Final easements secured for Foy's to Blacktail Trail

The Flathead County commissioners on Feb. 9 approved permanent public trail easements that will set the stage for completion of the Foy’s to Blacktail Trail from Herron Park to Lakeside.

The easements for 8 miles of new trail are with six private landowners, the largest of which is Weyerhaeuser, formerly Plum Creek Timber Co. The timber company has been involved with the project since discussions began in 2001. Planning, fundraising, expanding Herron Park, building trails and securing easements has been underway for 15 years.

“We are very excited to see years of hard work and community support pay off for our local community,” Kelly O’Brien, chair of the nonprofit Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, said in a press release. “We are so grateful to the commission, to Flathead County Parks, to the six private landowners, and to hundreds of community members who made this possible.”

The nonprofit trail group has spearheaded the trail project.

The long-anticipated ridgeline trail connects the trail system at Herron Park with the trail system on U.S. Forest Service land above Lakeside. The trail is construction-ready, fully designed, surveyed and cleared of brush and trees. Foy’s to Blacktail Trails has engaged Terraflow Trail Systems of Whitefish to build the trail, which should begin this spring.

O’Brien said the trail should open this summer, pending anticipated funding from grants and private donors.

“We are applying for grants and have a good chance for success, but will also need to raise at least $30,000 from private supporters, meaning lots of individuals and businesses throughout the community,” O’Brien said.

Learn more at FoysToBlacktailTrails.org, or mail donations to FTBT, P.O. Box 81, Kalispell, MT 59903.