Welcome to the 2020 North Fork Trails Association activity calendar! Weather and other circumstances keep things a bit fluid, but the schedule below has most of the principle elements in place — enough for planning purposes, certainly.
(Had enough talk? Jump straight to the ctivities list.)
Scheduled Project Days
Unless there is a conflict with a significant North Fork event, most major projects are scheduled on the second Saturday of each month through October. The exception is the May project day, which is on the third Saturday.
Monthly Meetings
Regular NF Trails organizational meetings from late spring through fall are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm. (Early and late-season meetings may be held “down-valley” in order to encourage attendance by people who are not North Fork residents.) All meetings are potlucks, with the host providing the main course and everyone else chipping in with sides and desserts. The meeting in October is the NFTA annual meeting. Given the heavy overall North Fork summer activity schedule in July, there is no membership meeting that month.
“Trails Project Days”
The third Wednesday is designated as a “Trails Project Day.” These are typically events that require more flexible scheduling and will likely be announced with less lead time than the weekend projects. Basically, it means that if people show up on those days, there will be something interesting going on.
Training
Training activities (first aid, chainsaw usage, GPS, etc.) are listed as they firm up. So far, there is a First Aid/CPR/AED course on the schedule in mid-June.
Short-Notice Activities
Finally, a number of additional activities may be organized on short notice — a week or less — in response to events and personnel availability. (Yes, some of us have real lives — but only some of us.) Currently, these short notice get-togethers are announced on the email list but don’t necessarily show up on the calendar or Facebook page.
All that being said, here’s the fixed part of our calendar through the end of the year. Use the “Contact Us” page if you have questions.
May
Nothing scheduled due to COVID-19-related delays.
June
Saturday, June 1 – National Trails Day
Tuesday, June 16, 9:00am to 4:00pm – Bob Lee is providing First Aid/CPR/AED training with certification at Sondreson Hall. Please bring your lunch and drinks. The cost is $45. This class is limited to 10 individuals. Please contact Bil Walker 406-407-2764 or wkwalker@nvdi.com to reserve a spot. – CANCELED
Monday, June 29, 7:00pm – monthly meeting at the Rittenburg’s’s, 1276 Long Bow Trail, near Polebridge.
July
Saturday, July 4, noon – Polebridge 4th of July Parade, including a fundraiser for North Fork Trails! – CANCELED
Wednesday, July 8, 1:00pm-4:00pm – Summer Interlocal meeting at Sondreson Hall, sponsored this year by North Fork Trails Association. Volunteers needed!
Thursday, July 9, 8:30am [rescheduled from July 2] – Moran Basin Trail (Trail 2) maintenance in preparation for hike on the 18th. Will continue on Sunday, July 11, if necessary.
Saturday, July 11, 8:30am – Trails 3/26 (Pacific Northwest Trail) maintenance.
Wednesday, July 15, 8:30am – Trails project day, Pacific Northwest Trail (Hay Creek Trail #3 and Trail 26) .
Saturday, July 18, 9:00am – MWA sponsored Coal Ridge Lookout hike. Meet at the Polebridge Mercantile. Co-leaders: Bill Walker and Randy Kenyon. You must preregister for this hike through the Montana Wilderness Association web link. If hike shows as full, you can still get on the waiting list. There are usually several last-minute cancellations.
August
Sunday, August 2, 8:30am – Bonus project: One or both approaches to Thoma Lookout (T15/T18)) with other participants, including Border Patrol; depart from Leigh’s after an 8:30am breakfast.
Saturday, August 8, 8:30am – Trail maintenance; Chain Lake (T377).
Wednesday, August 12, 7:00pm – monthly meeting, Sondreson Hall, Whale Creek Bridge & North Fork Road; bring your own snack and drinks.
Wednesday, August 19, 8:30am – Trails project day, walk in to the Grizzly Inn on Trail 9 with folding saws and loppers.
September
Wednesday, September 9, 7:00pm – monthly meeting, location TBD.
Saturday, September 12, 8:30am – Trail 4 maintenance
Wednesday, September 16, 8:30am – Trail 4 wrap-up
Saturday, September 26 – National Public Lands Day.
October
Saturday, October 10, 9:00am – Canceled; conflicts with LeGrizz run.
Wednesday, October 14 – NFTA annual meeting and election of officers, Sondreson Hall, Bring your own drinks and snacks.
Wednesday, October 21, 9:00am – Coal Creek-Coal Ridge Trail hike (T239)
November
Saturday, November 7, 5:00pm – Canceled; end-of-season party?
Wednesday, November 11, 7:00pm – monthly meeting, location TBD