Two Medicine

north of East Glacier to the east glacier bridge(Two Medicine Falls Section)

Reach banner
DifficultyII-III(V)
Length4.5 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeTwo Medicine River Bl South Fork Nr Browning Mt
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
1320 cfshigh runnable
Reach Info Last UpdatedOctober 8, 2020

River Description

Information from Chris Goble:

Character

This is a pretty river with constant class II water. There is one short

section of class III ledges. The river has two distinct sections split by

the 20 foot high Two Medicine Falls.

Low flows are around 700cfs, medium up to 1200cfs and high flows above this

Put In - Drive about 4km north of east glacier, heading towards the Park

gates. Park just east of the 1st bridge over the river. This is on reserve

land.

Take Out - Park on the north east side of the very tall bridge east of East

glacier. It is a 100m-200m hike up a grassy hillside

Description - The river has a number of pleasant corners with some chance of

mediocre play. There is a short section of ledges with some wood in the

middle before another small rapid leads to a large pool. Eddy out on river

left to scout or drop the falls. Portaging will require a body rappel off a

tree. With good shoes you may be able to scramble down and lower a boat.

The waterfall has a very dangerous feed on the far left. Recirculation on

the other side seems pretty minor.

After the falls the river runs over bedrock providing a unique character. A

few surf waves come out at high flows. You can continue down beyond the

highway bridge for 15km or so to a take out by heart creek. It is actually

quite a nice run overall. The river is dam released.


River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Several put ins exist.

Two Medicine Falls

Class: VDistance: 2.05 mi
Waterfall / Large Drop

Falls.

Take Out

Distance: 4.47 mi
Take Out

Two of us packrafted this section on May 17, 2025. It's my understanding the gauge is no longer in operation, but I would generally say it was medium flow.

Constant Class II, fast flow, but plenty of easy take-outs and eddies on the banks. We did portage the Class III ledge rapid, as the rocks are extremely sharp and at this flow it would likely cut a packraft.

Easy portage around the waterfall on river-right. NOT river-left, as old beta may suggest. At extremely high flows, however, river-right may be the only option - be sure to bring a rope and harness for river-left!

Took out under the highway bridge and hiked up from river-left.

A local man stopped us at the put-in and told us we need to have Blackfeet Conservation/Recreation permits for $20, which we bought online.

Great day on the river!

CG
chris goble

Jun 15, 2006


From near the rappel tree for the portage