I first caught the hiking bug at age 13, during a three-day mountaineering trip at summer camp in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I remember feeling time suspended as our group scrambled over dirt and rocks, crossed swift streams and took in the thickly forested surroundings. Ever since then, spending time outdoors has been a necessary part of my well-being, and knowing that led me to move to Montana two and a half years ago.
I have lived in a good many places throughout my adult life, including South Carolina, New York City and New Zealand. But Montana is the only place I have lived that allowed me quick and easy access to wilderness. I credit this to the incredible amount of hiking trails across the state, and the emphasis placed on maintaining them.
The Flathead National Forest alone offers more than 2,000 miles of trails with stunning mountain views and a host of alpine lakes, while Glacier National Park has over 700 miles of trails.
With the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day coming up Saturday, June 6, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate and give back than being put to work on a few of the Valley’s hiking and biking trails.
The Foys to Blacktail Trails Volunteer Day starts at 9 a.m. in Herron Park. Volunteers work alongside members of Montana Conservation Corps on maintaining the Foys Overlook Trail, Plum Creek Connector Trail and the John Chase Trail. Equestrians, cyclists, hikers and dog-walkers are all invited. Volunteers can RSVP with Matt Brake at 406-250-5958 or just show up with water, lunch, long pants and sturdy shoes.
The Flathead Fat Tires, a local non-profit mountain bike club will host a work party at the Armory Dirt Jumps in Whitefish from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Saturday. Help with weeding, garbage pickup, fence repair and tuning up the jumps. Refreshments will be provided, and volunteers are encouraged to bring their bikes for an after-work jump session. The group is also hosting a booth at the National Trails Day celebration by Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.
Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (link to http://www.bmwf.org/) will host work crews (link to http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResultOrganisationDetails.aspx?NTDId=1526) in the Great Bear Wilderness off of Highway 2. Volunteers should meet at Hungry Horse Ranger Station for a carpool to the trailhead at 8:30 a.m. The work will focus on Grant Ridge #339, clearing trails of windfall, removing brush and providing maintenance and installation of drainage structures. Participants should bring a daypack with lunch, snacks, water, rain gear, sturdy boots, long pants and gloves. After the trail work, the Foundation invites all volunteers to a tailgate barbecue at the Hungry Horse Ranger Station from 4-6 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided. Call 406-387-3808, e-mail [email protected] or check the Foundation’s Web site to register.
Happy Trails!