Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

🏕️ Big Prairie

Big Prairie stands as one of the most remote and rewarding destinations in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. This historic work center sits along the South Fork Flathead River, nearly 30 miles deep into the wilderness—making it one of the most isolated ranger stations in the lower 48 states. The journey itself is an adventure, typically requiring two full days of hiking with a loaded pack, but the reward is worth every step.

What Makes It Special

The Big Prairie area offers a rare combination of stunning mountain scenery, excellent fishing opportunities, and a sense of true remoteness that's increasingly hard to find. The historic Big Prairie Work Center, originally built as a ranger station, serves as a fascinating glimpse into wilderness management history. The expansive meadows provide excellent camping spots with views of the surrounding peaks, and the South Fork Flathead River offers some of the finest native cutthroat trout fishing in Montana.

Activities & Attractions

• Backpacking: Multi-day treks with spectacular scenery throughout
• Fishing: World-class fly fishing for native Westslope cutthroat in the South Fork
• Swimming: Cold but refreshing swimming holes in the river during summer
• Wildlife Viewing: Excellent opportunities to see elk, deer, moose, and sometimes grizzly bears
• Photography: Stunning mountain vistas and wildflower meadows

Access & Logistics

Most visitors access Big Prairie via the Benchmark Trailhead, located about 30 miles southwest of Augusta, Montana on a dirt road. From the trailhead, it's approximately 30 miles to Big Prairie. Alternative access points include Holland Lake on the west side, though this route is even longer. Pack trips with horses are popular for those wanting to reach the area with less physical exertion and more gear comfort.

Best Time to Visit: July through September offers the most reliable weather, though July can still have lingering snowpack at higher elevations. August and early September typically provide the best conditions with warm days, cool nights, and stable weather patterns.

⛰️ The Chinese Wall

The Chinese Wall is arguably the most iconic and photographed feature in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. This massive limestone escarpment stretches for 12 miles along the Continental Divide, rising 1,000 feet straight up from the surrounding terrain like an ancient fortress. It's a geological anomaly that draws hikers and backpackers from around the world, and seeing it in person is a bucket-list experience for wilderness enthusiasts.

The Spectacle

This natural wonder consists of a sheer cliff of limestone that runs north to south directly along the Continental Divide. The wall appears to rise out of nowhere, dominating the landscape with its imposing presence. The formation is best viewed from the west side, where hikers on the Continental Divide Trail get their first jaw-dropping glimpse after miles of gradual approach through dense forest and alpine meadows.

What makes the Chinese Wall truly special is the opportunity to experience it from multiple perspectives. Most hikers first see it from below while hiking the Continental Divide Trail, then many adventurous souls scramble to the top for panoramic views that stretch for hundreds of miles in every direction. Standing atop the wall on a clear day, you can see seemingly endless wilderness in all directions—a perspective that truly drives home the scale of the Bob Marshall Complex.

Trail Information

The most popular route is the Chinese Wall Loop, which covers approximately 53-60 miles with over 7,800 feet of elevation gain. This challenging trek typically takes 5-8 days to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend exploring. The Benchmark Trailhead, located southwest of Augusta, is the primary starting point for most Chinese Wall adventures.

• Distance to Chinese Wall: 21 miles from Benchmark Trailhead
• Total Loop Distance: 53-60 miles
• Elevation Gain: 7,800+ feet
• Recommended Duration: 5-8 days
• Trail Condition: Well-maintained CDT section, off-trail scrambling to top

Planning Your Visit

The Chinese Wall is accessible from mid-July through September, with August typically offering the most stable weather. Snow can linger on higher passes well into July. Strong navigation skills are essential, as portions of the route—especially if you plan to summit the wall—require off-trail travel. Water sources are generally abundant along the trail, but always treat or filter before drinking.

Photography Note: The best light for photographing the Chinese Wall is typically in the early morning or late afternoon when the angled sunlight emphasizes the wall's dramatic relief. Plan your camping spots accordingly if photography is a priority.

🎣 South Fork Flathead River Fishing

The South Fork of the Flathead River is legendary in fly fishing circles as Montana's premiere wilderness river and the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. This pristine river begins deep in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and flows for over 40 miles through some of the most remote and beautiful country in Montana before reaching Hungry Horse Reservoir. What makes it truly special is not just the quality of fishing, but the wilderness setting and the purity of the native trout population.

The Fishery

The South Fork is home to the largest genetically pure native Westslope cutthroat trout population in Montana—a distinction that speaks volumes about the pristine nature of this watershed. All fish in the river are wild, as the South Fork has never been stocked with hatchery fish. The result is a healthy, self-sustaining population of native trout that have evolved in these waters for thousands of years.

While the star of the show is the Westslope cutthroat, the South Fork also supports an impressive array of other species. Bull trout, Montana's state fish, thrive in these cold, clean waters, with specimens frequently exceeding 20 inches and trophy fish up to 30 inches possible. The river is also home to arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, and various native sculpins and minnows—a complete native fish community that's increasingly rare in the modern West.

Fishing Experience

Fishing the South Fork is as much about the experience as it is about the catch. The river offers classic dry-fly action throughout the summer months, with eager cutthroat rising to well-presented patterns. The fish aren't huge by trophy standards—most cutthroat range from 10-16 inches—but they're beautiful, willing, and fight with the spirit that native trout are known for.

• Season: Third Saturday in May through November 30
• Primary Species: Westslope cutthroat trout (wild, genetically pure)
• Trophy Species: Bull trout (20-30 inches possible)
• Other Species: Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish
• Techniques: Dry flies, nymphs, streamers
• License Required: Montana fishing license with required stamps

Access & Trip Planning

Accessing the South Fork requires serious commitment. The only way to fish the upper river is via a multi-day backpacking or pack trip into the wilderness. Most anglers either hike in (typically 2-3 days to reach prime fishing water) or book a guided horseback trip with one of several experienced outfitters who specialize in South Fork fishing adventures.

A typical South Fork fishing trip involves a two-day, 25-mile horseback ride (or hike) to reach base camp along the river. From there, you can fish different sections while outfitters handle camp setup, meals, and logistics. For the DIY backpacker-angler, plan on carrying fly fishing gear in addition to full backpacking equipment, which requires careful packing and weight management.

Best Time: Late June through September offers the best combination of weather, access, and fishing. July and August provide the most reliable dry-fly fishing, while September can offer excellent streamer fishing for bull trout as they begin their fall migration.

🌾 Danaher Meadows

Danaher Meadows represents one of the most peaceful and historically rich destinations in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Sitting on the edge of the expansive Danaher Valley where the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas meet, this area offers a gentler wilderness experience compared to some of the more rugged destinations in the complex. The wide-open meadows, meandering creek, and rich history make it a favorite destination for those seeking a combination of natural beauty and a connection to Montana's pioneering past.

History & Setting

The Danaher Valley has a fascinating history that predates the wilderness designation. In 1898, two 160-acre homesteads were established in the area by Thomas Danaher and A. P. McCrea—hardy pioneers who chose to settle in what was even then remarkably remote country. The historic Danaher Cabin still stands as a patrol cabin, serving as both a functional wilderness structure and a tangible connection to the area's homesteading past.

As you explore the meadows, you'll find remnants of this early settlement history: old farm equipment slowly being reclaimed by nature, sections of an historic phone line that once connected the remote cabin to the outside world, and the well-maintained patrol cabin itself. These artifacts tell the story of a time when people carved out a living in this isolated valley, long before it became protected wilderness.

The Meadows & Valley

Danaher Meadows and the surrounding valley offer some of the most spectacular open country in the Bob Marshall Complex. Unlike the dense forests and steep mountains that characterize much of the wilderness, the Danaher Valley features expansive meadows that provide long views and a sense of space. During June and early July, the meadows explode with wildflowers, creating a stunning display of color that draws visitors specifically for the floral spectacle.

Danaher Creek meanders through the valley, providing excellent fishing opportunities and vital habitat for wildlife. The creek and its tributaries offer good fishing for cutthroat trout, and the open meadows create ideal habitat for elk, deer, and moose. The valley serves as a major wildlife corridor, and it's not uncommon to see large herds of elk, especially during early morning and evening hours.

Activities & Attractions

• Hiking: Well-maintained Trail 126 runs through the valley, offering easy walking
• Wildflower Viewing: Peak bloom in June and early July
• Fishing: Danaher Creek and tributaries for cutthroat trout
• Camping: Numerous established sites along the creek with scenic views
• Photography: Stunning landscapes, especially during wildflower season
• Wildlife Viewing: Elk, deer, moose, and occasionally grizzly bears
• Historical Exploration: Danaher Cabin and homestead remnants

Access & Trail Information

Danaher Meadows can be accessed from several trailheads, but the most popular approach is via the North Fork Trail from the Benchmark area. Trail 126 is a well-traveled thoroughfare that runs north to south, connecting Big Prairie in the north to the Flathead Divide in the south, with Danaher Cabin at the southern end. From Basin Creek, the trail is notably wide and flat as it follows Danaher Creek, making it one of the more pleasant walking trails in the complex.

The relatively gentle terrain makes this an excellent choice for those new to wilderness backpacking, families with older children, or anyone seeking a less strenuous wilderness experience. Several outfitters offer guided horseback trips to the Danaher Valley, particularly during peak wildflower season, which allows visitors to experience the area without the physical demands of backpacking with a heavy pack.

Trip Planning: A typical backpacking trip to Danaher Meadows can be accomplished in 2-4 days, depending on your starting point and how much time you want to spend exploring the valley. The area serves as an excellent base camp for day hikes to nearby peaks and passes, or for anglers wanting to fish multiple sections of Danaher Creek and its tributaries.