I am heading out to the Bob Marshall Wilderness about 9/22/2012 to do a 4-day recon of the "Bob Open" course.

My dates and routes are flexible.

I am looking for similar minded individual(s) looking to cover 15-25 miles/day in less than ideal conditions.

You will know if this gig is right for you.

Wish I could join you, been wanting to do something similar. I live in whitefish but am not able to get away from work before school starts up again. Good Luck!

Will start at the Medow Creek trailhead, spend two days hiking to the headwaters of the South Fork of the Flathead River, and 2 day float back.

Sounds like fun, I MIGHT be interested. I'm working as a substitute this fall so it will be a week or two before I really know how much work I will be getting and whether or not I could afford a trip to MT. If it looks like a possibility I will let you know as soon as I can.

The South Fork above the reservoir is exceptionally low at the moment, and will only get lower unless it rains a lot in the next few weeks. With flows below 500cfs @ Twin Creek I wouldn't bother floating above Salmon Forks, you'll be dragging and dodging rocks like crazy.

David:

Thank you for the information.

Do you have any alternative packrafting suggestions in MT or WY?

About 4 days in length, about 1/2 packrafting, Class 1 or 2?

If not a packraft, how about a 4-day fastpack in the Bob, about 20 miles/day, could be out and back or a big loop?

Thank you.

That much packrafting at that grade is a tall order in autumn. Especially this year, with such a dry summer. Nothing really comes to mind.

There are many ~80 mile loops to be done in the Bob. The Chinese Wall as a circle from Benchmark or Gibson is good. Hiking from Monture and going over Hahn Pass to Danaher and then back over Limestone Pass is also good. The Gordon Creek to Big Salmon loop, starting and ending at Holland lake also comes to mind.

Beware, mid-Sept is the start of wilderness deer and elk season out there.

David:

Thank you for your suggestions. I will do one of those loops.

I am aware of elk hunting season. I will wear a bright orange road biking jersey and a have a couple of bear bells on my pack to shoo away the grizzlies.

All the best,

Mitch

there is an early (and pretty popular) hunting season in the Bob Complex- I'd strongly advise wearing orange or other bright color

it's definitely a beautiful time of the year to be in the Bob

I decided against a fast pack loop gig since I have done many of those already, although not in The Bob.

Decided to stick with the South Fork of the Flathead. If flows are low, will hike up to Salmon Forks, then float down to the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Will be hard to miss wearing a neon orange jersey with neon green buff.

Even rafting down from Salmon forks is going to be fun. Let us know how it goes.

Will do.

I bought a 2012 Alpacka Denali Llama with factory spraydeck in June, so I must make a trip with it before winter. A climbing trip got in the way this summer.