Rattlesnake Creek
Backcountry Run
| Difficulty | III-V+ |
| Length | 14.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Rattlesnake Cr Nr Missoula, Mt |
| Flow Rate as of 2 hours | 697 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 9, 2023 |
River Description
Upper Rattlesnake Creek is a challenging adventure that has been tackled by only a few groups. The run is characterized by a fairly long hike in (maybe 5 miles), a Class IV gorge and a class V gorge above Franklin Bridge, followed by several miles of braided beaverdams (ie portage-fest), and finally several miles of fast Class II/III. The scenery and wildlife viewing are incredible, as is the physical challenge.
Paddlers wanting less challenge can also hike up from the main Rattlesnake Trailhead up to 3 miles or so for some nice Class II-III paddling back to the Trailhead or to continue down the lower.
Track flows here.
River Features
West Fork Gold Creek Trailhead
Hiking in from the West Fork of Gold Creek.
The Dalles
The signature drop of the Dalles is a trailside gorged-in waterfall.
Franklin Bridge
This is where the difficult whitewater ends, and the beaver dams begin.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportFloaters of Rattlesnake Creek should note the presence of a very hazardous dam below the Sawmill Gulch Road bridge, and above the trailhead at the end of Duncan Drive. This section should be avoided, as the dam usually acts like a large concrete strainer that cannot be seen from above. Floaters who enter the section and encounter a large concrete structure to river left should exit left above the structure, haul boats, and walk the trails around the area toward Duncan Drive. Put back in below the dam, and you have an excellent float on the lower section. Link to beta on this section:
https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/10233/
Trip and I had a fun hike up a couple miles from the trailhead for some zoomy backyard fun. Busy enough to keep ya focused, and exceptional for from-town packrafting.
We drove up the WF of Gold Creek to the ridge and hiked down into Upper Rattlesnake. Shawn R forgot his skirt so sadly had to go back with our shuttle driver Mamie. Chris and I had a long day, paddling all the way to my house in the Lower Rattlesnake. A very cool way to connect with my home watershed!