Alpine Lake Float and Hike: Southern Bitterroot Mountains

Cross crystal-clear snowmelt streams and pick wild huckleberries along the way

An out-and-back day hike and packraft float in the Southern Bitterroot Mountains with a wilderness-certified guide. You'll climb 1,000+ feet through a canyon carved by glaciers, identify local plants and animals along the way, and float an alpine lake in inflatable packrafts while your guide brews fresh tea or coffee. Packrafts, backpacks, trekking poles, bear spray and snacks are included. The hike runs 6 to 8 miles with significant elevation gain, and the whole outing takes around 6 hours. This combination, hike then float, is unique to this guide service.

The experience

Six to eight miles of climbing through the Bitterroot National Forest, with elevation gain over 1,000 feet, gets you to an alpine lake that most hikers never reach. The trails aren't always maintained, and seasonal creeks cross the route, which is exactly why a guide makes the difference. Your guide carries bear spray, a first aid kit, a GPS communicator and a water filter, and knows the canyon's natural history: the glacial carving, the plants that grow here, the animals you might spot. Along the way you'll pick huckleberries if you're there between mid-July and September.

Once you reach the lake, you trade boots for packrafts. Each adult or youth gets one inflatable packraft setup with paddle and life vest. The guide carries two more, so the group stays small (up to four rafts per trip, limited by the Forest Service permit). You'll float while your guide makes fresh tea or coffee from filtered snowmelt, and the whole thing leaves no trace: gear packed out the way it came in. The snack bag holds beef jerky, vegan jerky, trail mix, dried fruit and protein bars to fuel the climb and the paddle.

Choose the small group tour if you're comfortable sharing the experience with 5 to 8 other hikers. Book a private tour if you want the guide to carry your gear and set the pace for just your group. Either way, you'll need moderate fitness and general good health: anyone in that shape can finish the day. Service animals are welcome, and children from age 1 can come along (though the 6-to-8-mile hike and water crossings mean older kids get more out of it).

What’s included

• Packraft rentals with paddle and life vest.
• backpacks and trekking poles.
• bear spray and safety equipment.
• filtered water from snowmelt.
• fresh tea or coffee made by the guide at the lake.
• trail snacks including beef jerky, vegan jerky, trail mix, dried fruit and protein bars.
• local plant and animal identification.
• wilderness first responder and leave-no-trace certified guide.
• GPS communicator and first aid kit carried by the guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour for a small group (5 to 8 people)Guide in English · Available from 4 Jun 2027Hike along with a cheerful group!

Private tour 2026, customized to youGuide in English · Available from 1 Jun 2027A tour planned to suit you, lasting 4 to 8 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Bitterroot Backpacking

Is this one for you?The small group option works best if you're comfortable hiking with others and want to share the cost. Book private if you prefer a guide who carries your gear and sets the pace just for your group. Either way, you need moderate fitness for the elevation gain and water crossings: anyone in general good health can finish, but the 6-to-8-mile climb and alpine float aren't a casual stroll.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the hike like in the Southern Bitterroot Mountains?

The hike climbs a glacially carved canyon with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain across 6 to 8 miles. The trails aren't always maintained, and seasonal creeks cross the route, so a guide helps you navigate water crossings and rough sections. Your guide identifies plants and animals along the way and talks about the natural history of the range.

Do I need to bring my own packraft or hiking gear?

Packrafts, backpacks, trekking poles and bear spray are all included in the price. The guide carries a water filter, first aid kit and GPS communicator. You'll need to bring hiking shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, sunscreen and a raincoat just in case.

How many people go on each trip?

Small group tours run with 5 to 8 people. Private tours are available if you want to book just for your group. On a private tour, the guide carries your gear, which changes how the day flows.

What happens at the alpine lake?

You float the lake in inflatable packrafts while your guide brews fresh tea or coffee from filtered snowmelt. The float is the reward after the climb, and the guide makes sure everything is packed out the way it came in: no trace left behind.

When can I pick huckleberries on this hike?

Huckleberries are available mid-July through September. If you're hiking during that window, your guide will show you where they grow and you can pick along the way.