Page 67 - Flathead Beacon // 7.23.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM JULY 23, 2014 | 67 WEEKEND OUTLOOK
WEEKLY ON-MOUNTAIN NEWS WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014
Get into Nature
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If you are lucky enough to be read- ing this article, you’re lucky enough to be in
Our forests are very special, not only for their plant and wildlife, but also for the trees. The timber indus- try was one of the first established industries in our area and remains a steady source of business today. Our boardwalk is actually built on our neighbor’s property, F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. The oldest family- owned lumber company in Montana owns and manages nearly 38,000 acres near the town of Whitefish. The company is widely-known for their exemplary stewardship, and fortu- nately for all of us, they also have a longstanding policy of allowing pub- lic use of company lands especially for recreational and educational use.
Walk in the Tree Tops fits both of those descriptions. While the tour is relaxing and educational it is still exhilarating. From learning every- thing you ever wanted to know on the hike out, to the supercool treehouse effect of the boardwalk, this tour is easily the most unique way to get into nature.
Riley a place where you can
Polumbus
easily access nature. In minutes you can drive, walk, pedal or paddle your way into the forest and be immersed in its splendor. If you make your way up here to the moun- tain you can experience a few more adventurous ways to get into the nat-
ural world.
One of the most unique ways is an
activity we call Walk in the Treetops. I’d go out on a limb and describe it as Indiana Jones meets Swiss Family Robinson and makes a nature tour (minus the spiders and snakes and being stranded on a tropical island). What I mean is (cue the Indiana Jones theme) who doesn’t like a little adven- ture to go with exploring the woods?
It all begins with meeting your guides at the Base Lodge. Like Pro- fessor Jones, each of our guides is extremely knowledgeable, and will teach you all about our local eco- system. When not giving tours they spend hours researching the flora and fauna they run into on their ex- hibitions. Every time I’ve gone out on this tour I have learned something new.
After driving guests out to the Walk in the Treetops tent, located close to the eastern edge of our prop-
Looking for a new adventure? Come up and view the forest from a squirrel’s eye view with our Walk in the Treetops tour.
erty, participants receive a harness and brief training for the boardwalk section of the tour. Our boardwalk is 700 feet (244 meters) long and reaches a height of 70 feet (21 meters) above the forest floor. It is suspended from tree to tree with aircraft cables. Everyone is redundantly secured to a cable so it is completely safe, yet still adventurous (can you still hear the Indian Jones theme?) as you climb up the two-foot wide planks from tree to tree gaining elevation as you go.
The boardwalk is a half-mile hike (.8 kilometer) from the tent on what we’ve unofficially dubbed “The Bear- grass Trail” for our signature flower. While beargrass peaks at that eleva- tion early in the season. Late July and early August are ideal for berries. Word is the berries have just begun
and are nearly ripe for the picking. The raspberry-looking thimbleberry is one of the many tasty treats found along the trail which includes every- one’s favorite: huckleberries! Learn how to tell the difference between a huckleberry and its doppelganger the Saskatoon berry also known as a serviceberry, as well as what else is edible.
All the while learning about what you can eat and must not eat you will be surrounded by dense forest and stand a chance of seeing wildlife. Guides keep a lookout so you won’t miss anything as well as keeping you at a safe distance. I guarantee you will be so engrossed in the beauty and newfound knowledge you will almost forget the highlight of the tour is yet to come.
WALK IN THE TREETOPS
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 5 p.m. tour is available from now until August 15th. Must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall. All ages $49. Call 406- 862-2900 to reserve your spot.
ZIP LINE IT UP
SUMMER FUN TAKES FLIGHT! JOIN US FOR A 5 OR 7 ZIP LINE TOUR. CALL 406-862-2900 TODAY TO BOOK. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED.
WEDNESDAY TWILIGHT NIGHTS
CHAIR 1 WILL STAY OPEN FOR AN EXTRA HOUR UNTIL 6:30pm FROM JULY 9 - AUGUST 13. MORE TIME TO RIDE BIKES OR GRAB A SNACK AT THE SUMMIT HOUSE! THERE ARE MOUNTAIN BIKE CLINICS & A FREE SHUTTLE FROM TOWN TOO. DETAILS ONLINE.
Photo © Noah Clayton
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