Polebridge River Access (Downstream)

Polebridge River Access (Downstream), on the North Fork of the Flathead, at river mile 33.8.

Upstream from here is Polebridge River Access (Upstream). Downstream is Coal Creek.

Drive 25.8 miles north from the intersection of the Blankenship and North Fork Roads. Turn right on Polebridge then left on Glacier 0.5 miles, turn right to access boat ramp.

The parking area is packed dirt, road shoulder.

There is no designated accessible parking.

The route from the parking area to the river averages 3.9 percent grade, steepening to 19.8 percent at its steepest point.

Cross slope, the sideways tilt that matters most in a wheelchair, averages 2.4 percent, with a maximum of 6.6 percent.

The path averages 14.2 feet wide, narrowing to 14.2 feet at its tightest.

Underfoot it is 89.9 percent firm, and 10.1 percent hard.

You drop about 8.4 feet on the way down to the water.

The launch itself is vehicle accessible ramp packed dirt ramp.

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

Embedded stones in the ramp with up to 6in of relief above ramp surface.

Steep slope down to turnaround loop from road.

There are no facilities at this site.

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