May 11, 2007

Rattlesnake Creek; Missoula, Montana (II - III town run; V upper run)

It's always a good idea to make sure your paddle is in tune - Brandon showing how it's done

2 comments:

Brian said...

Although not exactly a whitewater thrill ride, Rattlesnake Creek is a great way to decompress after the work day. Missoula area paddlers have made a habit of running Rattlesnake Creek and floating down to Brennan's Wave on the Clark Fork for a surf session after work. Rattlesnake Creek is relatively easy (Class II/III-), but always be wary of new strainers.
This one is logistically simple: to put-in, drive up Van Buren Street in Missoula to the Rattlesnake trailhead and portage the dam about five hundred yards downstream (people have run it, but it's a pretty dumb idea), or do the shorter run putting in at the end of Lincolnwood subdivision. Take out at Finn and Porter and have a celebratory beverage or float down to Brennan's and surf your worries away.

Brian said...

There is also a run on upper Rattlesnake Creek that is a committing Class V wilderness adventure - check out www.infinitymountain.com to see Robin Carleton's pictures of this stretch - looks awesome!