Moccasin Creek to West Glacier
GO Running well at 3,120 CFS. · Conditions as of Jul 16, 2026, 1:45 PM. Printed snapshot generated Jul 16, 2026, 2:06 PM— conditions change, wood moves, levels swing. Verify the gauge and scout anything you can't read from upstream.
Mile by mile
- 1RM 19.8TunnelIII Named for the railroad tunnel on river-left. Current accelerates into a series of waves and small holes that set the tone for the run. Good warm-up — clear lines, fun wave action.
- 2RM 19.4BonecrusherIII Begins where the river bends back to the left. Formed by boulders with a hole at the bottom. At higher flows: large waves and a few strong holes. Main current pushes hard into the center; straightforward lines with attentive boat placement. Packs more punch at high water.
- 3RM 18.4WashboardII Long series of continuous wave trains. Bouncy, splashy fun — read-and-run with few technical moves.
- 4RM 18Big SqueezeIII River passes between bedrock outcrops that narrow the channel, creating pushy water and large diagonal waves. Demands precise boat control to stay clear of surging laterals. Short but powerful — especially challenging at higher flows.
- 5RM 17.7Screaming RightIII Current flows over a ledge down the left, then accelerates to the right into a strong wave train and lateral features that live up to the name. Energetic and fast — stay centered and ready to punch through waves.
- 6RM 17.5JawsIII-IV Standout rapid with large breaking waves and a dynamic main hole. Lines vary with flow; strong surf potential at the right level. American Whitewater rates this Class IV at high water; at lower flows it washes out to easy Class II.
- 7RM 17.1PinballIII-IV True to its name — scattered boulders and bedrock walls create pushy currents. At most flows it's playful but requires attentive maneuvering; at lower flows it washes out to easy Class II. AW rates Pinball Class IV at high water.
- 8RM 16.6RepeaterII Gravel bar on the left, rock wall on the right. A string of similar-sized waves and holes one after another — consistent action over its length.
- 9RM 16.4CBT RapidsII-III Named for the Coal Bank Turnout on Highway 2. Mix of waves and diagonals that feel bigger than they look from shore. Surprisingly pushy at medium to high flows — quick reactions and momentum are key.
- 10RM 16.2The NotchII-III Funnels through a narrow slot, creating a strong constriction in the current. At higher flows: pushy, with powerful waves and turbulent eddies. One of the more technical features on the run.
- 11RM 15.3PumphouseII Boisterous finish with big waves and swift current — straightforward but splashy. Many groups stop near this rapid for lunch in summer.
⚠ Wood & hazard reports
- May 25, 2026 — Late May 2026: Jaws is 'gnarly' right now — high, fast, and punchy; it flipped a mini-raft (swimmers OK). A paddler lost a flip line and a locking carabiner in it — a possible entrapment hazard for others. Bonecrusher, by contrast, was reported small. Expect brutal wind in the corridor too. (Barbara / AJ)
Getting there & back
Put-in
Moccasin Creek — Well-signed access along Highway 2. Most popular launch on the Middle Fork (~73 crafts and 449 people per day average in 2018). Closest launch to the major whitewater. Heavy outfitter use. PUT-IN ONLY — the access site sits on a side channel upstream of the main river and is very difficult to find from the river. If you miss it from upstream you continue into the biggest whitewater.
Take-out
West Glacier — Large cobble-bar take-out off River Bend Drive on river left. Higher-clearance vehicle recommended — passenger cars can bottom out on river cobbles. Heavy outfitter use; parking lot for trailers. Do not park on the beach. Private property adjoins — respect neighbors. Hand-carry craft can also exit upstream at the historic Belton Bridge via a short steep trail.
Shuttle (take-out → put-in): 11.2 mi · ≈ 17 min
Rules & contacts
- Personal flotation device. A USCG-approved PFD must be carried on board for every person. Anyone 12 or under must wear a PFD while the vessel is underway.
- Bear-resistant food storage. IGBC-approved bear-resistant food storage is required in the river corridor — this is grizzly country.
- Human-waste containment. Self-contained or solid human-waste containment is required on the Middle and North Forks (recommended on the South Fork).
- Fire management. Fire pans or fire blankets are required or strongly recommended; camp stoves are preferred over campfires.
- Aquatic-invasive-species inspection. An AIS inspection (NPS and Montana FWP) is required before launching anywhere in the basin.
- Emergencies. Dial 911. Cell coverage is limited throughout the corridor — plan to be self-reliant between accesses.
- Primary rescue. North Valley Search & Rescue covers all three forks of the Flathead.
- FWP warden. Ben Chappelow (Middle and South Forks)
- Nearest hospitals. Logan Health Whitefish and Logan Health Medical Center (Kalispell) are the primary regional facilities; serious trauma is flown to Kalispell or Missoula.
- Life-jacket loaner stations. Free loaner PFDs are available at the West Glacier and Glacier Rim access points, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Trip log
Spot wood or a changed rapid? Add it to the run page when you're back in coverage — riverbeta.app/middle-fork-flathead/moccasin-to-west-glacier — the next crew is counting on you.