Big Creek River Access

Big Creek, on the North Fork of the Flathead, at river mile 15.3.

Upstream from here is Coal Creek. Downstream is Great Northern Flats.

Drive 10.4 miles north from the intersection of the Blankenship and North Fork Roads. Turn right on River Access Road at the Big Creek Campground. Access is straight a ahead.

The parking area is packed crushed stone.

There is no designated accessible parking.

The route from the parking area to the river averages 2.9 percent grade, steepening to 15.3 percent at its steepest point.

Cross slope, the sideways tilt that matters most in a wheelchair, averages 1.2 percent, with a maximum of 2.7 percent.

The path averages 6 feet wide, narrowing to 6 feet at its tightest.

Underfoot it is 96.4 percent firm, and 3.4 percent soft.

You drop about 13.9 feet on the way down to the water.

The launch itself is vehicle accessible ramp packed dirt ramp, cobble bar.

What to watch for, in the survey crew's own words:

Embedded stones in the ramp surface and large, rounded cobbles at water level can make footing a challenge.

Facilities: Vault toilet, potable water, paid campsites with fire ring and picnic table, bear-resistant food storage locker.

Conditions on the Three Forks change quickly. Check the gauge the morning you float.