Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A . C O M 17 above "Headwaters" has folded more than a few canoes at high fl ows. It's always been my feeling that the "Jeff" comes the clos- est to providing an environmental experience akin to what the members of the Lewis and Clark expedition experi- enced as they followed the course of our Montana rivers. The close proximity of birds and wildlife, dense willows and cottonwoods, and long reaches with no visible build- ings contribute to a feeling of wild serenity. The Jefferson does get dewatered by irrigators in the sec- ond half of the summer and may get very low in drought years, so go early (and often). MISSOURI RIVER Many people in America know the Missouri River, and it's the same here in Montana. Up and downstream of Cascade is an easy day trip for beginners with legendary fi shing and spectacular "white cliffs" and "breaks." To get a taste, con- sider paddling from Fort Benton (great boat ramps right in town) to Loma (Loma Bridge FAS, 22 miles downstream). You fl oat by a prairie landscape with steep-sided grass- land bluffs, which are incised by coulees and draws that are frequented by mule deer, coyotes, and eagles. The water is fundamentally fl at and easy to navigate, but wind is com- mon and is a potential hazard for the unwary. Whitecaps and gusts may threaten stability or impede progress. This stretch of the Missouri is a fi ne introduction to the Mighty Mo,' which just might inspire you to tackle the weeklong trip downstream. FLATHEAD RIVER The forks and tributaries of the Flathead River provide numerous options, but for an incredible balance of shoreline picnic sites, scenery, convenience of access, ease of shuttle, and quality habitat it's hard to beat a fl oat from Teakettle FAS to the Old Steel Bridge FAS (15 miles). And it's all hap- pening between Columbia Falls and downtown Kalispell. Multiple channels and backwaters provide a diversity of paddling options, making it a great place to recreate and hone your basic paddling skills. The diversity of channels and abundance of shoreline create excellent habitat, par- ticularly for birds, but also for fl oaters. One note: the possibility of increased fl ow from Hungry Horse Dam located upstream on the South fork. This may signifi cantly change the river fl ow rate. Typically these will be publicly an- nounced, but be sure to pay attention and check fl ow rates. BITTERROOT RIVER The Bitterroot River Valley in western Montana is spec- tacular, and fl oating a river is the best way to experience it. To paddle the section from Victor (Bell Crossing FAS) to Florence (Florence Bridge FAS) is a magnifi cent 15-mile fl oat. Big scenery, a great braided and frequently fl ooded channel, and proximity to the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge make this particular segment naturally attractive. This is a smaller, but winding river, so be prepared to back- paddle to contend with possible fl ood debris and sudden turns. 1 2 F L O A T S Every area in Montana has popular rivers. From the photos we are using, can you identify the fi ve men- tioned in this article? Answers on page 19 PATRICK CHAPLIN VALERIE HARMS 3

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