Bear Creek To Essex


This is a scenic run that follows Highway 2.  This is a good stretch of river to extend the upper stretch or the stretch to Mocasin Creek.  At higher flows this run can get pushy with lot's of continous waves throughout.

Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Flathead, Middle Fork are between a bare minimum of 1,000cfs and a high of 10,000cfs. River conditions sourced from USGS 12359800, the S F Flathead R Ab Twin C Nr Hungry Horse Mt Remember only watercraft are permitted at Bear Creek to Essex.

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Whitewater Rapids

Obstacles on the river run
Bear Creek Rapid
Class II to III
Staircase Rapid
Class III- to III+
Goatlick Rapid
Class III- to III

Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
Flathead River At Columbia Falls Mt
USGS 12363000 		28,600 cfs 10.6 ft
Swan River Near Bigfork Mt
USGS 12370000 		3,560 cfs 4.8 ft
Two Medicine River Bl South Fork Nr Browning Mt
USGS 06091700 		938 cfs 3.9 ft
N F Flathead River Nr Columbia Falls Mt
USGS 12355500 		8,540 cfs 6.1 ft
St. Mary River Near Babb Mt
USGS 05017500 		2,880 cfs 4.9 ft
Cut Bank Creek Near Browning Mt
USGS 06098500 		60 cfs ft
St. Mary Canal At St. Mary Crossing Near Babb Mt
USGS 05018500 		607 cfs 7.6 ft
Flathead River Near Bigfork Mt
USGS 12369000 		4,310 cfs ft
Swiftcurrent Cr Ab Swiftcurrent Lk At Many Glacier
USGS 05014300 		113 cfs 1.8 ft
St. Mary Canal At Intake Near Babb Mt
USGS 05018000 		608 cfs 7.5 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Peters Creek 6 3,595 ft
Devil Creek 14 4,392 ft
Spotted Bear 13 3,734 ft
Devils Corkscrew 11 3,604 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Schafer Meadows to Bear Creek (Upper) 4310.0cfs 26.0 Mi III+ to IV+
Essex to Moccasin Creek 1290.0cfs 26.0 Mi II+
Bear Creek to Essex 6400.0cfs 4.71 Mi II to III+
Moccasin Creek to West Glacier (John Stevens Canyon) 4310.0cfs 9.0 Mi II+ to III+