A trail runs to it

The Daily Inter Lake

A new, mile-long trail above Herron Park affords outstanding views and expands access for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders exploring the land above the park. That's thanks to a crew of volunteers with the Foys to Blacktail Trails organization and the Montana Conservation Corps.

The new trail, a combination of single track and a wider section, is on the high point of a 320-acre piece of land that the trails group is working to purchase to secure long-term access to the trails above Herron Park that lead to Blacktail Mountain. The 320-acre parcel - the most heavily used section of the Foys to Blacktail Trail - is currently owned by The Conservation Fund. The trails group needs to raise $2.5 million by September 2009 to purchase the land from the fund.

Matt Brake, a member of the Foys to Blacktail Trails committee, helped to design and build the new trail. Never before had there been an existing trail to the high point on the property, which provides nearly 360-degree views of the Flathead Valley. Brake was operating a small excavator Friday, as he worked to carve out the wider part of the new trail. Parsons Kubota Bobcat donated the use of the excavator for the project.

"If you build it, they will come," he said, explaining his goal of raising awareness about the trails and their importance to the community. The trails group is hoping that everyone who uses the land above Herron Park donates to the fundraising effort. If the group can show a large grassroots effort to raise money, they are better able to attract larger donations or grants. Recently, Valley Bank offered as much as $20,000 in matching funds for any grants.

Brake got involved with Foys to Blacktail Trails last fall after mountain-biking and hiking the trails for about eight years. Over the years he watched some of the best trails above Herron Park get sold and developed into home sites. "The same thing will happen here unless we purchase it," he said. "It's such a close resource, it's pretty invaluable."

Working on the knoll above Brake last Friday, a crew of eight people from the Montana Conservation Corps wielded Pulaskis, mattocks and rakes and created a single-track trail loop. Five Flathead Valley students, ages 14-16, worked with crew leaders on MCC's Youth Engaged in Service program on the weeklong project. A grant from Plum Creek Timber Company paid for the MCC crew.

Temporary signs directing visitors to the new trail will be posted early next week near the Foys to Blacktail Trails kiosk installed near the boundary between Herron Park and The Conservation Fund parcel. From the parking lot at Herron Park to the beginning of the new trail is 1.4 miles, Brake said.

For more information or to donate to the effort, visit www.foystoblacktailtrails.org