The next few months showcase the best of the Flathead Valley, from the freshwater splendor of Flathead Lake to the world-class peaks of Glacier National Park. Summertime means adventuring in the high country or paddling the idyllic streams and lakes that are abundant in this corner of the state. It also means backyard barbecues, entertaining house guests, biking Going-to-the-Sun Road, and catching some of the region’s signature events.
Summer is just around the corner, so get ready. Here are a few helpful tips to make the most of your summer:
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Holy Smokes
Hone your smoking skills for better backyard barbecue with these tips from meat-master Ed McGrew
By Tristan Scott
While purveyors of barbecue tend to be a secretive bunch, Whitefish’s premier smoke-master, Ed McGrew, let spring a few leaks in the days leading up to summer.
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Mark Your Calendar
As summer weekends already start filling up, be sure to make room in your schedule for these events and festivals
By Molly Priddy
Summertime is imminent in the Flathead Valley, which means an influx of visitors and a full landscape of adventurous opportunities.
It’s also the valley’s prime time for can’t-miss events, activities, programs, and parties; be sure to keep tabs on www.FlatheadEvents.net and www.MontanaTickets.com for up-to-date event listings, additions and changes.
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Biking to the Sun
As cycling Going-to-the-Sun Road gains popularity, Glacier Guides offers first interpretive bike tours
By Justing Franz
WEST GLACIER – Sweat is beading down your forehead. Your calves are on fire. Your breathing is heavy.
Biking up Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is not for the faint of heart. As you pedal your way toward Logan Pass — each wheel rotation a little bit harder — you think, “Why am I doing this? I can see the same scenery from a car in just a few weeks.”
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Trail Stewards
Meet some of the volunteers who spend the summer clearing and maintaining the paths into Montana’s beloved public forests
By Dillon Tabish
There are 2,249 miles of designated trails in the Flathead National Forest, enough single track to journey from Kalispell to New York.
Among its many tasks, the U.S. Forest Service is responsible for managing that expansive network of public paths, which provide beloved access to alpine lakes, towering peaks and wild valleys.
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So You’ve Got Houseguests…
When summer hits, so do the visitors. Here’s a guide of activities to give them a good time while you get a break for a couple hours
By Molly Priddy
Ah, summer.
It was barely May before the calls started, friends and family dialing us up to see if they could reserve a room in the house for their seasonal visit to the Flathead. After a long, cold winter, the thrill of seeing new people in the valley is exciting, but for many of us, begins to wear on us like traffic wears down Main Street in Kalispell.
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A Digital Guide to the Outdoors
Five apps that help navigate the outdoor experience without spoiling it
By Tristan Scott
With summer upon us, residents of the Flathead Valley are beginning to pursue their outdoor adventures in earnest, and while our Thoreauvian instincts tempt us to shuck off the constraints of technology, don’t underestimate the power of technology in the woods.
A suite of handy apps for your smartphones and devices can help with navigation, identifying birds or flowers, checking stream flows, and enjoying the star-scape.