Missouri Breaks has people who call and want to make a trip-usually the White Cliffs trip-but want to share a ride in order to economize. This page is an attempt to bring people together who might want to do just that, share a ride and benefit from the cost savings. A major problem in planning and executing any of these trips is the remoteness of the locations; when you get to Coal Banks Landing you will find it a busy spot in the summer with all sorts of people camping and preparing to set off down river. And that's it. You are 75 miles from Great Falls, 25 from Ft. Benton...15 or so from Big Sandy (pop. maybe 500). There are camping facilities, toilets, and a boat launch ramp. There are NO boat docks, convenience stores etc. So there's not going to be any walk-on traffic looking for a day on the river. And that's how all of the access points on the river are; remote. That's a large part of the allure of Upper Missouri, but it also presents lots of problems.
So we added a ShareRide page for people, often a twosome but not always, there are single riders as well, looking for others to share the trip and lower the cost. We began doing this in '99 and have had varying match-up success, as you might suspect. Some years the match-up rate was as high as 70%, others as low as 25-30%. There is no way we can guess or foretell or predict whether you will find some kindred souls to travel with! That's part of the adventure.
Interestingly, when we began adding a brief description of the initial people listing like..."an older couple from Timbuktu, interested in birds, history, whatnot want to ShareRide on such and such a date; the gentleman is an ornithologist, the lady works for the British Museum (or whatever it may be)" it attracted similiar people and these ShareRides were more successful in finding matches. Different people would call up and say, "Oh, my wife (or husband) is, again, whatever it may be, and we think that would be fun". And it was. So, call and make your listing. And prepare to meet your fellow traveler(s).
There is one caution however! Once you are selected for a match all parties will be notified and must pay their share of the fare up front i.e. upon notification. Then, there will be a 30 day cancellation time frame. If you cancel 30 days prior to the reserved departure time and date you get your money back. (As does the other party involved unless they want to try and rebook.) But if you don't cancel 30 days prior there will be no refund. The boat is leaving; the money stays with the trip enabling the other party to go on the trip they planned and paid for. That's the only way this will work. If you want to be listed for a ShareRide call (406) 453-3035 with the who, when and where, no emails please. We'll list you and see if we can get a match and you can ShareRide. We have arranged them in chronological order for your convenience.
Our 2010 season listings in chronological order:
A couple from the UK is interested in a sharing a White Cliffs Cruise. They would like to make the river trip portion of the Cruise July 29th so with the Cruise package you will be staying the prior night, the 28th, at the Merc as well. This package includes all amenities of our White Cliff Cruise--two nights at the Merc, arrival refreshments, breakfasts, dinner, lunch and the boat trip (see our 'Possible Trips' page) and is available for $550 to each traveler. Please give us a call, 406.453.3035 and arrange reservations. UPDATE June 13: This trip has been joined by a couple from Santa Rosa, CA, and is full. Please check our other ShareRide offers.
A couple is making a White Cliffs Cruise Aug 17. They are are looking for another couple or two singles to complete the passenger list. The cost to each passenger would be $550 and includes two nights lodging with all Cruise amenities at the Virgelle Mercantile, an upscale B & B located in the river bottom near the launch site, as well as the 47 mile river trip thru the White Cliffs. Please see our web page 'Possible Trips' for other details of this Cruise or give us a call at 406.453.3035
Two people from Quebec are making a White Cliffs Trip September 22. This is a downstream, then back up at running speed 60 mile round trip from Coal Banks all the way thru the Cliffs area then return to Coal Banks. They are very interested in photography and would be willing to share the trip with one or two other riders.