Celebrate ‘Friends Week’ on the Whitefish Trail

Having lived in small mountain towns around the West for the better part of 40 years, one of the things that really struck me when we moved to Whitefish four years ago was the “big city” amenities that our small town in northwest Montana enjoys – from The Wave and the Ice Den to the O’Shaughnessy Center and the Performing Arts Center and everything in between.

Even more amazing to me was the fact that each of these quality-of-life-enhancing projects was built by the community at large, fueled by the hard work, dedication – and financial support – of the remarkable people who live, work and vacation here.
The latest – and continuing – community success story is the Whitefish Trail.

The cornerstone project of the Whitefish Legacy Partners, the trail acts as a portal into prime wildlife habitat, spectacular scenery and mountainous recreational meccas. Current trails providing access to Lion Mountain, Beaver Lakes, Skyles Lake and Spencer Mountain. Future trail construction includes Swift and Lazy creeks, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Haskill Basin.

The Whitefish Trail is comprised of stacked loops, scenic overlooks, single-track trail and gated logging roads. The result of a collaboration between Whitefish Legacy Partners, the City of Whitefish, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, U.S. Forest Service, Montana State Parks and private conservation and recreation champions, the Whitefish Trail demonstrates Whitefish Legacy Partners’ capacity for forging lasting and productive partnerships.

Right now the folks at Whitefish Legacy Partners are in the midst of “Friends Week” on the trail, an opportunity for the community to celebrate the work done and to keep the momentum going!

Starting with a volunteer work day last weekend and concluding this Saturday with a Hootenany at the Bar W Ranch, “Friends Week” gives you a chance to work on a trail project, take a ride with the bike patrol, or visit one of the local businesses that will be donating a portion of their proceeds to benefit the Whitefish Trail.

Here’s the calendar of events. If you can’t find a way to pitch-in, you’re not trying hard enough! The businesses noted will be donating a percentage of their proceeds that day to the trail:

Tuesday, June 4
• Explore the Whitefish Trail with Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center
• Dinner at Ciao Mambo

Wednesday, June 5

• All day at The Toggery
• Dinner at Latitude 48

Thursday, June 6

• Pints with Purpose at Great Northern Brewing Company
• Dinner at Pescado Blanco

Friday, June 7