Page 127 - Flathead Living Fall 2014

leFT Late day sunlight turns into a rainbow at the fountain in Woodland Park. RIGHT Beaver Lake as seen from The Whitefish Trail.
Trail lisTing
In Town
BIGFORK
harry horn
Half-mile and one-mile trails can be combined to make a longer walk. One-lane trails are on small
rolling hills that offer vistas and access to Flathead Lake.
swan river nature trail
Four miles round trip follow- ing river on old roadbed. Two miles from Bigfork to Kearney Rapids Bridge.
SOMERS
rails to trails
15 miles from Somers to Kila. Paved trail can be accessed in several locations to customize walk.
KALISPELL
Woodland Park
Two miles of walking trails.
Lawrence Park
One mile of paved trail.
Buffalohead Pond
Less than a mile of trails around pond in six-acre wooded park.
WHITEFISH
Fish trails
12 miles of paved trails through town.
Close To Town
Lone Pine
7.5 miles of trails.
Wheelchair accessible interpretive loop.
Open all year 8 a.m. until dark. Call 406-752-5501 for
Visitor Center hours.
Foy’s to Blacktail trails at herron Park
Over 14 miles of trails. Less than 10 minutes from downtown Kalispell.
Whitefish trails
26 miles and seven trailheads.
The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit orga- nization holding the property while the group raises funds for purchase. They have added 260 acres to the original 120 to date with a goal to purchase the final 60 acres by 2015. Trails are open to joggers, walkers, bicyclists, skiers and horsemen. The Family Trail, built in 2010, provides a mellow trail for access to the ridgetop and serves as a con- nector trail to several loop options. Be alert for bicycles and horses when rounding blind corners. Bicyclers and pedestrians must yield to horses.
A section of The Rails to Trails system offers a 22-mile paved path from Somers to Kila, passing through Kalispell on the old rail grade. The entire trail is more suited to bicycling in its entirety but if you pick up a map at the Kalispell Visitor Center in Depot Park you can select an entry point for your walk. The Somers trailhead is located across from the post office and marked by an old locomotive and archway at the beginning of the trail. The Somers trailhead is a tranquil section that begins in the trees and along a lagoon for a mile before crossing Highway 82 and following parallel to Highway 93 where it breaks out into stunning mountain and val- ley views. The path lies adjacent to Highway 93 and Highway 2 and provides a safe path around the Kalispell Bypass. The second half of the trail meanders along Ashley Creek and through the Batavia Waterfowl Production Area for a chance to observe mallards, sand- hill cranes and other birds and wildlife. Starting points on the west side of Kalispell include off Ashley Meadows Road where the trail crosses the road and east of the intersec- tion of US 2 and Spring Creek Road. Both have parking space for a few cars. If you want
to start in Kila, there is parking along Kila Road at the intersection with Smith Lake Road or at a pullout a little farther north.
In Bigfork you can get on the wild side just a few steps from downtown. Head up the hill on Grand Avenue to reach Swan River Nature Trail. Long ago it was a gravel road to the Swan Valley and follows the river for two miles, ending at the Kearney Rapids Bridge and merging with Swan River Road. There is limited parking at the Bigfork trailhead, but you also have the option of parking at the Kearney Rapids Bridge pullout, where you will find parking for several cars. This road has gone back to nature with abundant wildlife and wildflowers in the summer. The first mile follows the “Wild Mile,” a boil- ing section of river in the spring that serves as a stage for the Whitewater Festival each Memorial Day weekend. A side trip mid-way on the trail leads to the “Big Rock” where spectators gather to watch kayakers during the slalom competition. The steep riverbank mellows above the spillway providing eas- ier river access in several places where you can observe waterfowl and see the old skel- eton stumps that remain after the river was dammed.
On the west side of Bigfork is a trail sys- tem starting in the Harry Horn Park at the entry of Wayfarers Park. There are several trail options leading through the forest that include a climb to a knoll that breaks out for a view of Flathead Lake and Bigfork. The trails also provide access to the lake where you can find a dramatic overlook in the rock cliffs.
One of the big bonuses of these wonderful trails is that after you’ve gone for a walk – you are almost home. FL
FALL 2014 | FLATHEAD LIVING 125