Spent a morning doing the half-day whitewater-rafting trip on the middle fork of the Flathead River. The support folks on the reservation desk and doing trip prep are efficient and helpful. At check-in, you get your helmet. Then, there is a short bus trip to the starting point. The life vests are on the back of seat in front of you on the bus. One of the river guides gets the groups set up for each raft while on the bus. Our trip had three rafts and about six kayaks. The rafts had two groups of eight and one group of ten. The rafts and equipment are of high quality and in good condition. Our river guide, Kane gave us a brief safety orientation as the trip starts on the river along with three simple rowing commands – paddle forward, paddle back and stop paddling. Gravity and the flow of the river does most of the work.
The scenery is beautiful. The river is pretty tame in August due to the flows being so low. Kane gives some history and descriptions along the 8-mile trip. We saw two eagles. There are about six rapids that add excitement. After a bit more then 3 hours, our trip ends and you take a brief walk back to the check-in building to return the helmet, vest and paddle. Then pick up your car keys.
It was a great way to spend a morning. I’d return at a future date when the river flows were greater.