Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e river run
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e
This river run covers a distance of approximately 11 miles, beginning at the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary and ending at the Headwaters in Sec. 29, T7S, R15E. While the entire run is scenic, it is especially beautiful in the upper section, which features steep canyon walls and narrow passages. One notable rapid on the upper section is Double Drop, which requires precise navigation.
There are specific regulations to the area, including permits for overnight use and campfires only in designated areas. Additionally, all visitors are required to follow Leave No Trace principles to protect the natural environment.
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 Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Rosebud Creek Near Roscoe Mt | 75 cfs | → |
| Soda Butte Cr At Park Bndry At Silver Gate | 123 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Red Lodge Mt | 225 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Absarokee Mt | 895 cfs | → |
| Red Lodge Cr Ab Cooney Re Nr Boyd Mt | 17 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Near Boyd Mt | 6 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
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 9, T9s, R14e
- Custer Forest Boundary, Sec. 1, T7s, S16e To Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary
- Custer Forest Boundary, Sec. 15, T5s, R15e To Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary
- Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 25, T8s, R17e
- Chief Joseph Cg, Sec. 28, T9s, R15e To Montana State Line, Sec. 34, T9s, R15e
Campgrounds
- Emerald Lake Campground
- East Rosebud Campground
- Jimmy Joe Campground
- Woodbine Campground
- Woodbine
- Colter Campground
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 Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e 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 Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e
What's the optimal flow for Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e?
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 Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Boundary To Headwaters, Sec. 29, T7s, R15e.