June 19, 2010

Guides and free rafts available for volunteers to pick trash along two forks of the Flathead River, followed by volleyball and barbecue.

The Montana Raft Co./Glacier Guides has been hosting "Rafting For Refuse", the annual River Clean Up, since 1997. Every year on the 3rd Saturday of June, volunteers clean up trash at the public river access points and along the river corridor on the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River.

Montana Raft Co/Glacier Guides provides all of the necessary rafting equipment, expert guides and staff to coordinate the day. Volunteers meet at 9:30 am at the Montana Raft Co./Glacier Guides office located on US Hwy. 2, 1.5 miles west of West Glacier. After gearing up, you'll be divided into smaller groups and shuttled to various river access points. You will pluck trash from the river access put-ins, then float the river, stopping to pick up refuse. It's a short shuttle back to the Montana Raft office for volleyball and a complimentary barbecue. The BBQ begins around 2 pm. ! It's recommended that volunteers bring work gloves and a water bottle. To join as a volunteer (ages 12 and up), please contact the Montana Raft Co./Glacier Guides at 387-5555 or email info@glacierguides.com.

Montana Raft Co./Glacier Guides, Inc. promotes a strong environmental message, with an emphasis on Leave No Trace ethics and energy conservation. During the river clean-up, your guides will provide information and insight into issues facing our river system and national park. Exposure and participation in the River Clean Up is even more important in light of growing river use, development pressure, and the expansion of mining at the headwaters of the Flathead River. This event is a great way to have fun while making a difference.

No fee

12 and older

Outdoor Activity

The starting place for this event is the headquarters of Montana Rafting Co./Glacier Guides, which is 1.5 miles west of the west entrance to Glacier National Park along Highway 2.

Driving east on Hwy. 2 from Columbia Falls, turn left at mile marker 151, a half-mile past the KOA campground. Look for the blue raft and the GLACIER GUIDES/MONTANA RAFT sign..

If you're driving west on Hwy 2, go 1.5 miles west of West Glacier on US-2. Turn right at the Blue raft and GLACIER GUIDE / MONTANA RAFT sign.