Cyclone Lookout, Flathead National Forest, May 15, 2023 – W. K. Walker
Cyclone Lookout Trail No. 40 is open. The trail needed very little work — a couple of small trees in the way and some minor brushing out. The golden-mantled ground squirrels (aka “giant chipmunks”) that live around the base of the tower are already up and active.
The trail is a moderate 2.77 mile (4.5 km) hike to the top of Cyclone Peak at 6000 feet (1830 m).
Good article . . .
From the Chief Mountain port of entry on the Montana-Canada border, a dedicated hiker can follow a series of backcountry trails, bike paths, old rail beds, paved roads, bushwhacks, and cow paths, all the way to the beach of Cape Alava, Wash., the westernmost point in the continental United States.
This stitched-together route connecting Glacier National Park and Olympic National Park, known as the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT), stretches 1,200 miles, “from the Rockies to the sea,” crossing seven National Forests, six wilderness areas, and three national parks, as well as tribal, municipal, and private lands in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
In December, the U.S. Forest Service released the final version of the PNT comprehensive plan, a document which outlines a vision for the non-motorized trail and provides guideposts for management, conservation and use into the future. The trail has only existed in its official capacity for 15 years, and like other early national scenic trails “much more work is needed to complete the optimal route from end to end,” the plan states.
Grizzly Inn repair, new roof almost finished, Sep 19-20, 2023 – photo by Ryan Powell, USFS
Apologies for not posting this right away, but the Grizzly Inn now has a long-overdue new roof. Many thanks to the Forest Service personnel who, working in less than ideal conditions at a very remote location, put a lot of effort into a project that spread across three days and at least one overnight stay.
See our earlier post for more detail on this effort and its historical significance.
The Flathead Trails Association (FTA) has just introduced an illustrated map of the valley. On the back, are descriptions of the member organizations Including our own!) with QR codes linking to their web sites . . .
For an outdoor enthusiast in northwest Montana, opting for a trail-based adventure brings myriad options for choosing a map to help plan your outing…
…Now, however, there’s a comprehensive guide to the Flathead Valley’s recreational opportunities, a long-time-coming initiative by the Flathead Trails Association (FTA) that locals and visitors alike can use to plan, discover and learn about the outdoor scene in our own backyard.
Roofing work on the Grizzly Inn is almost finished thanks to the efforts of a US Forest Service repair crew led by Ryan Powell, Heritage Program Manager for the Flathead National Forest.
Originally called the “Nasukoin Cabin,” the Grizzly Inn got its current name back in the 60’s when Chuck Jonkel spent a lot of time there doing his early, foundational grizzly bear research. It has been around for better than 80 years and likely much longer ago than that — Ralph Thayer inscribed his name on the north wall on April 22, 1942. Until recently, the Grizzly Inn was maintained by “traveler’s code.” Folks who used it made repairs.
On September 19-20, the Forest Service started a badly needed update to the roof, which had been badly damaged by (of course!) a bear a few years ago. They ran out of time on the first visit, but should have the remaining work wrapped up within the next few days. Here are a few photos from that effort . . .
Grizzly Inn hike, including Forest Service repair crew, September 19, 2023. From left to right: Josh Heflin (USFS), Cole Osbrink (USFS), Randy Kenyon & Numa (NF Trails), Polly Preston (NF Trails) and Ryan Powell (USFS). – W. K. Walker
Grizzly Inn repair, old roof removed, Sep 19-20, 2023 – Photo by Ryan Powell, USFS
Grizzly Inn repair, new roof almost finished, Sep 19-20, 2023 – photo by Ryan Powell, USFS
Clearing Glacier View Mountain Trail #381, May 16, 2022 – W. K. Walker (full res version)
It’s done! Finally! Here’s the official announcement . . .
The North Fork Trails Association (NFTA) and the Flathead National Forest now have a Challenge Cost Share Agreement wherein we plan to do collaborative stewardship for the trails system in the North Fork of the Flathead area. North Fork Trails will cooperate with the Flathead Forest to track conditions of trails, maintain trails and trail signs, and provide trail awareness and education to visitors to the trail system, including the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. The forest is providing funding to NFTA so that its members can perform this trail stewardship work in coordination with the forest. We are really proud of the work we have done together and want to share this success with others.
