Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w river run
Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w
The Mainstem Headwaters to South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead segment of the Whitewater River Run in Montana is a popular whitewater destination for experienced paddlers. The ideal streamflow range for this segment is between 500 and 1500 cubic feet per second (cfs), offering a thrilling ride through Class III and IV rapids. The segment is approximately 12 miles long and includes notable rapids such as Fang, Pillow Rock, and Telecaster.
There are specific regulations in place for this area, including a permit requirement for overnight camping. The segment is also closed to motorized watercraft and has a daily use limit of 30 individuals or 15 groups. Additionally, visitors are required to pack out all trash and waste.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Fork Below Missoula Mt | 8,550 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River Near Missoula Mt | 3,960 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Above Missoula Mt | 4,940 cfs | → |
| Bitterroot River At Bell Crossing Nr Victor Mt | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At Turah Bridge Nr Bonner Mt | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot River Near Bonner Mt | 3,240 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- No Name Creek Headwaters, Sec. 30, T10n, R22w To Mainstem, Sec. 24, T10n, R22w
- Montana Creek, Sec. 18, T11n, R24w To Fish Creek, Sec. 8, T12n, R24w
- Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 21, T11n, R25w To Montana Creek, Sec. 18, T12n, R24w
- White Creek Headwaters, Sec. 33, T12n, R24w To Mainstem, Sec. 18, T12n, R24w
- Pebble Creek Headwaters, Sec. 10, T11n, R25w To Mainstem, Sec. 28, T12n, R25w
Campgrounds
- Lewis And Clark
- Lolo Creek Campground And Picnic Area
- Lolo Creek
- West Fork Butte Lookout
- Earl Tennant
- Lee Creek
Fishing spots
- Bitterroot River
- Bass Creek
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
- Petty Creek Fishing Access
- Blackfoot River
- St. John's Fishing Access Site
Parks
- Travelers' Rest State Park
- Council Grove State Park
- Playfair Park
- Missoula Memorial Rose Garden
- Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
- Fort Owen State Park
Points of interest
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w
What's the optimal flow for Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Mainstem Headwaters, Sec. 35, T10n, R22w To South Fork Lolo Creek Trailhead, Sec. 12, T11n, R22w.