Flathead, Middle Fork

We paddled this section of the Middle Fork Flathead on the last day of a five-day packrafting trip from Granite Creek to Blankenship Bridge. Our take-out vehicle had been parked for the duration of the trip on the downstream river-left side of the bridge.

Float time for this reach was about 1 hour 15 minutes, though it’s easy to go slower and enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and gravel bars along the way. At 740 cfs, the river was fully navigable and accommodated a variety of craft we saw, including recreational kayaks, drift boats, paddleboards, and fully loaded rafts. At lower flows, some gravel bars may become shallow, but at this level the section is straightforward and accessible.

The float was scenic, with shoreline forest and bedrock outcrops that added to the experience. Devil’s Elbow was a particularly attractive bend that presented no navigational challenges at this flow. The water was crystal clear, allowing us to see trout beneath the surface. While a few riverside homes were visible, most of the shoreline remained natural and visually appealing.