The BaitShop Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Head for the Hills! > Camping, Hiking and Backpacking
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - upper missouri river float trip planned
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

This site is completely supported by donations; there are no corporate sponsors. We would be honoured if you would consider a small donation, to be used exclusively for forum expenses.



Thank you, from the BaitShop Boyz!

upper missouri river float trip planned

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Administrator
Administrator
Avatar
aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 14749
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: upper missouri river float trip planned
    Posted: 25 July 2008 at 07:40
guys -

i'm gathering information/equipment etc. to put together a float trip on the missouri river the 2nd weekend in august (two weeks from now).

montanans will be familiar with this tretch, even if they haven't been on it. we plan to do a friday-saturday-sunday trip from coalbanks landing to judith landing.

when i was younger, i floated from coal banks to the fred robinson bridge, and then again from coal banks to judith. i want my kids to share in that experience. we only have one boat, a flat-bottom aluminum boat; not ideal but better than a raft, i imagine. and plan to take the oldest (18) this year, the next oldest (16) next year and the third oldest (13) the year after that. the youngest shows signs of becoming a true outdoorsman and will likely go all three times and again after that.

anyone who might be in the area is welcome to join us; bring a boat, food gear etc. if you want to join the party. PM or reply to this thread if interested.
TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

Helfen, Wehren, Heilen
Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
Back to Top
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Administrator
Administrator
Avatar
aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 14749
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 July 2008 at 15:13

possible modificatio to the above plan. i am thinking of starting at fort benton, which is not only historically significant, but also the beginning of the area known as the "wild and scenic" upper missouri river.

still a friday-sunday, but might start in ft. benton and go to coal banks; then next time go from coal banks to judith; eventually to go all the way to the fred robinson bridge.

if anyone wants to see the eare i am talking about, hit this link:

lots of very good info/pix there.

MTmiller, if you catch this thread, wuold be interested in anything you'd like to share about your experiences there; same goes for anyone else who has taken the trip. as i said above, i took it twice when i was a boy, and the experiences really had a big influence in my life where the outdoors and history are concerned.

TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

Helfen, Wehren, Heilen
Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
Back to Top
mr mom View Drop Down
.30/06 SpringField
.30/06 SpringField
Avatar

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 342
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mr mom Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 July 2008 at 15:33

  18, 16, 13  ????? last time i seen a pic of the kids they were in the back of the truck with something you had shot and the youngest was in a walker with cake or something smeared all over his face????

  ron , i know you are getting older , but ??????

mr mom
Back to Top
VarmintGuy View Drop Down
.243 Winchester
.243 Winchester


Joined: 04 June 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 131
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VarmintGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 July 2008 at 17:06

TasunkaWitko: I hope you and the offspring have a great time!

Be sure and take bugspray!

Down river, near the UL Bend on the north side I have a secret spot. Its about a mile above the water with a great view of same with Mule Deer and Elk aplenty.

I saw the spot for the first time many years ago from across a huge valley (Break?). And I could see Mule Deer rutting there with my spotting scope. It was to far to get to that day but the next morning I was there at sunrise looking over the Mule Deer as they came up from below and did their rutting activities.

I passed on the Bucks I saw that morning and when I stood up to leave I noticed a funny circle of stones on the ground - I thought who brought those stones all the way up here on this flat spot on this ridge?

I went a few yards more and here was another circle of stones (the stones were the 10 to 15 pound size!) - then it hit me - these were two Teepee rings!

In all I found 13 Teepee rings there - and I always go back to that flat ridge top to check on the Teepee rings when I am in the area.

Lots of Indian items in that area - including a huge rock the size of a VW that the Indian folks carved (chiseled) directional arrows and symbols onto. This rock is about 10 miles as the crow flies northwest of the Teepee ring site.

Over the years I surmised (imagined) that the Indians used that camp to Hunt Big Game and Buffalo from - the view from there is incredible in four directions for many miles. But the nearest water I can find in the months of September, October and November is a full mile away!

Be sure and get out of the boat and look for shed horns, fossils, artifacts and the like.

I am not sure where that natural bridge used to be (before vandals knocked it down) but I had a friend from Washington who came out and did a canoe trip past it about 5 years ago and he said that stretch of the river was very scenic and worthwhile.

Enjoy and be careful.

Hold into the wind

VarmintGuy

Back to Top
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Administrator
Administrator
Avatar
aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 14749
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 July 2008 at 19:26

AL - it might sound crazy, but time marches on! LOL ~ they are growing up TOO fast and i've spent too many years not knowing what to with them or how to do it; these last two or three years have been real eye openers and i try to take maximum advantage. it is frustrating that petty things such as gas prices, finances, work schedules etc. keep us from really enjoying what we can, but the trick, i guess, is to do the best a man can do within those limits. you younger fathers out there, pay heed to this - it slips by faster than you think, even if you think you're keeping up with it!

VG - sounds like you had an incredible time. i agree that you gotta get out of the boat a bit to appreciate the experience.

>>>I am not sure where that natural bridge used to be (before vandals knocked it down) but I had a friend from Washington who came out and did a canoe trip past it about 5 years ago and he said that stretch of the river was very scenic and worthwhile.<<<

it wasn't so much a natural bridge as it was a small needle's eye; in fact, it was (and still is, i suppose) the eye of the needle. it was a tall oval of rock and i stood in it twice and looked down on the river from there. a very awesome experience and i was extremely crestfallen when it was destroyed. it's on the part of the river that i consider in many ways to be "the best;" not too far downstream from coalbanks landing. if you have ever seen the works of carl bodmer, you've likely seen some of the scenes.

if a person is only going to do one 3-day "stretch" of the upper missouri in his/her life, it really should be the stretch between coal banks and judith, IMO. this is probably the most scenic and historically significant. for that reason, when i take the kids, it will probably be on that stretch. the fort benton, fred robinson etc areas are also important, both in terms of scenery, ecology, culture and history, but these i can do other times on other trips; i want to make sure they at least see the stretch between coal banks and judith, as it is what being a montanan is all about, at least, to me.



Edited by TasunkaWitko
TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

Helfen, Wehren, Heilen
Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
Back to Top
d4570 View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar

Joined: 27 January 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9403
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote d4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 July 2008 at 02:02

 WELL !

 I can't make it

 I just did that trip and it was Fantastic !!!! The water is in good shape for you.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?06109500 Most of the time a boat is not the recommended form of travel this time of year. I don't think you can use a motor now but your boat will "Float" OK.

http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office/UM.htm l

 

Yes you will need a lot of bug spray and keep a close watch for snakes remember your a million miles from help and your cell phone is worthless in the brakes.  Also !!!! you need to have a "WAG BAG"( pot-a-potty or some thing like that ) with you at all times in the monument!!! You will get a ticket if you don't !!!Water is huge when your out there there is no shade and you will dehydrate fast in the sun and wind. One more thing. Take some thing like a 5 gal bucket or a better thing is a drift sack. When a thunder storm or just a east wind come along you can put it over board with a rope on it and still float. The wind WILL stop your floating fast !!!!

 Wish I could go



Edited by d4570
Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box
Back to Top
Rob1 View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
** The Walnut Whisperer **

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Vatican City State
Status: Offline
Points: 3413
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rob1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 July 2008 at 17:37
  I'm too busy with my garage or I might consider doing it in my pontoon. Take lots of water and ice and some shade. Sounds like a hot one to me.
last in line for the nobel peace prize. first in line for pie

Charter Member of the Round Earth Society
Back to Top
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Administrator
Administrator
Avatar
aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 14749
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 July 2008 at 17:47

well, guys - the trip is off for this year. it's a long story and i will tell it when i have time, but suffice to say that the boat i was planning to use would not be the best for the job!

perhaps we could put something together for next year; with a little planning and organization, there's no reason why a few of us couldn't take a few days and have a good time with this.

TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

Helfen, Wehren, Heilen
Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
Back to Top
d4570 View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar

Joined: 27 January 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9403
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote d4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 July 2008 at 02:46

   

 

OK! now your talking lest do it be for June 15th and I can bring the boat ( to care the supply's for you canoe-r's ) . When the east wind comes we can all hook to gather and I can pull you down stream.

 NO! All joking aside maybe we can do some thing like that.

Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box
Back to Top
TCLouis View Drop Down
.223 Remington
.223 Remington
Avatar

Joined: 11 December 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 65
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TCLouis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2009 at 03:20
d4570

Thank you for posting stream data URL.

I did not realize that the river was that big up there.

I sure hope someone has some pics of the river/area they will share.

Oh, by the by, my 1886 and RB concur with your choice of screen name.


Edited by TCLouis
There is Family, Huntin, Fishin, Outdoors, . . .

The rest is pretty much frittering ones life away
Back to Top
d4570 View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar

Joined: 27 January 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9403
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote d4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2009 at 13:14
River pics ?? I got a million of them.What do you want to see???
Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box
Back to Top
TCLouis View Drop Down
.223 Remington
.223 Remington
Avatar

Joined: 11 December 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 65
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TCLouis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2009 at 14:30
I know nothing about the area so water, shoals, shoreline, general; area pictures.

Heck I jsut at to see what it is like in the area.
There is Family, Huntin, Fishin, Outdoors, . . .

The rest is pretty much frittering ones life away
Back to Top
d4570 View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar

Joined: 27 January 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9403
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote d4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2009 at 04:06
TC ,I Pm'ed you a bunch of pics. "D"
Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box
Back to Top
TCLouis View Drop Down
.223 Remington
.223 Remington
Avatar

Joined: 11 December 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 65
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TCLouis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2009 at 14:27
Thank you.  They proved that there is yet one more great thing for me to try to see before I croak.

I love the lack of anything (houses), it is what it takes to make one feel alive!

Getting away from things/peope is the one thing I have missed since I moved from NM and there are less and less places to get away.

Is that all trout water or does it warm enough for some warm water species?

THANX for the pix, they were exactly what I was wanting
There is Family, Huntin, Fishin, Outdoors, . . .

The rest is pretty much frittering ones life away
Back to Top
d4570 View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar

Joined: 27 January 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 9403
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote d4570 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2009 at 15:06
From Great Falls down is all warm water fishing ,very few trout.Bass,pike,cats,walleye,Sauger,sturgeon,Paddle fish,any thing you can think of...
Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.10
Copyright ©2001-2017 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.078 seconds.