News from your community trail! |
|
The Whitefish Trail Legacy Run is the perfect running event to end a busy season! Sign up today to enjoy crisp air and fall colors on your community trail.
This year, we are making some changes to the event to ensure safety for all participants. We have capped each race to help decrease crowding. Grab your spot TODAY, as we anticipate selling out.
-
50k Ultra Marathon - 200 runner cap (71 spots left)
-
Half Marathon - 200 runner cap (41 spots left)
-
10k - 125 runner cap (19 spots left)
-
5k - 190 runner cap (44 spots left)
-
Family Fun Run - 35 person cap (10 spots left)
In addition to race caps, we plan to spread out race start times and limit post-race celebrations with grab-and-go food at the Ultra, post-race snacks at the Legacy Run, and abbreviated award ceremonies. Aid-stations will follow health and safety guidelines to help keep participants and volunteers safe.
|
Buy Raffle Tickets!
This year we had to cancel the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, but the WT raffle is still alive! We are raffling off two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines, a season ski pass at Whitefish Mountain Resort, bike tool box, gift cards, and so much more!
Winners will be announced at the Whitefish Trail Legacy Run on October 3rd. No need to be present.
|
Want to volunteer?
We need FUN and motivated volunteers to help with aid-stations, course directions, course sweep, and general tasks. Volunteers are needed for both race days Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3, so pick one day or both.
|
|
|
|
Thank You Great Fish Challenge Donors! |
We are so thankful for the outpouring of support during this year's Great Fish Community Challenge! Over 300 donors have given to support our Holbrook Overlook project and WLP's ongoing conservation, education, and recreation programs. Our work is ONLY possible because of your generosity, so thank you for investing in the future of our local lands!
Get a percentage match on your gift, thanks to Whitefish Community Foundation and their Circle of Giving, and help us get to the finish line at Holbrook Overlook!
|
|
|
|
Mid-September Trail Report |
Taking in the morning views at Beaver Lake. |
September is our favorite time of year on the Whitefish Trail. It's the brief window of perfect weather between unbearable heat and snow! For those who have lived here long enough, you know not to trust fall. Its arguably Montana's most aesthetic season but it's also the most fickle. Seemingly at the flip of a switch, mother nature can upend ideals of autumn and lay down blizzards of snow and wind. Let this inspire you! If it's sunny, cool, and crisp in September, then get out there! These amazing days will eventually come to an end, and NOW is the time to take those last cherished adventures on the Whitefish Trail. Soon enough, trail shoes and mountain bikes will be traded for skis and snowshoes. |
Volunteer work day with First Interstate Bank
Volunteer trail crews have been busy at work this fall as moisture has improved soil conditions. Last week, 12 hardy volunteers from First Interstate Bank rehabbed trails at Lion Mountain, pulled weeds at the Whitefish Trail Learning Pavilion, sanded and stained the Skyles Lake Overlook bench, and brushed the accessible family loop. Additionally, volunteers from Applied Materials were out taking care of their Adopted section of trail between Skyles and Beaver.
The entire Whitefish Trail is in great shape for all types of non-motorized recreation. Relatively calm weather has keep trees at bay, and recent rains have improved soil moisture. The fall color show has started and will peak over the next month. Deciduous trees like aspen, cottonwood, and maples have started turning color, while western larch will be last, turning that hallmark golden yellow by the end of October.
|
|
|
|
Holbrook Overlook
Trail Construction begins!
|
We are excited to announce that our trail contractor has broken ground at Holbrook Overlook! This project has been years in the making starting with early collaboration between the Whitefish Face Working Group, Flathead National Forest, and the City of Whitefish. After years of planning, environmental review, public input, design, forest management, and fundraising, Holbrook Overlook is the first recreation development within the larger USFS Taylor Hellroaring project.
We would like to thank all our partners, donors, and volunteers who have given time, expertise, and money to make the project happen.
This fall, crews will be working on trail and trailhead construction. They will get as much done before the snow flies, and we anticipate a Grand Opening of Phase I before snow flies.
The Holbrook Overlook includes 3.5 miles of trail, a trailhead, and a family-friendly hub for picnicking and enjoying the views of the Flathead Valley. Phase I will offer upper trails and a few trailhead amenities to support winter access and enjoyment.
This project is made possible by Paul and Wendy Faganel, Rick and Sue Williams, Doug and Carolyn Kohrs, the Montana Recreational Trails Program, the National Forest Foundation, the Flathead County Resource Advisory Council, 2021 WLP Great Fish Challenge Donors, and our Whitefish Trail Friends and Family donors. THANK YOU ALL!
|
|
|
|
2021 WT Education Programs
This year we are excited to be back offering our regularly scheduled Education Programs on the Whitefish Trail. We are limiting group size and requiring pre-registration for all programs to ensure social distancing and proper Covid protocols for all participants.
More information can be found on our website.
|
|
September 19 - 2pm
Search for wild mushrooms and learn general classification and identification. Dale Johnson, who has been exploring the woods for mushrooms for twenty-five years, is leading this fall mushroom foraging expedition.Pre-registration is required and spots are limited.
|
|
September 22 - 10am
Join Shanti Yoga and WLP for a unique trail experience. Combine your love of nature, yoga, mindful movement, and meditation as we take standing stretches and gentle yoga postures, walk quietly, and sit at the Haskill Lake Overlook in silence. Pre-registration is required.
|
|
October 9 - 10am
Join the Stumptown Art Studio and WLP for a creative opportunity on trail. Get inspired by the fall colors and learn about local flora through the art of sketch, water color and nature journaling. All art materials will be provided. Meet at Lion Mountain trailhead. Pre-registration is required.
|
|
Welcome Jedd as WLP Program Manager! |
Jedd will be helping to expand WLP's development and fundraising efforts while also managing WLP's recreation programs. Originally from Philadephia, Jedd completed an undergraduate field semester in the Swan Valley and two terms with the Montana Conservation Corps based out of Kalispell. He has recently worked for MCC as a staff member, gotten married, finished a Master’s degree in Geography in Missoula, and completed a Fulbright Research grant in Slovenia on outdoor education in the Alps. He joins WLP to help conserve our ecosystem and ensure public access for generations to come.
Margosia transitions to Director of Lands & Partnerships
Margosia Jadkowski is excited to move into a new role as Director of Lands & Partnerships, working to position WLP as a conservation and recreation leader regionally and statewide and to collaborate closely with our agency partners on land management trends, strategy, and outreach.
We are excited to add a fourth full-time employee to further advance our mission. As we grow, so does our community impact. We are looking forward to a busy future of trail development, conservation, and education programs - only possible because of YOU, our donors. 🙏
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Spearheaded by dedicated volunteer Marvin Bernt, Applied Materials has been an Adopt-A-Trail crew since 2014, meticulously taking care of the Skyles to Beaver section of the Whitefish Trail. Their crews have performed essential maintenance tasks that help keep our trail in tip-top shape!
|
|
Led by Monte Gilman, Re/Max of Whitefish has been a devoted volunteer Adopt-A-Trail crew for seven years! Twice a year, they brush the corridor, clear drains, and rake the Rainbow Lake Section of the Whitefish Trail. For your local real estate needs, consider Re/Max of Whitefish!
|
|
Whitefish Legacy Partners
406-862-3880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
