Great Bear Wilderness
The Great Bear Wilderness is located within the Flathead National Forest in Montana. It is in the northern most part of the state, just south of Glacier National park and to the northwest of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Sitting on the west side of the Continental Divide, the Great Bear Wilderness has an elevation variation from 4,000 feet along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River to a rise of 8,705 feet at the top of the Great Northern Mountain. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River has its original located within the Wilderness area.
You can get to the Great Bear Wilderness by following many trails that originate from forest roads that are found in the major drainage areas of the north and the west. If traveling by car, some major roads in the area include U.S. Highway 2 to the north and Montana State Highway 83 to the west. If you are flying into the area, there is a 3,000 feet grass strip, Schafer Airstrip, which is found along the upper fork of the Flathead River and is open for public use.
There are more than 300 miles of trails in the Great Bear Wilderness which makes it ideal for hiking and camping. You can travel on foot from ridge tops to gentle, expansive grassy meadows, to thick forested river bottoms. If you are an avid wildlife watcher, you can view wolverine, deer, elk, moose, grizzly bear, black bear, mountain goat, and mountain sheep. If fishing is what you fancy, the Flathead River and its tributaries are full of cutthroat trout, dolly varden, whitefish, and kokanee salmon. Part of the Middle Fork section of the Flathead River has been designated "wild" under the National Wild and Scenic River System. Contact any of many local outfitters, and plan to enjoy the adventure and excitement of the Class III-IV rapid on the Middle Fork. You'll have some calm stretches, too, when you can enjoy the magnificent scenery. A visit to the Great Bear Wilderness will supply you with enough adventures to tell tall tales to all your friends and family for days.
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