Plenty of Happenings for you to attend Saturday, September 10th, 2011

Saturday, September, 10th, 2011

Huckleberry Hillclimb - Mountain Bike Race

7am  Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish, MT
http://www.skiwhitefish.com/

7 – 8 am check in and late Registration for all racers
8:15 am: start at base of road.
9:00 am: start at Bike Shop.
11:30 am: Awards at Summit House.
Entry Fee: $25.00 per person

This traditional mountain bike race has evolved into a bicycle hillclimb from the bottom of Big Mountain Road to the Summit House. The length of the Ultimate King/Queen route is 13 miles, with 3700 vertical feet of climbing. The King/Queen route starts at the rental shop and is eight miles long with a 2,200 vertical climb. Helmets are required. Contact 862-2900 for more information.


The Swan Rangers
7:30 am meet at Echo Lake Cafe on the Swan Highway near Bigfork, MT for breakfast at 7:30 am, leaving at 8:30 for a partial day outing in the nearby Swan Range.  Those not wishing to join the group for breakfast can simply show up in the Swan River School parking lot across the street from the Echo Lake Café at 8:15 am to carpool for the day's outing.

Meeting times, a suggested gear list, and archived photo-reports of past Swan Ranger outings can all be found on the "hiking" page at http://www.swanrange.org./
This is a "stop and smell the roses" hiking club for folks of all skill levels.


Annual Polson, MT Fly-In - Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1122
8 am - 4 pm Polson Airport
Free Admission.

$5 Breakfast of pancakes, ham and eggs from 8am to Noon.
Aircraft on display, including float planes, homebuilt, experimental and antique aircraft.  Raffle prizes, concessions as well as airplane and helicopter rides.

Drawings for free AV Gas for pilots who fly into the fly-in. Kids can sign up for future Young Eagle rides.

Come out to the Polson airport on Saturday morning September 10th, have a great breakfast, see all the different aircraft.


Fifth Annual Raptor Day - IN MEMORY OF ROD ASH
8:00 am Lone Pine State Park, Kalispell, MT     
Join in the celebration of northwest Montana birds and commemorates the lifetime contribution of Rod Ash to conservation.

The following Raptor Day events are:
8 a.m. Early Risers Bird Walk led by Ben Young
10 a.m. Family Bird Walk led by Ansley Ford
11 a.m. Tribute to Rod Ash and Family Program featuring Denny “Critterman Olson
1:30 p.m. Status and Conservation of Raptors in the Northern Rockies with Dan Casey of The American Bird Conservancy
2:30 p.m. Conserving Raptors in the Mission Valley with Byron Crow of Montana Raptor Institute

There will also be educational booths,

including Wildlife Return’s live birds,

kids activities and food vendors available.

The event is co-sponsored by Flathead Audubon Society and Lone Pine State Park, with funding from the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation.

Admission is free for Montana residents.

For more information, contact Lone Pine State Park at 755-2706 or Ashley Mason of the Flathead Audubon Society at 755-2772.


31st Annual Whitefish, MT Soccer Games
9am Grouse Mountain and Smith Fields, Whitefish, MT

Adult teams both mens' and womens' will be competing from the major Montana cities, plus players from Washington, Idaho, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatoon. Fantastic tournament, Free for spectators...games will run from 9 am to 6 pm  both days. mailto:colin@markatton.net

Annual Fun Fly and Swap Meet
10 am - 4 pm Glacier RCers Flying Field, Kalispell, MT
Whitefish Stage Road 1 mile south of Highway 40, 6 miles north of Reserve

Event features flying exhibitions of radio controlled airplanes, including large planes, war planes, old bi-planes and jets.

Covered seating
Food and beverages will be available.
Prizes will be raffled each day.
Admission is $5 per car.


18th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show
10 am - 5 pm
Olsen Pioneer Park, Kalispell - east of Glacier Int'l Airport on Pioneer and Helena Flats Road.

NorthWest Antique Power Association 18th annual antique engine and tractor show  with Stationary engine displays; sawmill, shingles, woodturning, threshing & grinding demonstrations; blacksmithy, mini railroad rides, quilt show,and classic tractor parade at  1 pm.
Vendors and concessions.
$5.00 admission.


20th Annual Dayton Daze, Dayton, MT
10 am Idle Spur Saloon

The Chief Cliff Fire Service Area is sponsoring its 20th Annual Dayton Daze celebration at the Idle Spur Saloon on September 10th, 2011.

Sailboat rides at the Dayton Yacht Club from 10 am -3 pm

Wine tasting at the Mission Mountain Winery from 10 am -5 pm
Ladies Aid Bazaar at the Dayton Church with lunch from 11am -2 pm

Parade line-up at 2 pm with parade at 3 pm
Pig roast and music at the Idle Spur from 4:30 pm until closing

Be sure to buy a raffle ticket as the fire department is raffling off a $300 and $200 fuel voucher along with an assortment of other prizes.

For more information, contact Zoe Lilja at 849-5917 or Rhonda Walter 849-5686.


Raceway Park
Saturday, September 10th
7 pm - 10:30 pm
Miller Lite presents the Kalipsell Toyota Late Model Series Championship
and the Wild Hogs Bomber 50 presented by Heinz Henke and Young 6 Racing plus compacts

$12 per Adult;   $10 per Child

http://www.montanaracewaypark.com/
Raceway Park Location: Located 6 miles North of Kalispell off Highway 93
Operator: Montana Raceway Park, Inc.
Length & Shape: One quarter mile oval inside, 3/8 miles outside
Surface: Asphalt
Turns: Banked at 12'; length of turns 180' - width of turns 65'
Straight Stretch: (both sides); 300' long, 55 feet wide
Crash Walls: Front stretch 540', back stretch 531'
Start/Finish Line: Center of front straight stretch
Pit Capacity and Surface: 100 teams - Completely asphalt
Pit Locations: Next to track, back stretch wall
Control Tower: Center of main grandstands, 25' above track surface
Grandstand Capacity: 4,000


9th Annual Worldwide Paint Out  Riverside Park in Polson., MT
9 am Painters bring their your own equipment and check in.
4 pm Showing and sale of work and photos for IPAP 

Come watch the Artist ply their skills - Public welcome.

Event sponsored by Interational Plein Air Painters Organization and Sandpiper Art Gallery.
Contact: Sandpiper Art Gallery 406-883-5956

Consider taking this GNP hike. It will give you memories to recall for many years.

Otokomi Lake – 11 miles round trip

A strenuous hike with a 1900 ft. elevation gain.

Starting at the Rising Sun Motor Inn in Glacier National Park, follow the trail towards Otokomi Lake. The trail parallels the east side of Rose Creek. Rose creek drainage from St. Mary Lake to the headwaters of Otokomi Lake is dominated by a series of fast-moving water cascades, impressive waterfalls, and turquoise pools of water……..a photographers delight. Most of these sights cannot be seen, from the "Going To The Sun Road. It’s only by hiking this lovely trail that we can experience, such a peaceful bit of nature.

One of the numerous enjoyments of this hike is to view the outstanding colorful rocks that make up the Rose Basin in which Otokomi Lake sets. The rock walls surrounding the lake are a deep, dark, throbbing red. Within this red basin bright green highlights of the stunted alpine Douglas firs and meadow grass seem to almost glow in a clear blue sky above.

A day hike or short backpack from Rising Sun Motor Lodge to Otokomi Lake. The trail begins in the wooded St. Mary Valley, and climbs around a hillside to the west to enter the Rose Creek drainage.

The trail passes Rose Creek along the Lewis thrust fault to a low-elevation cirque lake among blocky, reddish mountains.

As you hike along Rose Creek, we will go through a forested area of juniper trees, Douglas fir, maple, and many other tall trees. On the ground you find wild roses, asters, paintbrush, fireweed and beargrass. This trail shows off nature at her best.

As you leave the creek side, we will climb the trail upward going back and forth on switchbacks then climb through a forest of Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine. The needles from these trees will make soft footing through here. This is a dense area with trees.

After hiking along the forested creek valley for 2.5 miles past pools and small waterfalls, you climb onto an open rockslide area and Suddenly, you hike out of the trees and find yourself high above Rose creek from here Goat Mountain is clearly visible across the lake. This impressive view of Goat Mountain as it rises to an altitude of 8,826 feet is spectacular.

As you approach the Otokomi Lake basin, you cross a large slope of scree (also called talus an accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, or valley shoulders) and avalanche area where one can easily visualize the glacial action that carved the U-shaped valley where talus slopes come down from Goat Mountain at 8826' to Otokomi Lake.

Just before reaching the lake, the trail passes Otokomi Campground (back country permit needed to camp here overnight), located to the left of the trail. The trail bends around to the south-west before arriving at the outlet to Otokomi Lake. The lake covers the floor of the Rose Basin, named for the ruddy argillite cliffs surrounding the cirque.

The remoteness of this lake with the striking view of the surrounding basin is a panorama of sheer beauty!

Thoughts of Summer -Firebrand Pass Trail – Glacier National Park

Firebrand Pass Trail

This day hike has Aspen groves, abundant wildflowers, huckleberries galore when in season, fantastic views, an elevation gain of 2,210 feet, limited shade, very little rain, and can be windy at times.


The Firebrand Pass Trail is a long way away from civilization and hiking in it's isolation is extraordinary. Outdoors people love this part of Montana for this reason - solitude.

The trailhead is located just below Marias Pass at mile marker 203 on US Highway 2 between West Glacier and East Glacier (on the southeastern border of Glacier National Park) next to the railroad tracks.

The parking area is along the BNSF Right of Way and the road to the parking area is somewhat difficult to see if traveling too fast. Decrease your car speed to below 15 mph before turning off Highway 2.

After parking your car in the parking area walk across the railroad tracks, being especially cautious to look and listen for numerous freight trains and the Amtrak passenger train passing by on the railroad tracks at 60 to 70 mph.

Look for the Firebrand trailhead sign near the gate.

Firebrand Pass is 4.8 miles each way.

The trail climbs gently following Coonsa Creek.

At 1.4 miles the trail junctions with the Autumn Creek Trail stay to the right for the Firebrand Pass Trail. The trail goes along the flanks of Calf Robe Mountain with views of Red Crow Mountain in the distance.

At 2.4 miles there is another Junction turn to the left for Firebrand Pass. The trail will continue up very steeply angling Southwest to Firebrand Pass.

Firebrand Pass is 4.8 miles from the trailhead, our lunch stop and our turning point to head back down the trail to your car.

Please remember anytime you are hiking in Glacier National Park that you are hiking deep into Grizzly and Black bear country. It is a must to know about bear safety when hiking in the wilderness. Each hiker should carry bear spray and know how to use it.





Calf Robe Mountain has an elevation of 7895 feet
is part of the Clark Range and is located approximately 6 miles northeast of Marias Pass in the southern portion of Glacier National Park. The Continental Divide passes over the summit of Calf Robe Mountain and makes an abrupt turn northward as it runs through the entirety of Glacier National Park to just north of Brown Pass at the International Border with Canada.


Red Crow Mountain has an elevation of 7891 feet
and is located in the remote southeastern corner of Glacier National Park just north of Firebrand Pass and is also a member of the Lewis and Clark Range.



Note: You can continue on to Ole Lake (another 3 miles) but the Firebrand Pass Trail will descend steeply 2,680 feet down to Ole Lake Campground - a free backcountry permit is required to camp overnight at Ole Lake Campground.

Thoughts of Summer - Glacier National Park - Kintla Lake Fishing

The remote setting of Kintla Lake

with it's spectacular scenery of Glacier National Park gives you a recipe for a wonderful fishing trip.

Kintla Lake is a beautiful lake that lies in the remote, wild, northwest corner of Glacier National Park.

Kintla Lake's remote setting, combined with the bumpy, slow ride, tend to keep visitor traffic and use of Kintla lake low.   A must see Kintla Lake in Glacier National Park is well worth the long and bumpy drive to reach it though.


A small campground at the end of the road and no other amenities to be found nearby create a great place for your remote fishing/camping trip. The fish in Kintla Lake are fun to catch.


Kintla Lake is over 8 miles in length and up to a mile wide in spots.
Kintla Lake is surrounded by towering mountains and lies in a spectacular setting.

The fishing in Kintla Lake is good for whitefish and cutthroat trout.
The fish eagerly rise to most small dry flies.
Small spoons on spin casting outfits work well too.

Motorized vessels are not allowed on Kintla Lake but it is an ideal place to fish using a canoe, pontoon boat, float tubes, or inflatable kayak. While Kintla Lake can be windy at times, the winds are usually light to moderate.  The huge size of Kintla Lake combined with the  very cold water can limit your fishing time when you use float tubes to fish.

Most of Kintla Lake and it's vicinity are used for camping or for hiking there is a fairly popular trailhead -the Boulder Pass Trail - used for overnight backpacking that begins at Kintla Lake.

This section of Glacier National Park is very remote and is prime habitat for grizzly bears,
be sure to take all necessary precautions for storing of food and when hiking in the area.

Thoughts Of Summer - Trial of the Cedars - Glacier National Park

Trail of the Cedars
This wheelchair-accessible tail in Glacier National Park is half mile boardwalk loop through an ancient cedar and hemlock forest is a favorite of families with small children and people with disabilities.

The bridge over Avalanche Gorge is a hightlight of the Trails of the Cedars Nature Trail.

The Interpretive Signs alont this trail describe the habitat and natural history of this rain forest area in Glacier National Parkl.

Avalanche Lake Trail

For those wanting to hike to Avalanche Lake the Trail of the Cedars continues on upward to the mountain-ringed Avalanche Lake.   The trail ascends 500 feet making the trail to Avalache  Lake one of the most accessible backcountry lakes in Glacier National Park.

The Trailhead is across from the Avalanche Creek Campground just 15 miles north of Apgar on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Thoughts of Summer - Glacier National Park - Two Medicine Hikes

The Two Medicine Valley is one of the best kept secrets of Glacier National Park making it is a great place for a quiet day hike.  Remember to wear comfortable hiking shoes,  take plenty take water, a snack or lunch, sunscreen, a hat, and bear spray. 

Oldman Lake Hike

6.1 miles one way

Elevation gain approximately 1468 feet

From the Two Medicine Campground this trail is reached by crossing the bridge below Pray Lake.  The trail starts by going right on the Pitamakan Pass Trail.  The trail turns up a Dry Fork Valley following along the base of Rising Wolf Mountain. at 1.3 miles  a series of falls come down the mountain and fade as the summer season advances. 


The trail then drops down to the valley floor at 1.6 miles and continues through forest and clearings below Rising Wolf Mountain.

The trails crosses Dry Fork at approximately 2.1 miles, then leaves the creek bottom and heads north up a rocky drainage to a junction....stay to the right at this junction.  Continue following this Pitimakan Pass Trail  as it climbs steadily and goes left up the valley - Red Mountain is on the right.  You will pass an unnamed lake sitting in a cirque on the side of Rising Wolf Mountain (you will not be able to see the water from the trail but you will be able to see the depression containing the lake).  The trail will next cross a large open area.

Now Pitamakan Pass Trail goes to the right - so follow the Oldman Lake trail to the left you will come to an open forest of whitebark pine then to the lake itself.  The far side of Oldman Lake abuts the steep slopes of Mount Morgan.

Scenic Point

3.6 miles one way

Elevation gain approximately 2099 feet

This hike follows the Mount Henry Trail from Two Medicine Road to Scenic Point.  The trail climb is long, steady and arduous.  The increasing panoramic views are worth the climb.

The trail head is 1/4 of a miles east of the ranger station on the south side of Two Medicine Road.  Go right on a short spur road looking for the Mount Henry Trail head about 50 feet in from the Two Medicine Road.

After passing though a forest for a short distance the trial crosses an area of young trees coming up through a litter of snags.  As the trail approaches Appistoki Creek you can see the effects of flooding in 1964 and 1975.  From here there is a short side trail that goes to the right overlooking Appistoki Falls - do not leave the Appistoki FAlls trail to get a better look - heed the warning signs as a slip could be fatal.

Go back to the main trail, now the Mount Henry Trail goes uphill to the left climbing steadily and soon begins a series of switchbacks and continues to climb and climb and climb.  This high country trail give an excellent example of the sub alpine and alpine conditions in Glacier National Park.

If you look back you will see Two Medicine Lake, Pray Lake, and a small portion of Upper Two Medicine Lake as well as several mountain peaks Appistoki, Sinopah, and Rising Sun.

Eventually you will leave all the trees behind as you continue to climb the trail.   This part of the trail can have very strong winds.   The trail tops out at about the 3 mile marker ending the steep climb.  Be careful not to slip on the steep talus slopes here and snow may even be on the trail - cross the snow carefully.  

Scenic Point is visible ahead.  

At 3.2 miles the trail swings out onto a broad, open rocky ridge.  At 3.6 miles the trail has reached the official "Scenic Point" and soon begins the descent towards East Glacier.  This is a great place for lunch and the turn around for you to head back down the trail.

Upper Two Medicine Lake

4.4 miles one way

Elevation gain approximately 331 feet

 

The trail head to Upper Two Medicine Lake begins west of the boat dock and camp supply store. Cross the bridge below Pray Lake and follow the Dawson Pass Trail to the left.  The trail follows above Two Medicine Lake.  The trail will begin to pull away from the lake and comes to a creek at about 2 miles.

2.9 miles on the trail the Dawson Pass Trail takes off the the right.

(At 3 miles you will encounter another trail that heads left back towards Two Medicine Lake....where you can make arrangements for a boat pick-up or drop-off  saving you hiking time if you choose.)

The trail crosses a tributary of Two Medicine Creek at 3.1 miles and Pumpelly Pillar is visible to the west.  3.2 miles a short side hike goes right to Twin Falls Junction. Return to the trail and continue on the trail heading toward Upper Two Medicine Lake. 

Bears often feed in this are - be sure you have your bear spray with you  - and be cautious, make noise and be alert for signs of bears.

Cobalt Lake Trail
5.7 miles one way
Elevation gain 1400 feet

The trail head is located west for the Two Medicine boat dock parking lot.  At two-tenths of a mile there will be a junction with the Paradise Point trail stay left for Colbalt Lake.  1.2 miles you will come to another junction with the Aster Falls trail stay right for Colbalt Lake.  You will cross Paradise Creek over a suspension bridge.  Coming to another junction with Two Medicine Pass trail at the 2.3 mile marker turn left for Cobalt Lake  (if you took the boat across Two Medicine Lake you will pick up the trail here.)

At 3.4 miles will be the junction to the Rockwell Falls spur.

Rockwell Falls

  The trail steeply climbs up from here and continues a gradual grade to Cobalt Lake 5.7 miles.

This moose was a nice surprise one day while hiking to Cobalt Lake.

Thoughts of Summer - The Highline Trail - Glacier National Park - Hiking

"Far away in northwestern Montana, hidden from view by clustering mountain peaks, lies an unmapped corner – the Crown of the Continent." -George Bird Grinnell (1901)


The spectacular Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road opens about the end of June and closes the first part of October.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road winds 52 miles through stunning glacial scenery, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.

Hiking trails allow everyone to steal glimpses of the heart of this majestic wilderness – Glacier National Park and its abundant wildlife, including bears, elk, moose, marmots, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.

The 7.6 mile Highline Trail offers opportunities for those with moderate hiking ability to explore deep into the park during summer.

The Highline Trail is across from the Logan Pass parking lot.  You hike north along the Garden Wall and just below the craggy Continental Divide.

If you are frightened by heights this trail might not be for you as the beginning of the trail has sharp drop offs right at the edge of the trail.

Enjoy the many beautiful panoramic views afforded from the Highline trail. Rock formations, flowers and occasional glimpses of mountain goats, big horn sheep and deer make this a most memorable 7.6 mile trip with a 200 feet gain to the Granite Park Chalet, a National Historic Landmark, where hikers with reservations http://www.graniteparkchalet.com/reservations.html can stay overnight.  

Be sure to take plenty of water with you as there is no shade or water along the way.

Also there is no FREE water available at the Granite Park Chalet (open June 28th to September 9th, 2011) but you can buy snacks, sodas, and bottled water at the Chalet during the summer season.


You can return to Logan Pass by retracing your footsteps on the same trail that you took from the Logan Pass Parking lot.........or you can hike down 4 miles (a 2,500-foot descent) from Granite Park Chalet on the Loop Trail and wait for a park shuttle to pick you up at the Loop.

Things to Remember
-No pets are allowed in the back country
-Trails are for hikers and horseback riders only, no bikes or other “vehicles” allowed (horses are not allowed on the Highline trail between Logan Pass and Granite Park Chalet)
-Parking is extremely limited at the Loop, Logan Pass and Swiftcurrent. Car pooling and the use of Glacier’s Shuttle System http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/shuttles.htmfor transportation is highly recommended.

Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail No. 77 just minutes from Mountain Lake Lodge

Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail No. 77
A great hike!!
Directions to the Trail
Turn Right onto Montana Highway 35 from the Mountain Lake Lodge in Woods Bay. Follow Montana Highway 35 for about three miles. Look for the half circle turnoff on the Flathead Lake side of the Highway 35.Keep an eye out for the Beardance Trail and Flathead Lake Trail sign just before the turnoff. The main trailhead marker is at the northern parking area.

Flathead Lake

PLACES: "Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail"

Flathead Beacon Article
by Lido Vizzutti, 8-15-10

"Pick up a trail guide under the “Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail No. 77” sign.
The numbered stations along the trail correspond to the numbers in the guide and discuss everything from fire – causing the “Cat Face” burn at the base of a tree – and mistletoe and insects to the history of the lake formation and the first people to inhabit the area.


The hike is not the easiest but not altogether strenuous. It starts out with a quick descent toward the lake. Remember, what you hike down, you must hike up.
Once at the bottom, a series of steep steps take you to the edge of the lake you can sit on the bench and look out over the vista.
Continuing to hike, you’ll cross a footbridge over Crane Creek and the climb back up begins."

http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/places_flathead_lake_interpretive_trail/19045/

Flathead Lake

Going to the Sun Road - Glacier National Park - is OPEN

http://www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jctF-fAqTY4&feature=related




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSoYM-JQjXQ&feature=related