The final eight miles of Foys to Blacktail Trails are close to breaking ground this spring thanks to a $90,000 state grant and ongoing fundraising efforts.
The Foys to Blacktail Trails local nonprofit organization, which has devoted the last 16 years to expanding Herron Park near Kalispell and building an expansive public trail system, is hoping to complete the popular community project in the coming months and connect to U.S. Forest Service trails on Blacktail Mountain in Lakeside.
Montana State Parks announced last week that it was awarding $90,000 to the group to help finish the project. The funds were distributed through the federal Recreational Trails Program.
Kelly O’Brien, president of the Foys to Blacktail Trails volunteer board, said an estimated $40,000 is still needed to complete the trails. Community members can support the project through donations or by becoming a FTBT member, O’Brien said.
The goal is to begin building the trails this spring and have them completed by late summer, O’Brien said.
“We’re so thankful for our partners and supporters over the years,” she said. “I’m really proud to be a part of this and I’m so proud of the team we have. It was a true team effort.”
The original vision for an expansive public trail system in the forested hills west of Kalispell dates back decades and began materializing in 2001. Today Herron Park spans 440 acres, with 15 miles of scenic trail providing recreational pathways for hikers, bikers and horse riders. A user survey conducted in 2015 showed that 45 percent of people who recreated at Herron Park visited at least once or twice per week. Of the 145 respondents, 106 were hikers and 60 were mountain bikers.
The final eight miles will trace the ridgeline south from the Chase Overlook Trail and connect to the Forest Service trails on Blacktail Mountain.
“It will offer an incredible view of the whole valley,” O’Brien said.
»»» Click here to view a map of Foys to Blacktail Trails
Once the new addition is completed, the connected single-track trail from Herron Park to Blacktail will stretch 18.8 miles. It will be 21.1 miles to the Lakeside trailhead.
The Foys to Blacktail Trails organization has deeded the park easements and its trails to Flathead County. After fundraising efforts cover the final cost to build the remaining trails, the organization will focus its efforts on covering ongoing maintenance and upkeep costs.
“We will have accomplished what we set out to do,” O’Brien said of the final eight miles.
For more information about Foys to Blacktail Trails, or to donate to the new trail addition, visit http://www.foystoblacktailtrails.org.