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Bitterroot Hike and Packraft: Unique Wilderness Adventure
5.0
56 Ratings
Hamilton
Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure in the Bitterroot Mountains with a hike and packraft float. Explore rugged trails, glacial canyons, and alpine lakes with an experienced guide.
Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure in the Bitterroot Mountains with a hike and packraft float. Explore rugged trails, glacial canyons, and alpine lakes with an experienced guide.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Coyote Coulee Trailhead - Set off on a delightful day hike and enjoy a peaceful float on a tranquil alpine lake! Journey through a glacially sculpted canyon in the Bitterroot Mountains with a knowledgeable local guide. During the hike, the guide will point out native plants and wildlife and share insights into the Bitterroot’s natural history….
- Coyote Coulee Trailhead - Set off on a delightful day hike and enjoy a peaceful float on a tranquil alpine lake! Journey through a glacially sculpted canyon in the Bitterroot Mountains with a knowledgeable local guide. During the hike, the guide will point out native plants and wildlife and share insights into the Bitterroot’s natural history. Upon reaching the lake, experience floating on the water in inflatable packrafts. The guide will also prepare fresh tea or coffee for you to savor while floating, ensuring a leave-no-trace experience! Afterward, pack up and return to the trailhead on this out-and-back trail.
The price includes rentals of packrafts, backpacks, trekking poles, bear spray, and safety equipment. Each adult or youth ticket includes one packraft setup (packraft, paddle, life vest), with a maximum of 4 rafts due to permit restrictions. The guide carries two packraft setups. Opt for a private tour to ensure the guide carries your gear.
Enjoy a snack bag filled with Trail Mix, Beef and Vegan Jerky, and Cliff/Lara/Granola Bars!
The guide will also have a water filter, first aid kit, Garmin GPS communicator, and other essential tools for a backcountry adventure.
Hikes range from 6 to 8 miles with a significant elevation gain of over 1000 feet.
What's Included
- Freshly Filtered Water from Snowmelt
- Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Certified Guide
- Local Plant and Animal Identification
- Guide carries GPS Communicator, First Aid Kit
- Trekking Poles
- Huckleberry Picking - Mid July to Sept
- Bear Spray
- Snacks
- Packraft Rentals (4 per group limited by FS)
- Sciencey Nature Talks
- Silly Guide Jokes
- Backpacks
- Freshly Filtered Water from Snowmelt
- Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Certified Guide
- Local Plant and Animal Identification
- Guide carries GPS Communicator, First Aid Kit
- Trekking Poles
- Huckleberry Picking - Mid July to Sept
- Bear Spray
- Snacks
- Packraft Rentals (4 per group limited by FS)
- Sciencey Nature Talks
- Silly Guide Jokes
- Backpacks
What's Not Included
- Clothing / Hiking Clothing
- Hiking Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Raincoat (always bring just in case of emergency)
- Transportation - Transportation services are available! Please contact us to help you get a ride!
- Warm Clothing if forecast is chilly - we have backups if you need!
- Clothing / Hiking Clothing
- Hiking Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Raincoat (always bring just in case of emergency)
- Transportation - Transportation services are available! Please contact us to help you get a ride!
- Warm Clothing if forecast is chilly - we have backups if you need!
Additional Information
The Bitterroot National Forest boasts striking beauty and harsh terrain, with breathtaking peaks and profound glacial valleys. Its tracks may not always be in the best condition, and transient streams can impede those unaccustomed to fjord traverses. A tour guide’s assistance will undoubtedly be appreciated!
The distinct experience of hiking and…
The Bitterroot National Forest boasts striking beauty and harsh terrain, with breathtaking peaks and profound glacial valleys. Its tracks may not always be in the best condition, and transient streams can impede those unaccustomed to fjord traverses. A tour guide’s assistance will undoubtedly be appreciated!
The distinct experience of hiking and packrafting is exclusively offered by Bitterroot Backpacking. No competing guides or firms deliver this unique service! (And if they do, they likely borrowed the concept from here!)
- Anyone in general good health can complete one of these trips. Please inquire before booking!
Location
Camas Creek Trailhead
Lost Horse Observation Point Road
The final 5 miles to the trailhead is on dirt service road. Please proceed slowly, about 20 mph. Most vehicles will make it to the trailhead without issue! Parking for long vehicles, trailers, and low clearance vehicles available at Coyote Coulee Trailhead.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(56 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Steven_b
Oct 18, 2024
Best way to see the Bitterroots - Luke is an amazing guide. He made sure a clueless Australian was organised for wintery conditions and overall it was a very fun day. I'm definitely looking forward to coming to Montana again and doing a multi-day hike through the Bitterroots.
Review provided by Viator
Rachel
Sep 23, 2024
Highly recommend. - The name of this company is actually Bitterroot Backpacking. It is run by Luke who was our guide. You can find them by putting Bitterroot Backpacking in your search engine. We were a group of 4 people with vastly different levels of fitness. Luke was so kind, knowledgeable and fun. Our group did not know anything about Montana or backpacking. We just wanted to experience the mountains and nature up close.
Luke kept in touch with me before and during the trip to ensure everybody was safe and had a good time. He asked about our group members before our expedition. It was decided that the trip we had planned would be much too strenuous for some of our group members. Luke discussed this with me and recommended a very easy hike instead. Thank God for Luke! The easy hike almost killed some of us out of shape folks 😂. Luke gave as many breaks as needed, and was so supportive and encouraging to all of us.
He sang cowboy songs and told us about native plants and animals while pointing them out to us. Everybody had such a good time.
I highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacobkl3018ex
Sep 17, 2024
Amazing Alpine Packrafting Experience - The views were amazing!! The hike itself was not too challenging. Our guide Luke was very knowledgeable, and all around just a great guy. Highly recommend this!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y2259dcnatalies
Sep 9, 2024
Great Guide & Unique Experience - Luke was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable and was able to teach a lot along the way. He did a great job adjusting to the various level of all hikers. The pack rafting was such a unique experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_r
Aug 20, 2024
Family Hike and Float at Camas Lake - Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed our 6-mile roundtrip hike to Camas Lake and back. The hike was not an extremely difficult one, but enough of a challenge to make us enjoy the relaxing Pack Raft float on the lake … absolutely beautiful! We cannot say enough positive things about our guide Luke! Great communication prior to, during, and after the hike. Knowledgeable about the hiking, history, vegetation, and Bitterroot area. We really enjoyed the information Luke provided. He taught us about the edible berries along the way which was a special treat! On our way down we encountered a thunderstorm with rain and small hail. Luke navigated us perfectly and that will be one of our most fun memories. Mother Nature provided us with beauty and Luke’s way of responsibly and ethically showing us around the mountains was so appreciated! If you are thinking of a backpacking, hiking, floating, any type of an outdoor adventure in the Bitterroot area, we would highly recommend Luke and Bitterroot Backpacking!
Review provided by Viator
2iatravelers
Aug 19, 2024
Family Hike and Alpine Float - Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed our 6-mile roundtrip hike to Camas Lake and back. The hike was not an extremely difficult one, but enough of a challenge to make us enjoy the relaxing Pack Raft float on the lake … absolutely beautiful! We cannot say enough positive things about our guide Luke! Great communication prior to, during, and after the hike. Knowledgeable about the hiking, history, vegetation, and Bitterroot area. We really enjoyed the information Luke provided. He taught us about the edible berries along the way which was a special treat! On our way down we encountered a thunderstorm with rain and small hail. Luke navigated us perfectly and that will be one of our most fun memories. Mother Nature provided us with beauty and Luke’s way of responsibly and ethically showing us around the mountains was so appreciated! If you are thinking of a backing packing, hiking, floating, any type of an outdoor adventure in the Bitterroot area, we would highly recommend Luke and Bitterroot Backpacking!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sumfro
Aug 10, 2024
Twin Lakes float and Hike - What a wonderful day trip with Luke! The views are just incredible. However Luke really is what makes the trip great. He has an amazing personality and brings all the things you could ever need for a day trip. From the variety of snacks and beverages to the bug and bear spray and even offers to carry it all! Communication was great with him too as we were planning a custom trip. Hands down you wont be disappointed with any trip you plan with Luke. I hope one day soon we can make it back and Luke is still around the area to take us on another adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
44bevp
Aug 6, 2024
Bitterroot Mountains - This is a hidden gem in the Bitterroot Mountains with a gorgeous guided hike and peaceful raft float. Luke did an amazing job. Check him out at bitterrootbackpacking@gmail.com
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V117yfemilyl
Aug 1, 2024
Highly Recommend This Amazing Experience! - Going on this hike with Luke was absolutely incredible — I cannot recommend this experience enough! He takes care of everything, teaches you so much along the way, and gives you a magical memory. The hike itself was so beautiful, but the floating is something you’ll never forget!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonasp148
Jul 30, 2024
Highly reccomend this trip to all! - What a fantastic experience! Luke has got this down perfectly. A beautiful hike and float on the lake. A Great day trip for family friends etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
