snow the river is slowly starting to come up and all us locals are looking foward to a raging whitewater season. the mad Mile is the funnest section and worth running multiple times in a day.

new online whitewater guide for montana area paddling - check it out!
www.montanaeddyhop.blogspot.com

This section is a local favorite of Gallatin Valley paddlers. It can be stompy at high flows and even at the lowest flows is a great backyard run. Play spots are scattered through out at all flows.

I paddled everything from Moose Flats to the Church Camp between 8/1/04 and 8/5/04. The levels varied from 470 to about 650 cfs.

There is enough water at these levels to have an enjoyable time. The Mad Mile, including House Rock, is a whole lot of fun even at these lower levels. Above and below are several miles of class II water. The best section was from Greek Creek to

Storm Castle access.

Boaters who are in the Bozeman (kewl town!) area ought to get on the Galatin.

I hope local folks will post something about this river at higher levels. Chris Kelly

The Mad Mile contains some fun pushing water with one of the highlights being House Rock.

There are many places to put-in on the Gallatin. Just find a pullover and go do some boating!

Copyright Randy Clark.