On the North Fork . . . .

Kalua

We have now been up here on the North Fork (the North Fork of the Flathead River) for the past week, with our first days with our son Chris and Deb and the girls (Christal, Jamie and Julianne) at their cabin up on the Canadian border.

For those unfamiliar with this beautiful area, the North Fork is the only remaining true wilderness area in the lower-48. It is a river area with Glacier National Park on the east side of it, and private land on the west side of the river. The road leading up the North Fork starts coming north out of

Marilyn along the

North Fork by Chris' cabin

Columbia Falls, Montana, and for the first 12 miles it is a two-lane paved road; then it goes to graded gravel (dirt) for the next 50+ miles to the Canadian border. The border crossing (Trail Creek Port of Entry) is no longer open, although the shuttered log buildings on both sides of the border remain; and the simple gate is locked. This crossing was closed down in 1996, and although the Border Patrol still frequents it off and on for a day or two about every couple of weeks or so, depending on their “news” and patrol requirements, it is quiet and there is no one around.

Polebridge, Montana

On the way north, at about 35 miles out of Columbia Falls, is the small place-on-the-map (well, some maps anyhow), called Polebridge. It consists mainly of the Polebridge Mercantile and the Northern Lights Saloon, along with a hand full of cabins. The 'Merc' is over one hundred years old and is on the National Registry of Historic Places; and it is known up and down the North Fork as THE place to buy fresh bakery goodies (and yes, they are mighty good, having 'tested' them many times now). Most people who are willing to venture the North Fork road, make a stop at Polebridge and then head back south. For us, we have another 21 miles or so to go north to get us to our destination on the Canadian border.

"Moose City" at the Canadian border

The immediate area (on the American side) is known as “Moose City”. This is a large area of about half a dozen cabins spread out over a wide area, and it encompasses a grassed (turf) airstrip for small plane use. There were five planes in on Friday for their annual “Moose City Gathering”. This is an annual event that this group conducts once every year on a mid-July weekend. The planes are mostly single-engine Piper’s and Cessna’s. There is one there that is a larger, red and black turbo-prop that is a first-class method to travel.(but not the one shown below. That is a Piper)

Chris, Deb and Family, Cabin at 'Moose City'

Chris' cabin is located in this area, along the river. He has completely remodeled and refurbished his cabin over the past several years and although he will not bend to having satellite TV, he does have a TV for DVD movies; there is no electricity in the North Fork, so he uses a combination of deep-cycle batteries, a couple of inverters, solar panels and a small generator for back-up; he put a new water well in last year (although the old one still works and supplies good water, it was only 5 feet deep, so be set a new one in at a whopping 30 feet depth. The water is drawn up to a 100-gallon storage/holding tank by a gas-operated pump. He uses a demand pump (similar to an RV water pump) to bring the water to the cabin from this holding tank. Showers are accomplished by a fully enclosed (portable type by Cabela’s) shower, and it has hot water too. Indoor cooking is done on a propane gas range, but most cooking is done on one of several ‘barbies’ outside by the deck. There is also a new, unique large wooden spa that is heated by firewood. It is really a neat installation and so inviting too.

There is great fishing all along the North Fork, with a good number of various trout (bull, brows, rainbows) as well as whitefish taken. Most are in a 10” to 22” size. They are all native, as there are no fish plants in Montana. The makings for some great fish dinners were had.

Jim and Marilyn at Chris and Deb's cabin

We really enjoyed the exploring with the use of the Ranger and Mule UTV’s, which is great for exploring and sightseeing.

And of course there are always plenty of good eats and treats to be had. The rafting was superb as usual with an enjoyable four-hour run down the river to a point for easy retrieval of people and equipment.

The weather has been nigh-on to perfect for us and that has made our stay all the better.

On Sunday, July 18th we moved ourselves back down the North Fork about six miles to our daughter Lynell’s cabin located along Tepee Lake. More on that in a few days...
Plane on takeoff from Moose City (same shot - close up)