Glencore, the parent company of Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, will allow Gateway to Glacier Trail to establish a bicycle and pedestrian path along a three-mile piece of forested property on the east side of the Flathead River.
Sarah Dakin, a past president of the local nonprofit trail organization, said Glencore signed a contract allowing the group to build the path after two years of negotiating.
Dakin said fundraising efforts are underway to build the new section, which is estimated to cost a maximum of $275,000. The path, situated on open property across the river from the former aluminum plant, will begin off River Road near U.S. Highway 2 and travel north to the river access site at the House of Mystery.
“We are pleased to be able to work successfully with local citizens to make this happen,” Glencore’s Cheryl Driscoll stated. “The Gateway to Glacier Trail will be a great addition to the community. The trail is being developed by a passionate group of local citizens who deserve our support. Glencore and Columbia Falls Aluminum Company are committed to being positive partners with our neighbors in the area and this is one example of that commitment.”
The Glencore property is the trail group’s latest successful step forward. Since the organization was formed in 2010, the path has begun materializing in sections. It currently stretches roughly 11 miles off the highway between Hungry Horse and West Glacier. The group secured funding through the Federal Lands Access Program for a 2.7-mile trail from Columbia Falls to Bad Rock Canyon that is scheduled for construction this year.
The group also successfully lobbied the Montana Department of Transportation to include a separated path as part of the new bridge across the South Fork Flathead River, a project that is underway this spring. MDT also plans to establish a detached path along U.S. 2 through Badrock Canyon as part of its planned road upgrade in the future.
On May 20 at 11.a.m., the group will celebrate the creation of a new steel gazebo in Hungry Horse that was constructed as a trailhead for the path. Jeffrey Funk used pieces from the Old Steel Bridge and built the kiosk near the Dam Town Tavern in the heart of Hungry Horse. Refreshments will be served at the official dedication ceremony and the public is invited. Two other fundraisers will be held this summer with dates to be announced.
The overall goal of the project is to create a pedestrian and bike path from the Flathead Valley to Glacier National Park.
For those wishing to contribute to the trail, visit www.gatewaytoglaciertrail.com.