Welcome to the 2022 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.
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.
July
Saturday, July 2, 8:00am – Moran Basin Trail (Trail 2) maintenance in preparation for hike on the 17th. Will continue on Saturday, July 10, if necessary.
Saturday, July 9, 8:00am – Begin maintenance on a local segment of the Pacific Northwest Trail running through the Hay Creek drainage (Hay Creek Tr #3 & a short segment of Whitefish Divide Tr #26). We’ll start at the T26 trailhead on forest road 115 about a half-mile (1km) west of Red Meadow Lake.
Wednesday, July 13, 1:00pm-4:00pm – Summer Interlocal meeting at Sondreson Hall, sponsored this year by North Fork Landowner’s Association.
Saturday, July 16, 9:00am – Wild Montana/NFTA 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 Wild Montana web link.
August
Wednesday, August 3, 8:00am – Antley Tepee Creek Trail #106: scouting and light maintenance. We’re particularly interested in the present southern terminus where the trail intersects Cleft Rock Tr #13 and also potentially continues south into Wedge Canyon.
Thursday, August 11, 8:00am – Hay Creek Trail #3: We hope to finish clearing the segment of the Pacific Northwest Trail the runs through this area. We did the western 2.5 miles a month ago; now we’re going after the remaining 4 miles from the eastern end.
Thursday, August 25, 6:00pm – NF Trails meeting at the Walker’s. Technically, it is a Board of Directors meeting, but it’s open to anyone who wishes to show up. We really want to involve as many people as possible. As usual, this is a dinner meeting, with the main course being provided by the host and other folks bringing sides.
September
Thursday, September 1, 8:00am – Trail #4: This is primarily a probe to determine trail conditions in preparation for future trail work. Departure from the Walker’s or meet at the trailhead a little later. Canceled; moved to September 17.
Saturday, September 10, 8:00am – Moose Creek Trail #9: Check condition of Grizzly Inn and possibly make minor repairs. Departure from the Walker’s or meet at the trailhead a little later.
Wednesday, September14, 6:00pm – NF Trails monthly meeting at the Walker’s. As usual, this is a dinner meeting, with the main course being provided by the host and other folks bringing sides. Please contact Bill Walker for details or to verify attendance.
Saturday, September 17, 9:00am – Trail #4: This is primarily a probe to determine trail conditions in preparation for future trail work. Departure from the Walker’s or meet at the trailhead a little later. This is a strenuous hike with a total altitude gain of abut 2000 feet (610m), but with some good views once we achieve the ridgetop. The total round trip distance is about 6 miles (9.7km). Contact Bill Walker for details.
Saturday, September 25 – National Public Lands Day.
October
Sunday, October 2, 3:00pm – 6:00pm, Launch party/public event for the Flathead Trails Association (FTA) at Haskill Creek Farms, 1202 Voerman Rd, just east of Whitefish. According to the FTA, “We hope to have all our trails partners present so that we can begin our work celebrating the work they do and bringing in new trail volunteers.” See this post for more information.
Wednesday, October 12, 6:00pm – North Fork Trails annual meeting and party at the Rittenburg’s, 1276 Long Bow Trail! No backpacks, Silky saws, loppers, mosquito repellent, leather gloves, safety glasses or clompy boots needed for this event!
The Rittenburgs will supply the main course and dessert, with the rest of us bringing side dishes. (If you can’t manage that part, show up anyways.) Please let us know if you are coming so that they can prepare accordingly!
[Rescheduled from Oct 8] Saturday, October 15, 9:00am – Coal Creek Coal Ridge Trail #239 & a short segment of Trail 14: This is our traditional season ending hike, weather permitting. We’ll hike from the trailhead on Coal Creek Road to the “Patrol Cabin” on Coal Ridge, a round-trip distance of about 4.5 miles (7.25km). Contact Bill Walker for details.
November
[tentative] Wednesday, November 9, 6:00pm – NF Trails monthly meeting at the Walker’s. As usual, this is a dinner meeting, with the main course being provided by the host and other folks bringing sides. Please contact Bill Walker for details or to verify attendance.