News from your community trail! |
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Greetings!
We sometimes get asked what do we do all winter, once trail construction comes to an end in the fall, our volunteers hang up their pulaskis for the winter, and our education programs wind down. But believe it or not, winter is one of the busiest seasons at WLP headquarters: planning next year's trail construction and maintenance projects, applying for grants, scheduling free community programs, and working on future conservation deals. We're mostly hard at work with planning and preparation at the WLP office, but when the weather breaks or the sun comes out, you'll also see us out enjoying the trail!
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WLP WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER |
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WLP is excited to welcome Marissa Keenan to our Board of Directors! As a local business owner, parent, and outdoor enthusiast, we're grateful for all Marissa has to contribute to bring the community's vision for conservation, recreation, and education to life on our local lands.
"I grew up in NW Montana, and after leaving for school and travel, the pull of clean water, lakes, and rivers and the mountains lured me home. In 2010, I started Sweet Peaks Ice Cream in Whitefish with my partner and have been expanding our ice cream concept to other locations across the state and reinvesting in Whitefish through additional businesses and visions. When I am not working, I can be found hiking up Big Mountain in all seasons, running trails (Lion Mountain Trailhead!), getting in every lake and river that I can find, encouraging my three kids to get outdoors in all seasons and traveling. I am honored to be involved in Whitefish Legacy Partners and thankful for the opportunity to contribute."
In addition to supporting WLP with her time as a volunteer board member, Marissa is also committed to supporting local conservation and stewardship through her businesses. Wild Coffee's 1% Back to the Wild program pledges to donate 1% of sales to non-profits like WLP and Glacier Conservancy.
"Through years of creating and fostering small business in communities, we have seen how impactful we can be when we commit to a cause that weaves a story from our brands to the spaces they inhabit and people that support us. It is our belief that dedicated companies who stand the test of time are those that honor, support and advocate for the places and people who make their success truly possible. The soul of our brand is not just the idea but the story and the story of WILD is our commitment to and love for the wild spaces around us.
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Our commitment to the Wild is not only through encouragement to get out and enjoy the outdoors but through our 1% of sales donation pledge to non-profits such as Whitefish Legacy Partners and Glacier Conservancy. Through giving back and advocating for our community - we are putting our money where our feet hit the ground."
Welcome Marissa!
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A Reminder for Dog Owners |
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We recently received a message from two young trail users, ages 4 and 9, who were out for a hike at Lion Mountain and began noticing dog poop along the trail. With the help of their mom they started documenting what they saw on their mile long hike, and as you can see, it was a lot!
There's no magic poop fairy who comes in the night, so as you and your pups are enjoying the trails, please remember to pick up after them and pack it out! Mutt mitts and trash cans are provided at trailheads for your convenience. While it may not seem like a big deal to not pick up after your dog once, it's a problem that compounds with the thousands of four legged trail users.
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THANK YOU to everyone who helps by picking up after others' dogs and
carrying out abandoned mutt mitts!
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WLP Awarded Safety Grants |
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WLP has been awarded two grants to improve emergency response and volunteer safety on the Whitefish Trail.
In partnership with Whitefish Fire Department, DNRC, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. and City of Whitefish, WLP received a Flathead Electric Cooperative Round Up For Safety Grant to improve access for emergency responders to the Whitefish Trail and surrounding lands. This work will help EMS, Fire, and Search and Rescue respond more quickly to incidents when every minute counts.
WLP also received support from the Montana State Fund ACE grant to purchase new safety equipment for volunteers and staff working on the Whitefish Trail, as well as funding to purchase temporary signs to alert trail users when work is in progress.
Thank you FEC and MT State Fund for your support!
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By Jedd Sankar-Gorton, Program Manager
Parts of the last week have felt like we have been living in a snow globe. After a few drier weeks, the entire Whitefish Trail got a fresh blanket of snow. This morning on the trails at Lupfer the woods were sublimely quiet except for the calls of Red-breasted Nuthatches and the scratching of Hairy Woodpeckers on the bark of the Larch and Fir. Enough people have been hiking there that you can follow the trail but there is still a sense of discovery around every turn. As I came up to the Overlook, a Bald Eagle took off from the tree in front of me and flew off towards the east. Being on the trails closer to town is a ton of fun right now because you can run into friends and get to the trailheads quickly during lunch or after work but, sometimes, driving the extra 15 minutes out to Lupfer is well worth it.
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Across the entire trail system right now, we have excellent winter conditions, with Glacier Nordic Club grooming from Big Mountain Trailhead and Whitefish Bike Retreat grooming from Beaver Lakes Trailhead. The trails at Lion Mountain, Reservoir, and Swift are very walkable as the new snow gets packed down from all the use. Meanwhile, more secluded spots like Lupfer or Holbrook can be enjoyed on foot, if you don’t mind a bit of post-holing, or with snow-shoes or classic XC skis. |
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As a reminder, we plow the Lion Mountain, Skyles, Beaver Lakes, Reservoir, Big Mountain, and Swift Trailheads regularly. Lupfer gets plowed less frequently, though is in good shape with plenty of space. Twin Bridges and South Spencer Trailheads are not maintained for winter use, though they are often accessible when snow levels are low. We hope that you get out and enjoy the ideal conditions forecasted this weekend. When you’re out on the trail, think about how different Whitefish would be without these recreation opportunities. If you appreciate the Whitefish Trail, consider a donation in 2022 to keep the amazing community asset happy and healthy. |
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Upcoming Education Programs |
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Snow Science and Safety with Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center
Sunday, February 27 at 10am
Big Mountain Trailhead
Have you ever wondered how something so delicate as snowflakes can cause an avalanche? Join us on the snowy trail to learn a the basics about snow science and safety with the Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center.
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Wildlife Tracks in the Snow
Saturday, March 26 at 10am
Big Mountain Trailhead
Come join us to discover the basics of animal tracking in the snow. Learn the 4 basic patterns of tracks and how to start identifying who has been on the trail before you.
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Whitefish Trail Legacy Run Registration is Open! |
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Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors!
The Whitefish Trail relies on the generosity of trail users,
conservation-minded supporters, and local businesses to create a year-round, sustainable asset for future generations.
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Glacier Bank has been supporting the Whitefish Trail every year since the beginning. They are a permanent Founding Sponsor of the Whitefish Trail and continue to support conservation, education, and recreation in our community. For all of your banking needs, support a local bank that gives so much back to WLP and the Whitefish Trail.
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BNSF Railway has been sponsoring the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny since 2017! We truly appreciate their ongoing and consistent support of our work to secure permanent conservation, education, and recreation in our community. Thank you for giving back to the community so generously every year!
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Whitefish Legacy Partners
406-862-3880
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