Page 67 - Flathead Beacon // 7.15.15

WEEKEND OUTLOOK
n my next life I’d like to be an expert on na- ture. That is to say if
I’m living a life like I am right now (here in Mon- tana exploring the natu-
Riley ral wonders of our area) Polumbus I would like to be that girl who can tell you about the plants, flow- ers, trees and wildlife one encounters in our forests. Until my next life I can live vi- cariously through our Walk in the Treetops
guides.
Every summer I’ve taken a time out and
gone on a Walk in the Treetops Tour, and every time I have gone it’s been a different and gratifying experience. I say different in the best sense that it’s never the same tour twice. The tour offers is a unique opportu- nity to spend some time in the woods with two guides. This year’s guides include lead guide Kelsey Lint, retuning guide Andrew Fisher and our new guide Rick Guenther. All three bring a wealth of knowledge and contagious enthusiasm for the great out- doors and each guide shares their personal expertise so no matter which two of the three you get, you will learn a ton.
This tour takes you into the forest in a way you just can’t get on any regular hike. For one thing, after checking in at the Base Lodge, the guides will drive you out to the trailhead which is on the edge of our prop- erty. Already feeling removed and far off the beaten path, you will be led on a trail a half mile long stopping along the way to learn about the flowers and plants and trees growing on the trail. You may learn about the ways these plants were used by the Flathead and Cheyenne Tribes who first inhabited our area. You will also learn which plants are edible and which are poi- sonous as there are examples of both along the trail.
One such edible found along our trail is the famed huckleberry. If you are visiting
Gain a whole new appreciation and perspective of the forest on a guided Walk in the Treetops tour.
Ripe huckleberries waiting to be picked along the Walk in the Treetops trail. Photo by Andrew Fisher
to forage in the forest for food, or at least find some tasty treats on your excursions. Either way, you’ll impress your friends!
I realize that I am mostly focused on the educational and gastronomical benefits of this tour and not as much on the physi- cal experience. The highlight (literally) is walking along the elevated boardwalk which takes you gradually above the for- est floor to a height of 70 feet at its high- est point. In doing this you will be wearing a climbing harness equipped with safety ropes and carabiners so that you will be re- dundantly clipped into the climbing cable.
Once you reach the height of the “span” as we call it, you will stand on a platform, clipped onto a cable around a giant tree and take in the view. This is a rare experience only birds, squirrels and other Walk in the Treetops participants get to do. It’s one of the best ways to get into nature I know.
WEEKLY ON-MOUNTAIN NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015
LOW52oF HI86oF
IRITES OF SUMMER
or new to Montana you’ve probably discov- ered a few local huckleberry products in the form of jams, ice cream, beer or straight up huckleberries baked into pancakes or pastries. Hucks are more than a delicious treat they are a rite of summer. Finding and picking them are an annual ritual and our Walk in the Treetops guides will teach you how to identify them as well as offer tips for picking.
Here’s my tip: sign up for a Walk in the Treetops Tour NOW because they are rip- ening on the trail as you read this. See ac- companied photo taken last Friday by An- drew, who not only is an expert on many local plants, he grew up in on this very mountain picking huckleberries. (And ski- ing.)
Andrew reports that the huckleberries should be ripe along our trail for this week and hopefully into next so you can learn
the tips and tricks for picking huckleber- ries. For example Andrew suggests getting underneath the bush because the berries grow underneath the leaves. He also told me that there are four or five different types on our mountain (I told you I learn some- thing new every year!) among which are mountain huckleberries, blue huckleber- ries and dwarf huckleberries. He added that because huckleberries ripen at lower eleva- tions first and then move up the mountain later in the summer. Not only can you go on the tour and pick huckleberries, you can also pick Andrew’s (or the other guides’) brains on where to find them!
Hucks are not the only type of berry you’ll find on a Walk in the Treetops Tour. You will learn about 10 different varieties of berries on the trail as well as discovering other plants that are edible. By the end of the tour you will have a decent idea of how
Walk in the Treetops is a two to two-and-a- half hour tour that is offered daily. Tours begin at the Base Lodge at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. A special 4:30 p.m. tour is available from now until August 16th. Must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall. All ages $49. Call 406-862-2900 to reserve your spot.
TAKE SIGHTSEEING TO NEW HEIGHTS
Ride to the summit and enjoy 360-degree views including peaks of Glacier National Park. Stop in to the Summit House Café for lunch or a cool beverage and be sure to check out the Forest Service Nature Center to learn more about the native wildlife and forest (great for kids!).
FAMILY FUN PACKAGE from just $119/person*
Includes 2 night stay in a Standard 2 Bedroom Condo, 1 Alpine Slide Ride & 1 Scenic Lift Ride per person. Additional activities can be added at a discounted rate when you book your lodging with us! *Rate is per person & based on 4 people in a standard 2 bedroom condominium. Does not include taxes & fees. Two night minimum stay required. Some restrictions may apply.
877-SKI-FISH | SKIWHITEFISH.COM
JULY 15, 2015 | FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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