Page 58 - Flathead Beacon // 4.1.15

58 | APRIL 1, 2015 EXPLORE
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
With the sun shining down on the Flat- head Valley and snowpack quickly melting away, April is the perfect time to get back out- side after a long winter. For folks in Kalispell, one of the quickest ways to enjoy the great outdoors are the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails at Herron Park, just southwest of town.
Herron Park was created in 1977 when Flathead County obtained 120 acres of land for the public. In the early 2000s, a group of trail enthusiasts began talking about build- ing paths from Herron all the way to Black- tail Mountain near Lakeside. In the years since, the group has helped add hundreds of acres of land to the park and in 2015 it is now 440 acres. The Foy’s to Blacktail group has also helped build numerous trails in and around the park, including the 1.65-mile John Chase Trail and the 2.6-mile Notch Trail. A map and trail guide can be found free at Rocky Mountain Outfitter, Wheatons, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and the group’s kiosk at Herron. You can also find a copy of it on their website, www.foystoblack- tailtrails.com.
PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE
HOW TO GET THERE: From Kalispell, take Meridian Road south from the intersection with U.S. Highway 2 until it turns into Foy’s Lake Road. When you reach Foy’s Lake Road at the 93 Bypass, the park is less than a mile away. A paved parking lot is available for visitors.
OUTDOORS
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
Foy’s to Blacktail Trails
WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO?
HOW TO HANDLE “WILDERNESS” MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.
Are you prepared to respond to a medical emergency in the “wilderness” —be it the backcountry, a city in crisis, or traveling abroad? Ever won- dered how you would survive a night in the wilderness with a broken leg? Or know the difference between a real medical emergency and what is not? Especially when calling 911 is not an option?
A walker on one of the trails at Herron Park. BEACON FILE PHOTO
AVAILABLE COURSES:
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER COURSE (WFR):
WILDERNESS EMT UPGRADE:
WILDERNESS FIRST AID:
May 15-16, 2015 Flathead Valley Community College $260.00
May 26-28, 2015 Glacier National Park $300.00
April 29-May 3rd, 2015.
April 23, - April 27, 2015
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS APRIL 16. $750.00
$750.00
For more information and to register, contact:
SUSAN PURVIS,
Crested Butte Outdoors International, LLC, Owner and Lead Instructor
970-596-2999 | [email protected] www.cboutdoors.com