Has anyone ever gone to FlatHead Lake in Montana?

[Tony E]

Hello everyone. Last year I asked everyone if they have ever been to the Shuswaps in B.C. Canada and I got a lot of good information and feedback and it made my trip that much better. Now I am going to do the same but for next summer we are thinking of going to Flathead lake in Montana. I googled some pictures and the water looks crystal clear. We also want to just do a trip south of the border into the USA so I heard of this place. Thanx for your help.

[Russ]

Never sailed flathead, although my neighbors have cabin there.

It's a about 5 hours from us and we want to go there. Clear clear water.

But mountain lakes bring some crazy weather. Another forum member got caught in a t storm and washed up on an island doing damage to his boat.

[Spector]

We have been there without the boat and driven around the lake. Big sailing community there. We had a trip planned with the Mac this past June but had to cancel it due to an illness in the family. We do plan on getting there next year.

Dayton Yacht Harbor (Buck) was going to be our base. They have a ramp, parking and some slips for rent. We were going to rent a slip for the time we were there just in case we needed a safe place to run back to. Availability of slips may be limited in the peak season

Maybe its time for a Mac rendezvous in Montana

[budgates]

Flathead Lake is one of the spots we're considering for retirement. We're planning to visit there in July or August of 2015. We'll probably be taking our 5th wheel so we won't have the boat with us.

[Tony E]

Wow budgates if you are planing or retiring there it must be pretty nice. I have seen pictures and it looks absolutely beautiful. thanx

[Y.B.Normal]

My wife and I had a chance to race on Flathead Lake on a Hobie 30' monohull in 1985. It's a very nice lake to sail on, but you do have to watch the wind and fog forecast.
There's an active sailing club in the northwest corner of the lake. I don't remember the name of the club.

[Phil M]

Would driving to Flathead Lake on highway #2 from the east involve extreme mountain terrain? It sure looks that way on a topographical map, since Glacier National Park is in the area. How big is the diesel on your semi?

[March]

How's the crop of dental floss in Montana these days?

[Tony E]

Sorry but your going to have to explain that one a little to me???

[Daniel]

Phil, the drive to Flathead lake is very managable on Highway 2. We have driven it many times. Not with our , but w/ other trailers. Marias Pass, 5213 ft/1589 m, is the only one crossing the Continental Divide on hyway 2. It is 2 lane and winding, but a very relaxed drive.

[cappyg]

Greetings fellow sailors. I lived in Kalispell for two years and still to this day don't know why I moved away. The lifestyle is very laid back and people are very friendly. The lake is north to south and the breeze is usually west to east which makes is a very nice lake to sail. Several famous people live there as it is a very well kept secret.

[Tony E]

Do tell Cappyg. Who may some of the famous people be? When we went to the Shuswaps last summer in B.C. Canada I told my wife that John Travolta had a cabin there (not sure if he did or not ) but it made the trip that much more exciting.....ha! So far I am hearing that Flathead is a great place to go and spend a couple weeks at. Good easy highway to drive, a sail club on the lake and they are kind to tourists so I think next summer we are heading down there. Thanx for your help everyone. You make planning a trip fun:)

[bahama bound]

Man we just put that on our bucket list !

[Russ]

Do tell Cappyg. Who may some of the famous people be?

• David Letterman: Perhaps the most talked about of famous Montana residents, Letterman bought his ranch near Choteau 15 years ago and often mentions it on his late night TV show.

• Tom Brokaw: One of the most well-known newsmen of our time, the now retired Brokaw lives near Livingston where he raises cattle and bison.

• Jason Newsted: The former bass player for Metallica built a ranch near Bozeman a few years ago where he continues to record music with his band, Newsted.

• John Lithgow: Lithgow married a Montana gal and the two bought a cabin near Flathead Lake where they live year-round.

• Gerald Molen: Long before he won his Oscar for producing “Schindler’s List,” Molen was born in Great Falls and attended Whittier Elementary. Today, the producer lives in Bigfork.

• Peter Fonda: While many celebrities living in Montana have come here in recent years, Fonda moved to the Paradise Valley 40 years ago, just five years after appearing in “Easy Rider.”

• Jeff Bridges: The Dude is a neighbor of Fonda’s in Paradise Valley and has been a fan of Montana since his days filming “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” in Great Falls. Just like Fonda, Bridges has been here for four decades. Earlier this year, a petition was created to get Bridges to run for senator in Montana.

• Christopher Paolini: Another resident of Paradise Valley, Paolini began writing his “Inheritance Cycle” books as a teenager living in the valley. The books include “Eragon,” “Eldest,” “Brisingr” and “Inheritance.”

• Jeff Ament: The famed Pearl Jam founder was born in Havre and raised in Big Sandy. When he’s not touring, recording music or spending time at his other home in Seattle, he lives just outside of Missoula.

• Huey Lewis: There’s no word whether The News frequent the area but Lewis lives on a ranch near Stevensville and has called Montana home since his career was at its peak in the mid-’80s.

• Andrew Smith: Smith, along with his brother Alex, are filmmakers who have made “Slaughter Rule” and the recently released “Winter in the Blood.” Andrew Smith is an associate professor at the University of Montana.

• Phil Jackson: Few have been as successful at coaching basketball as Jackson, who has so many championship rings (11) that he has to use his foot to wear them all. Born in Deer Lodge, Jackson is a part-time resident on Flathead Lake.

• Michael Keaton: From “Batman” to “Beetlejuice,” Keaton is one of the more recognizable celebrities to hang his hat in Montana. Keaton, who is also an avid outdoorsman, has a sprawling ranch located in southern Montana.

• Kiefer Sutherland: The product of Hollywood pedigree, Sutherland is most known for his role as Jack Bauer on “24.” He has owned a ranch in southern Montana near Columbus for nearly 30 years. He named his production company Still Water Films after the river of the same name that runs through his property.

• Ted Turner: The media magnate created CNN and then brought us TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network and he owns nearly two million acres of Montana, meaning he has twice as many acres as there are people in the state. The famous Montana landowner has been active in conservation and the reintroduction of bison in the region.

John Mayer: Musician owns a home in paradise valley

Dennis Quaid: Actor owns a home outside of Big Timber

Glenn Close: Actress owns a coffee shop in Bozeman

We get a lot of celebs as they like the landscape and relative anonymity as people leave them alone. I've seen Johnny Depp working out at a local health club. It's not unusual to see celebs about.

So many people are moving here from cities that it has sparked this popular bumper sticker.

[Tony E]

Wow that's a lot of celebrities in one place! What about John Travolta??? ha! So if you were going to head to a main spot to load up with food and fuel and then launch the boat from there where would that be? Also if I schedule for say 5 days to 7 days on the lake is that enough time or not enough? Too much? Also as far as being on the lake where would you go to see what? I also looked at a map yesterday and noticed that there is a reservation around the south part of the lake. Does that mean anything special in the states as in no trespassing or private land? Thanx for your help:)