A few things to know about The North Fork Hostel & Inn

…that are good to know:

Check in between 5:30 PM and 9 PM

Make prior arrangements if you need a late check-in!

Check out before 10 AM

Please, leave room or cabin as you found it. Return pillowcases, etc. to hamper.

Electricity: We get our power from the sun but our system is fairly small. We encourage you to use the electric lights (especially until you get used to the  propane lights) and prefer it in the wash and shower room. Please, always turn all lights OFF after use. Charging power for your devices only works during the power hour. (check with Oliver, usually between 7 & 8 PM)

Shower hours: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 10 PM (Hot water not always available)  The shower has electric light, you find the switch to the left of the light fixtures above the sink.  Please conserve water: We are in a fragile environment: Low groundwater table & flood plains. So, limit your time and water use, be respectful to those after you and use squeegee after each use; Please keep shower door propped open so air can circulate. Shower for hostel guests only.

Kitchen hours: 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 10 PM (Please, respect quiet times) Always clean up after yourself and be respectful to others; There is a guest refrigerator for your use. Please mark and date all your food. If you leave foodstuff behind date and mark “free” so it can be safely shared with other guests. Wash all your dishes, wipe counter and stove top immediately after use! Use blue tubs. Wash, Rinse, Sanitize. Help conserve water and energy!

Please recycle: Aluminum cans in blue recycle bin. Glass bottles in card board box, there is no glass recycling but it makes life easier as we have to haul all garbage to Columbia Falls; Egg shells (they compost better if burned) and paper in paper bag. Because this is bear country please no cooked or processed FOOD scraps in compost pail – only coffee, tea and raw, uncooked matters (in doubt throw in trash or ask Oliver).

How to light propane lamps: Please familiarize yourself with them first and ask for assistance if in doubt: First light match (make sure you have a solid and big flame) hold it to the mantle (make sure only the flame, not the match, is touching the mantle) and turn gas on (lever/ knob on side of lamp) For your safety, do not turn gas on first and do not blow out! Oliver loves to show you how to light the lamps safely!

Sheets and Towels are normally not provided but are available (Ask for help) for a fee! Always use bedding or sleeping bags! Pillow cases (No charge) are next to the kitchen in the Hallway; Please return pillow cases and sheets to hamper after use. Hang towels to dry.

Toilets are Outhouses! You find them in backyard, there is also a urinal! Only toilet paper and human waste goes down the hole! Absolutely no plastic or hygiene products in pit please, they belong in the trash! Keep lid closed to keep smell down and remember: Changing toilet paper rolls does not cause brain damage!

quiet, inexpensive accommodation since 1979

Located in the North Fork Valley just west of Glacier National Park, the North Fork Hostel offers guests a choice of accommodations in an old-fashioned, old world atmosphere. It’s a place to get away, relax, meet new friends and enjoy the beauty of Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest.

Propane lights brighten your nights (there’s no electricity in Polebridge). Although the area is off the power grid, the hostel has a small solar system and allows recharging of  your devices during the power hour. A propane cooking range and refrigerators are available to make your food preparation easier after you have spent an exciting day exploring the area.

Visitors from all around the world enjoy our facilities. It is not uncommon to begin your day by having a fascinating conversation with travelers from other countries while enjoying your morning coffee.

All guests may use the amenities of the hostel. These include a living room, shower, and kitchen and refrigerator facilities. Bedding and Towels are normally not provided but can be rented for a fee.

Your friendly hostelmeister is Oliver. He has traveled the world extensively and understands hosteller’s needs. He is fluent in English, German. You can make reservations online, by email or give Oliver a call at the hostel.

All guests may use the amenities of the hostel. These include a living room, shower, and kitchen and refrigerator facilities.

Your friendly hostelmeister is Oliver. He has traveled the world extensively and understands hosteller’s needs. He is fluent in English, German and sometimes Italian and Spanish. you can make reservations online, by email or give Oliver a call at the hostel.

the Goat Chalet

It is called the goat chalet because, as the story goes, John used to house a couple of goats in there at one point, but today it is my most favored rental cabin at the hostel.

inside the goat

It has a queen size bed, a potbelly stove for heat and a small table with two chairs.

Square Peg Ranch North Cabin

(27′ x 21′) completed in 1955

The North Cabin offers full kitchen facilities and a fireplace. The master bedroom downstairs has a queen size bed and there are two full size beds in the loft upstairs. Only available May trough September.
Occupancy up to 6 people, $100 + 7% tax ( for 4 people) a weeknight, add $20 for Friday and Saturday nights, $20 for each additional person and 3 nights minimum rental required! Pets are allowed for an additional fee.

one master bedroom (9’x 10′) with a queen bed and loft (11′ x 20′) with two double beds

“stuffed” easy chairs, couch and cocktail table

rock fireplace, screen and utensils

small tables, freestanding coat rack

propane lights and propane refrigerator

one Montgomery Ward wood cooking range and propane range for cooking and baking

kitchen table and two 4′ rustic, homestead benches

silverware, sharp knives, steel skillets, cast iron skillet, dishpans, coffee cups, large plates, drinking cups, small pots, coffee pot, cooking pots, cookie sheets, pie pans, shallow baking pans, hot pads

cold running water in summer (not potable – boil 5 minutes) Persons using the cabins do not have a safe drinking water supply available on premises; drinking water is available at the North Fork Hostel – ¾ mile (1.2 km) away. Containers must be brought with you to obtain safe drinking water at the North Fork Hostel.

solar shower during sunny days next to the Charlie Wise Homestead

stocked woodshed

log outhouse


For Your Information (North Cabin)

Water is not potable, please boil for five minutes- you also can get drinking water at the hostel. Dish washing:
wash (warm soapy water)
Rinse (cold water)
Sanitize (cold water + ½ cap bleach)
Please wash and put away all dishes.

Please do not leave water in pots during freezing weather. They will freeze and break. It is best to tell us if the propane refrigerator is acting up. They are tricky to deal with.

Regarding the damper in the fireplace: towards you is open; to back is closed.

Please replace firewood and kindling in the cabin for the next person.

How to light propane lights: please first light match or lighter and hold it near (touch with the flame and not the match) the mantle inside the glass bowl and than turn gas on. Mantels are fragile to touch. Do not turn gas on first. To extinguish, turn gas off.

Solar shower is located south of the South cabin. Use during warmth of day for best results.

If you need supplies for the outhouse or find any problems, please let us at the hostel know.

Pack in and Pack out!
Please take out all your garbage and trash! Do not leave any of it outside! This is grizzly country!

Note: Please leave the place like you found it, so we can maintain our low rates.
If the cabin requires cleaning after use or any trash needs to be removed we will charge you for the service.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Charlie Wise Homestead

The original Charlie Wise Homestead from circa 1918. Has it’s own kitchen facilities and fireplace, one master bedroom with a queen size bed and a full size bed and a hide-a-bed couch in the living room. The log outhouse was featured in a book of outhouses, as well as a magazine for Montana State University. Newspaper article about Charlie Wise are in picture frames on the wall of the homestead also called the South Cabin.
Occupancy up to 4 people, $100 + 7% tax ( for 2 people) a weeknight, add $20 for Friday and Saturday nights, $20 for each additional person and 3 nights minimum rental required! Pets are allowed for an additional fee.

one master bedroom with double bed and living room with antique, oak double bed from the 1800’s

and a hide-a-bed, that can be used in front of the fireplace
“stuffed” easy chairs, couch and cocktail table
wood heater dated 1898, rock fireplace


screen and utensils
small tables, freestanding coat rack
propane lights and propane refrigerator
one Irish, wood cooking range and propane range for cooking and baking

wooden kitchen table and chairs
silverware, sharp knives, steel skillets, cast iron skillets, dishpans, coffee cups, large plates, drinking cups, small pots, coffee pot, cooking pots, cookie sheets, pie pans, shallow baking pans, hot pads

cold running water in summer (not potable – boil 5 minutes) Persons using the cabins do not have a safe drinking water supply available on premises; drinking water is available at the North Fork Hostel – ¾ mile (1.2 km) away. Containers must be brought with you to obtain safe drinking water at the North Fork Hostel

solar shower during sunny days next to the log home

stocked woodshed

unique log outhouse


For Your Information (Charlie Wise Homestead)

Water is not potable, please boil for five minutes- you also can get drinking water at the hostel. Dish washing:
wash (warm soapy water)
Rinse (cold water)
Sanitize (cold water + ½ cap bleach)
Please wash and put away all dishes.

Please do not leave water in pots during freezing weather. They will freeze and break.

It is best to tell us if the propane refrigerator is acting up. They are tricky to deal with.

To light Kitchen Wood stove: After laying paper and kindling in cooking range, put lit piece of paper in little door at base of stovepipe, you will smoke yourself out.

To start fire in Wood stove open flap at air vent briefly, but after fire is going well, turn open draft about one turn at most. Never close air vent completely.

To set fire for the night or when it becomes too warm, open back draft on floor. It acts like a damper and slows down fire. Use clothes pins at bottom to keep back draft open.

Please replace firewood and kindling in the cabin for the next person.

How to light propane lights: please first light match or lighter and hold it near (touch with the flame and not the match) the mantle inside the glass bowl and than turn gas on, mantles are fragile. Do not turn gas on first. To extinguish, turn gas off.

Solar shower is located south of the South cabin. Use during warmth of day for best results.

If you need supplies for the outhouse or find any problems, please let us at the hostel know.

Pack in and Pack out!
Please take out all your garbage and trash! Do not leave any of it outside! This is grizzly country!

Note: Please leave the place like you found it, so we can maintain our low rates.
If the cabin requires cleaning after use or any trash needs to be removed we will share you for the service.

Thank you for your cooperation!

 

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Tipis

For a little more plush camping we have a tipi available that sports a double bed but still has a dirt floor and lets you experience all the night sounds. A small fire is possible if we’re not in the middle of a forest fire season. Only available in July and August.

Klondike Kate’s Koffee House

Then, there is Klondike Kate’s Koffe House, not named for the building but for a business that John used to have up in Alaska in the old days. We used to call it the “mod” for modern since it is a frame structure that used to be towed around logging sites.

Klondike Kate’s has a queen bed and a full size futon couch that functions as a second bed to make you comfortable and a table with two chairs.

activities

No matter what your activity, bring your camera and binoculars. Wildlife is plentiful here. You might see deer, moose, elk, mountain lions, wolves, eagles or bears from the hostel windows. Only wolverines have not been seen from the hostel windows yet.
Hike or backpack along Glacier’s Continental Divide or the forested trails of the Whitefish Range.
Ski Logan Pass in late June when Going-To-The-Sun Road opens. (Cross-country skis and boots may be rented at the hostel.
Bicycle up from West Glacier on the inside park road to the hostel, then explore Polebridge and the surrounding area.
Fish or swim the federally designated wild and scenic North Fork of the Flathead River or beautiful Kintla and Bowman Lakes.
Help with trail maintenance, go on a hike or attend one of the other activities sponsored by the North Fork Preservation Association.

private rooms upstairs

Upstairs we have a private room, formerly known as the family room. It combines the convenience of being inside the main lodge and having your private space. The only challenge you have to face are the very steep stairs, especially on a nightly trip to the outhouse.

This room has two full size beds, which means plenty of room for a couple or a two individuals!
$80 + tax a weeknight for two, occupancy 2-4 people (add $30 for each additional person). Add $10 a night for Friday and Saturday nights.

The outhouses

¡Outhouses!:
No plastic or hygiene products in pit please, they belong in trash. Human waste only
Keep lid closed!
And: It is OK to pee in the woods! Birds do it, bears do it, moose do it, why not you?
Also: Remember: Changing toilet paper rolls does not cause brain damage!

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Bedding and towels

Sheets and Towels are normally not provided but can are available (Ask for help) for a small charge;

Always use bedding or sleeping bags!

Pillow cases (No charge) are next to the kitchen in the Hallway;

Please return pillow cases and sheets to hamper after use. Hang towels to dry!

 

The shower

Shower hours: 7 AM  to 5 AM and 5 PM to 10 PM

(Please, respect quiet times; hot water may not be available after hours)

The shower has an electric light, you find the switch to the left of the light fixture above the sink.

Conserve water: We are in a fragile environment: Low groundwater table & flood plain, so please limit your time and water use, be respectful to those after you and use squeegee after each use.

Please prop door open with little stool so the room can air out.