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Are you looking for a map
series that you can use to plan your float on Montana's Smith River?
We can provide you a seamless map - on CD-ROM - that depicts a digital
version of the well-known and accurate USGS paper maps. These
maps are often used as reference maps for field or office work and define a
specific piece of geography. The map show contours, cities,
vegetation, lakes, rivers, trails, roads, railroads and other spatial
features. The Smith River attracts many floaters each year;
Outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, fisher folks and researches alike.
The cost is $$18.95
How were these maps made?
The Smith River is one of the most well known
rivers in the United States in large part because of the unique experience
it offers. It is also one of Montana's premier backcountry boating
experiences. Named in 1805 during the almost-famous Lewis and Clark
Expedition for Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith, the river has long been
known by anglers for its outstanding trout fishing. For much of its course, the Smith winds
its way through the Big
Belt Mountains in central Montana and slowly carves a deeper and deeper
impression into the limestone canyon on its
sinuous journey to the Missouri River. From Camp Baker, the
upper public access point to the canyon, the Smith carries rafters and
paddlers through a deep, rock-walled passage with great fishing,
floating, and boat camping.
Float trips on Montana’s famed Smith River have a
reputation as one of Montana’s best adventures. Floating is the only way for
the general public to reach the remote and beautiful Smith River canyon.
Many years ago, floating pressure increased due to the awes of this region.
Early on, floaters were leaving trash and human waste, trespassing
on private land, and crowding the most scenic campsites. In 1988, the
Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission helped create a management plan with goals
to protect this beautiful river. Their help along with many others
resulted in the passing of the Smith River Management Act in 1989.
Ultimately, the agency started to charge a small fee and limit both the
number of people on the river and the size of 'floater groups' . Recognizing the quality of the Smith River and the floating experience it
provided, the Montana Fish and Game Commission (now recognized as FWP)
designated the reach from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge in 1972 as a recreational waterway, prohibiting motors. Even
with the limited (controlled) number of people on this beautiful river,
there are still other potential problems facing this waterway. The Billings
Gazette reported disputes over water in the Smith River basin came to a head
last fall when Montana Trout Unlimited, 11 area landowners and three
outfitters filed a lawsuit against DNRC to block the state from processing
15 water rights permits - including the Galts and 6666 Ranch.
The river flows through 58 miles of nearly roadless
wilderness and is considered a world-class blue ribbon trout stream. It is only
accessible by special permit. Many people flock to this region of the
country because of the rich water resources, rock canyons, varied topography
and lush river bottom riparian habitat. Caves,
cut into the rock both at ground level and high on the cliffs above, offer
challenging climbing activities (partly with rope assists). Dense conifer
forests of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine meet the riverbank in places where
the cliffs temporarily give way to a more gradually inclined meadow. As stated by Gretel Ehrlich,
"To trace the history of a
river or a raindrop . . . is also to trace the history of the soul, the
history of the mind descending and arising in the body. In both, we
constantly seek and stumble upon divinity, which like feeding the river, and
the spring becoming a waterfall, feeds, spills, falls, and feeds itself all
over again."
It was Henry David Thoreau who stated "Rivers must
have been the guides which conducted the footsteps of the first travelers.
They are the constant lure, when they flow by our doors, to distant
enterprise and adventure, and, by a natural impulse, the dwellers on their
banks will at length accompany their currents to the lowlands of the globe,
or explore at their invitation the interior of continents."
For visitors from all over Montana and across
the country lucky enough to draw float permits, the Smith River
float, holds a pristine adventure. Smith River is an excellent river for both
brown trout and rainbow trout. It is recommended you carry all your own food and water,
safety and camping equipment and fishing license. The river begins its
121-mile journey near the town of White Sulphur Springs where the
North and South forks of the Smith merge. You can get supplies, overnight
accommodations, gasoline, water and information at White Sulphur Springs on
your way to the put-in. Catch a dip in the local hot springs if you have
time. You should fill your vehicles up with gas while in
White Sulphur Springs so your arranged shuttle / driver does not run out of
fuel. During the float, most folks stop at a
different, picturesque campsite (previously reserved) each night. Some sites
have a toilet placed outdoors over a deeply dug hole, discreetly concealed
from the campsite and river by thick vegetation or rocks. It is
advisable to bring all the drinking water you will need for the
entire trip, as there is no drinking water available at Camp Baker.
There are no public services from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge. There are no
trash dumpsters at Camp Baker, but one has been available at the Eden Bridge
takeout along with an aluminum-recycling center.
While the Smith River does hold
some large fish, some even trophy size. For the most part, the Smith
River hold lots of trout between 13-16 inches. If you plan to fish, obtain
the right fly fishing gear for your needs. According the Montana Fish
Wildlife and Parks, the following species are present in the Smith River:
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Burbot, Fathead Minnow, Flathead Chub, Longnose
Dace, Longnose Sucker, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, Mountain Whitefish,
Rainbow Trout, Stonecat, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, Common Carp.
After leaving the Camp Baker put-in, many people have the realization they
have left the busy world and have entered a calm, and often peaceful place.
The lack of other people, the absents of news, television or contact with
the busy world is an amazing experience. No trip through cyberspace can
begin to communicate the thrill of actually floating on the Smith River.
Other than an occasional summer home or dude ranch, the Smith River Canyon
is undeveloped and inhabited primarily by wildlife. It’s an area of
incredible beauty. Wild flowers abound along the entire length of the river,
including Euphorbia and purple loosetrife.
Senator
Frank Church from Idaho once stated: "The affluent society has built well
in terms of economic progress, but has neglected the protection of the very
water we drink as well as the values of fish and wildlife, scenic, and
outdoor recreation resources. Although often measureless in commercial
terms, these values must be preserved by a program that will guarantee
America some semblance of her great heritage of beautiful rivers."
Place Order
The cost is $18.95.
Note: If you wish, download the free
computer program for viewing the maps. A Hyperlink is provided on the
CD-ROM to facilitate the download of the free viewer
. Options exist for both Windows and Apple / Macintosh systems.
For Windows 95, 98, NT 4, 2000, XP,
XP Pro
For Macintosh OS 9.x (latest version available)
Other Macintosh OS X Plug-ins
"Thanks for the map guys, it is
great. I printed some maps on waterproof paper and they are perfect."
Ted S.- Bozman, MT
"Downloading the free viewer was
easy. Its a great application to view the maps you sent. We
hiked in the Crazy Mountains and the maps let us plan our trip! thank you.
Julie B. - Madison Wisconsin
"The price is right and so are the
maps... less than what I paid for some lingerie for my wife. The maps
are actually more sexy." Cal T. St Cloud Minnesota.
"Thanks for sending the CD-ROM so
fast - The quad maps are wonderful. Its nice to see the entire
area without any map seams. Its good
to know there are trusting folks like you. Thanks!" Cally S. Chicago, IL
"You guys are quick. Thanks
for the fast turn-around. Its nice to view this area as a seamless map
as opposed to looking at a bunch of paper Topographic maps on the
table. Thank you mucho!" Kim T. Boston,
MA
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Smith
River (Montana, USA) on CD-ROM |
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