The South Fork Flathead is one of our most remote trips, which makes the experience extremely unique and rewarding. While most of our other trips can get to the put-in at the river by vehicle, we must use packing outfitters to break down all of our river and personal gear to be packed in by a mule string. The put in and pack in are trip dependent, as different outfitters have different preferences. Generally we will either pack 25 miles into Gordon Pass, in which you hike in from Holland Lake, or around 23 miles to Young’s Creek from Pyramid or Lodgepole Pass. We will have lunch on the trail that is pre-packed in the morning, and camp on the trail the first night after around 16 miles. You can either hike in or be packed in by horse, which is an additional cost not included in your WRO trip cost. When booking your trip, you will need to know your pack-in preference, and horse reservations need to be arranged ahead of time through WRO. You do not need previous trail riding experience.
If hiking in, you will want to have a backpack with your personal gear such as water, layers, snacks, packed lunch, basic first aid, sunscreen, medications, etc. (What you will eventually pack into your river day bag. If horseback riding, you should not wear a backpack, but keep water bottles, rain jacket and packed lunch loose to be placed in saddle bags.
Overnight bags and sleep kits will be available on the trail the first night.