Alberton Gorge—known by some locals as the Scenic Gorge—is renowned for its whitewater rafting. This 11-mile stretch of the Clark Fork River boasts class III and class IV rapids, attracting an estimated 30,000 adventure seekers each year. Some of the more infamous rapids on the river are named Tumbleweed, Boat Flipper, Boateater, and Fang.

River rafters can see evidence of Glacial Lake Missoula in the striations on the gorge walls. When a prehistoric ice dam broke thousands of years ago, it sent water flowing through this canyon at nearly 60 miles an hour. The force ripped up bedrock and gouged holes in the riverbed, perhaps as much as 80 feet deep. Despite its proximity to civilization, the gorge retains much of its primitive beauty. Osprey and eagles soar over the canyon while otters and fish enjoy the water below. Deer, elk, and black bear make ready use of riverside beaches.

While building a military road in 1860, Captain John Mullan arrived at Alberton Gorge and puzzled over how to continue construction. His solution was to make a “Big Side Cut” and blast into the mountainside above the gorge’s purple cliffs. One man lost an eye during the dangerous work. The location of the blasting is just above the distinctive Three Bridges, which span the Clark Fork over the gorge.

The small towns of Cyr, Rivulet, and Tarkio can also be seen along the river’s edge: the small hamlets once served miners and railroad workers in this remote area. In 1928, the Montana Highway Commission dedicated the “Scenic Bridge” over Alberton Gorge; it was one of the few deck truss bridges ever built in Montana, meant to provide unobstructed views of the gorge and surrounding country.

In 2005, after more than a decade of combined conservation efforts, Alberton Gorge became a protected public recreation space. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks maintains the corridor. Numerous outfitters offer guided trips down the river.

Credits and Sources:

Hahn, Margie. Montana’s Mineral County in Retrospect. Stevensville, MT: Stoneydale Press Publishing Company, 1997.

Historical Research Associates. Historic Resources of Alberton, Montana, National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form, August 1986, updated by Allan Mathews and Michael Koop, January 1996.

The Montana Historical Society of Mineral County, 118 Years of History. Superior, MT: Mineral County Historical Society, 1974.

Historic photographs of “General View of Alberton, Montana, ca. 1914” and “Street scene, looking east, Alberton, Montana, ca. 1914” courtesy of Mineral County Historical Museum, Superior, MT.

Historic photographs of “Milwaukee electric locomotive E74, Alberton” courtesy of the Philip C. Johnson Photograph Collection; Mss 455. Photo Number 92.3588. Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana, Missoula.

Contemporary photographs of the Alberton Depot are courtesy of Historical Research Associates, Inc.