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FLATHEADBEACON.COM AUGUST 13, 2014 | 71 WEEKEND OUTLOOK
WEEKLY ON-MOUNTAIN NEWS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014
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Top 10 Things to do before summer ends
It’s August and sum- mer (September included) is fading fast. When someone asks you what you did this summer, what experiences will you share?
If you feel like your sum- mer has whisked by and you have yet to do very much of what you thought you’d do, don’t panic! The best thing you can do is make yourself a list. Let me see if I can
help you out.
10. Paddle the Whitefish River. We
are so fortunate to have a beautiful, mellow river right in town. It’s right there, and it’s su- per fun and super easy! Kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards are everywhere on the river and available to rent if you don’t own one (or know someone who has one). Whether you want a good workout, or a leisurely float this river is perfect. Plus there’s a good chance you’ll see such wildlife as deer, ducks, blue her- on, beaver, river otters and of course fish!
9. Take a Zip Line Tour. Here’s what I love about our Zip Line Tours: they are ridicu- lously fun for groups of all ages! The last time I went we had kids, teens and a wide-assortment of adults. All of us bonded as we took turns fly- ing across ski runs and taking in the views. Is it on your bucket list? Then add this to your list!
8. Go to the North Fork or Two Medi- cine. Every summer I plan a few excursions to “The Park” and at least once I like to spend a day hiking or hanging out in one of the qui- eter parts. The North Fork is famous for its rough journey up the washboard road; how- ever it’s well worth the effort. Quiet and rus- tic the North Fork is special place. Less rustic, Two Medicine is off the beaten path from the crowds of West Glacier and Logan Pass yet still has lots to do and some of the most beautiful views in the park.
7. Pass Holder Perks. For those of you who bought a 2013/2014 Winter Season Pass you are more than half-way through the sum- mer season and you need to get up here and take advantage of your summer discounts. Not only do you receive unlimited foot passenger Scenic Lift Rides on Chair 1, there are many more deals on our other summer activities plus 10 percent off dining and retail. What are you waiting for?
6. Get into the Wilderness. 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Wilder- ness Act. You happen to be in the perfect place to commemorate this in the perfect way. Just south of Glacier National Park is the Great Bear Wilderness and south of that is the Bob Marshall Wilderness (known locally as “The Bob”). Together they are over 2,000 square miles and 1.5 million acres of protected land. Go hiking, fishing, backpacking or camping in one of these two areas protected in their wild- ness. “The wilderness holds answers to ques- tions man has not yet learned to ask.”— Nancy Newhall.
5. Go Mountain Biking. I have friends who range from novice to expert mountain bikers, and I’m here to tell you no matter what level you are there’s a great trail just your speed not too far from where you sit right now. We also have lots of fun people who will happily show you the ropes. Take a private lesson or attend a bike clinic with Beyond the Bound- aries. Show up at one of Flathead Fat Tires Tuesday night “LEGO” (Low-EGO) Rides. Test your mettle and hang out with the cool kids at Thursday Night Race League up here on the mountain. If you haven’t yet tried our Bike Park come and see what gravity-fed riding is all about. You can ride the award-winning Kash- mir trail, recently named a model flow trail by the International Mountain Bicycling Associa- tion (IMBA)! Whatever you do, be sure to ride the Whitefish Trail.
Riley Polumbus
Cyclone Lookout is one of many staffed fire lookouts you can visit, Whitefish Mountain Resort’s award-winning Kashmir Trail is not only fun it provides some of the best views around, and paddlers and swimmers enjoy the Whitefish River.
4. Get to Flathead Lake. The largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi is the heart of our valley. Just under 200 square miles of surface and 161.4 miles of shoreline, Flat- head Lake has a summer-full of fun activities on its own. Take a boat tour, camp at one of the six Montana State Parks, or dine along the shore. At the very least take a day to drive lei- surely around the lake, and along the way you can buy Flathead Cherries and sample beers at Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside and Flathead Lake Brewing Company in Woods Bay.
3. Hike to a Fire Lookout. So many places to hike around here how do you choose? You pick a theme! We have a number of un- staffed and staffed fire lookouts in our area in- cluding nine in Glacier National Park. Cyclone Peak Lookout in the Flathead National Forest
is a dog-friendly trail and overlooks Polebridge and Bowman Lake in the North Fork. Check out the book, Northwest Montana Fire Look- outs: A Hiking Guide by Steve Rains, and start a list!
2. Find your Farmer. If you’ve spent any quality time in the area you’ve seen the green and white bumper sticker, “Who’s Your Farmer?” Well, you can find one for yourself every Tuesday at Whitefish’s Farmers Market. There’s also a map and a website (nourishthe- flathead.org) to help you find local farmers. It is amazing to create a meal and know the peo- ple who cultivated its ingredients!
1. Get your 2014/15 Winter Season Pass. ‘Tis tradition to end the summer with a purchase that will guarantee a fun winter. There’s a little over six weeks left in this year’s 2014/15 Winter Season Pass sale happening now through September 30th.
ZIP LINES = GOOD TIMES
THEY'RE ALMOST TOO MUCH FUN! RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY FOR A 5 OR 7 ZIP LINE TOUR BEFORE SUMMER COMES TO A CLOSE. CALL 406-862-2900 TO BOOK.
HUCKS ARE HERE
CHECK THE TRAIL REPORT FOR ELEVATION UPDATES.
TAKE THE SCENIC LIFT UP AND HIKE DOWN, PICKING BERRIES THE WHOLE WAY!
Photo © Noah Clayton
877-SKI-FISH / SKIWHITEFISH.COM