A citizen-hosted blog focused on the outdoors.
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| West Shore State Park boat ramp. - Courtesy Montana State Parks |
The boat ramp at West Shore State Park has been extended by 15 feet to improve public access for boaters, Montana State Parks announced today.
“We were hearing from area residents that they were running out of ramp at West Shore which is our most popular site for early season launching on Flathead Lake,” Dave Landstrom, regional manager for State Parks, said in a statement. “So we fast-tracked the project and extended the ramp.”
The extension of the boat ramp cost $15,000 and was funded with Boat-In-Lieu (BIL) dollars, which was initiated by the 1993 Legislature at the request of Montana boaters who asked that a portion of the fees they paid for boat registrations go directly back into boating facility improvements.
West Shore State Park is known for its glacially carved rock that offers spectacular views of Flathead Lake and the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges. Last summer, West Shore had more than 16,500 visitors, a 4 percent increase over the previous year.
“We were hearing from area residents that they were running out of ramp at West Shore which is our most popular site for early season launching on Flathead Lake,” Dave Landstrom, regional manager for State Parks, said in a statement. “So we fast-tracked the project and extended the ramp.”
The extension of the boat ramp cost $15,000 and was funded with Boat-In-Lieu (BIL) dollars, which was initiated by the 1993 Legislature at the request of Montana boaters who asked that a portion of the fees they paid for boat registrations go directly back into boating facility improvements.
West Shore State Park is known for its glacially carved rock that offers spectacular views of Flathead Lake and the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges. Last summer, West Shore had more than 16,500 visitors, a 4 percent increase over the previous year.
Comments (0) TotalWarm temperatures are expected to return this week just in time for the opening of several campgrounds throughout the Flathead National Forest.
Campgrounds at Big Creek, Emery Bay, Holland Lake, Swan Lake, and Tally Lake will open to the public Friday, May 11, along with the Doris Point Boat Launch, according to the Forest Service. Other sites will open later in the month. The Doris Creek and Lost Johnny Campgrounds are scheduled to open May 18. Depending on weather conditions, the Lid Creek Campground is scheduled to open May 24.
The Forest Services is reminding campers and visitors that by law all food and food-related items must be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Campers are also reminded to be careful with fire and make sure all fires are “dead out” before leaving.
Most campsites are first-come first-serve but some can be reserved beforehand. This year reservations can be made online. Or call 1-877-444-6777.
Big Creek Campground is about 20 miles north of Columbia Falls along the North Fork of the Flathead River. There are 22 campsites and a group site. The fee is $13 per night and there's an additional fee for the group site. The day-use area, which includes a boat launch, has a day-use fee of $4 per vehicle, or a season for $30. For more information contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.
Emery Bay Campground is on the east shore of the Hungry Horse Reservoir off Road 38, approximately six miles from Martin City. There are 26 campsites and two group sites. Amenities include a boat ramp and water. Single units are $13 per night. For more information contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.
Holland Lake Campground is about an hour and a half southeast of Bigfork, about 10 miles south of Condon on Montana Highway 83. There are 27 sites available and 13 individual campsites. The fee is $15 per night. A group site is also available for reservation. For more information contact the Swan Lake District Office at 837-7500.
Swan Lake Campground is directly south of the community of Swan Lake, approximately 15 miles southeast of Bigfork on Highway 83. The campground offers 36 family-sized campsites and a group site. Eleven of the family sites and the group site are available by reservation. The remaining camp sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis. The fee is $15 per night. There is a $25 fee for the group site plus a $15 fee for vehicle at the group site. The day-use area, across the highway from the campground, includes a boat launch, beach and a day-use group site that can be reserved. The day-use fee is $4 per vehicle, or a season pass for $30.
Tally Lake Campground is about 12 miles west of Whitefish, and offers a wide variety of recreation facilities and activities. The campground has 40 campsites and a boat launch, open air pavilion, beach area, picnic site and water. A camp host is on site during the summer months. The site has parking for 50 vehicles, a double vault toilet, picnic tables, fire grill, group fire ring, horse pit, volleyball court and nature trail. There are several trails nearby and two trails within the campground. One group site and the pavilion can be reserved.
Doris Point Boat Launch is about eight miles south of Hungry Horse on the West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road. The site features a two-lane boat ramp with a dock, parking for approximately 70 vehicles with trailers, two vault toilets and a day-use picnic area. The day-use fee is $4 per vehicle or a season pass is available for $30. For more information contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.
Campgrounds at Big Creek, Emery Bay, Holland Lake, Swan Lake, and Tally Lake will open to the public Friday, May 11, along with the Doris Point Boat Launch, according to the Forest Service. Other sites will open later in the month. The Doris Creek and Lost Johnny Campgrounds are scheduled to open May 18. Depending on weather conditions, the Lid Creek Campground is scheduled to open May 24.
The Forest Services is reminding campers and visitors that by law all food and food-related items must be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Campers are also reminded to be careful with fire and make sure all fires are “dead out” before leaving.
Most campsites are first-come first-serve but some can be reserved beforehand. This year reservations can be made online. Or call 1-877-444-6777.
Big Creek Campground is about 20 miles north of Columbia Falls along the North Fork of the Flathead River. There are 22 campsites and a group site. The fee is $13 per night and there's an additional fee for the group site. The day-use area, which includes a boat launch, has a day-use fee of $4 per vehicle, or a season for $30. For more information contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.
Emery Bay Campground is on the east shore of the Hungry Horse Reservoir off Road 38, approximately six miles from Martin City. There are 26 campsites and two group sites. Amenities include a boat ramp and water. Single units are $13 per night. For more information contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.
Holland Lake Campground is about an hour and a half southeast of Bigfork, about 10 miles south of Condon on Montana Highway 83. There are 27 sites available and 13 individual campsites. The fee is $15 per night. A group site is also available for reservation. For more information contact the Swan Lake District Office at 837-7500.
Swan Lake Campground is directly south of the community of Swan Lake, approximately 15 miles southeast of Bigfork on Highway 83. The campground offers 36 family-sized campsites and a group site. Eleven of the family sites and the group site are available by reservation. The remaining camp sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis. The fee is $15 per night. There is a $25 fee for the group site plus a $15 fee for vehicle at the group site. The day-use area, across the highway from the campground, includes a boat launch, beach and a day-use group site that can be reserved. The day-use fee is $4 per vehicle, or a season pass for $30.
Tally Lake Campground is about 12 miles west of Whitefish, and offers a wide variety of recreation facilities and activities. The campground has 40 campsites and a boat launch, open air pavilion, beach area, picnic site and water. A camp host is on site during the summer months. The site has parking for 50 vehicles, a double vault toilet, picnic tables, fire grill, group fire ring, horse pit, volleyball court and nature trail. There are several trails nearby and two trails within the campground. One group site and the pavilion can be reserved.
Doris Point Boat Launch is about eight miles south of Hungry Horse on the West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road. The site features a two-lane boat ramp with a dock, parking for approximately 70 vehicles with trailers, two vault toilets and a day-use picnic area. The day-use fee is $4 per vehicle or a season pass is available for $30. For more information contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.
Comments (3) TotalFaye Krueger is the new regional forester for the U.S. Forest Service's Northern Region based in Missoula, USFS chief Tom Tidwell announced Friday.
Krueger replaces Leslie Weldon, who moved to the agency’s Washington office last year to take over the position as the deputy chief of the national forest system. Krueger was named the associate deputy chief in 2011. Before that she served as deputy regional forester for the USFS Southwestern Region since 2008.
“Faye’s experience and focus on collaboration make her an excellent leader for our northern regional office in Missoula,” Tidwell said in a statement. “As a lifelong forester and outdoors enthusiast, she’ll bring passion and common sense to our 25 million acres of northern forests and grasslands.”
A Forest Service employee since 1980, Krueger has held positions on the Payette National Forest in Idaho, the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands in Dickinson, N.D., the Gallatin National Forest, the Tongass National Forest in Thorne Bay, Alaska, and the Caribou National Forest in Idaho.
The Northern Region encompasses 25 million acres over five states, and includes 12 National Forests within the perimeter of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho and Montana. The region is home to 16 congressionally designated Wilderness areas, six National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and 2,539 miles of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and much more.
Krueger holds a Bachelor of Science in forestry from the University of Montana and is married with two grown children and one grandchild.
Krueger replaces Leslie Weldon, who moved to the agency’s Washington office last year to take over the position as the deputy chief of the national forest system. Krueger was named the associate deputy chief in 2011. Before that she served as deputy regional forester for the USFS Southwestern Region since 2008.
“Faye’s experience and focus on collaboration make her an excellent leader for our northern regional office in Missoula,” Tidwell said in a statement. “As a lifelong forester and outdoors enthusiast, she’ll bring passion and common sense to our 25 million acres of northern forests and grasslands.”
A Forest Service employee since 1980, Krueger has held positions on the Payette National Forest in Idaho, the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands in Dickinson, N.D., the Gallatin National Forest, the Tongass National Forest in Thorne Bay, Alaska, and the Caribou National Forest in Idaho.
The Northern Region encompasses 25 million acres over five states, and includes 12 National Forests within the perimeter of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho and Montana. The region is home to 16 congressionally designated Wilderness areas, six National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and 2,539 miles of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and much more.
Krueger holds a Bachelor of Science in forestry from the University of Montana and is married with two grown children and one grandchild.
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| Jim Vashro with his award at the MWF meeting last Saturday in Helena. - Courtesy Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks |
Jim Vashro, the Region 1 fisheries manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, was recently recognized for his extensive work over the last 30 years across Northwest Montana.
The Montana Wildlife Federation awarded Vashro the Special Conservation Achievement Award at the MWF's 77th annual meeting April 28 in Helena.
Vashro, from Kalispell, has been the fisheries manager in Northwest Montana for over 30 years. Some of his major accomplishments include establishing family fishing ponds across Northwest Montana; organizing and leading education activities with kids; developing new fishing access sites including Pine Grove Pond and Lake Five; crusading against illegal fish introductions; and establishing wilderness regulations in the South Fork Flathead River.
“Over the course of his career, Jim has probably taught more kids to fish than anyone else in the state,” Region One Supervisor Jim Satterfield said in a statement. “Also, anyone who has cast a line in northwest Montana is indebted to Jim’s tireless fish management efforts.”
Vashro has been a recognized leader in the area of family fishing ponds (most recently Pine Grove Pond) and youth angling education. He has also helped establish relationships with sporting groups around Northwest Montana, the FWP said.
“Jim’s efforts have touched the lives of many children and their families," MWF President Tim Aldrich said during the award ceremony. "He has established urban fisheries at Buffalo Head Pond, Shady Lane Pond, Dry Bridge Pond, Troy Pond and Ninepipe Pond. He’s developed handicapped accessible facilities at Smith Lake, Shady Land Pond and Snappy’s Sport Senter. The scope of these efforts and the results achieved for people and sport fishing are truly exemplary.”
The Montana Wildlife Federation awarded Vashro the Special Conservation Achievement Award at the MWF's 77th annual meeting April 28 in Helena.
Vashro, from Kalispell, has been the fisheries manager in Northwest Montana for over 30 years. Some of his major accomplishments include establishing family fishing ponds across Northwest Montana; organizing and leading education activities with kids; developing new fishing access sites including Pine Grove Pond and Lake Five; crusading against illegal fish introductions; and establishing wilderness regulations in the South Fork Flathead River.
“Over the course of his career, Jim has probably taught more kids to fish than anyone else in the state,” Region One Supervisor Jim Satterfield said in a statement. “Also, anyone who has cast a line in northwest Montana is indebted to Jim’s tireless fish management efforts.”
Vashro has been a recognized leader in the area of family fishing ponds (most recently Pine Grove Pond) and youth angling education. He has also helped establish relationships with sporting groups around Northwest Montana, the FWP said.
“Jim’s efforts have touched the lives of many children and their families," MWF President Tim Aldrich said during the award ceremony. "He has established urban fisheries at Buffalo Head Pond, Shady Lane Pond, Dry Bridge Pond, Troy Pond and Ninepipe Pond. He’s developed handicapped accessible facilities at Smith Lake, Shady Land Pond and Snappy’s Sport Senter. The scope of these efforts and the results achieved for people and sport fishing are truly exemplary.”
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Lake McDonald on the Rocky Point Nature Trail. - File photo by Justin Franz/Flathead Beacon |
Many of the campgrounds in Glacier National Park are opening for the summer season in the coming weeks, beginning with Apgar Campground on the west side of the park on Friday, May 4.
St. Mary Campground on the east side will open with services on May 14. Additional campgrounds will open as the season progresses.
The seven-day single vehicle entrance fee for Glacier National Park is $25 and a seven-day single entrance (hiker, bicyclist or motorcyclist) is $12. An annual pass for unlimited access for one year is available for $35.
Here's a listing of scheduled campground openings:
Most campgrounds have water available, but there are no electrical or water hookups at any campground in the park. Water is not available when a campground is in primitive status. Many campgrounds can accommodate campers and trailers, with some size restrictions. Specific information about each campground, including a map of the sites, is available online, or by calling toll free 877-444-6777.
All campgrounds in primitive status cost a $10 night. Any water taken from streams or lakes requires treatment before use. Primitive and winter front-country campgrounds include pit toilets, no running water and only a limited number of sites.
Group campsites are available at Apgar, Many Glacier, St. Mary and Two Medicine Campgrounds. Hiker/bicyclist sites are available at Apgar, Avalanche, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, Sprague Creek, and Two Medicine Campgrounds for $5 per person/per night, and through reservation at St. Mary for $8 per person/per night.
St. Mary Campground on the east side will open with services on May 14. Additional campgrounds will open as the season progresses.
The seven-day single vehicle entrance fee for Glacier National Park is $25 and a seven-day single entrance (hiker, bicyclist or motorcyclist) is $12. An annual pass for unlimited access for one year is available for $35.
Here's a listing of scheduled campground openings:
Avalanche: June 8 –September 2
Bowman Lake: May 25 – September 9
Cut Bank: June 8 – September 2
Fish Creek: June 1 – September 2
Kintla Lake: May 25 - September 9
Logging Creek: July 1 – September 23
Many Glacier: May 25 – September 16
Quartz Creek: July 1 – October 30
Rising Sun: May 25 – September 9
Sprague Creek: May 11 – September 9
St. Mary: May 14 – September 16
Two Medicine: May 25 – September 16
Most campgrounds have water available, but there are no electrical or water hookups at any campground in the park. Water is not available when a campground is in primitive status. Many campgrounds can accommodate campers and trailers, with some size restrictions. Specific information about each campground, including a map of the sites, is available online, or by calling toll free 877-444-6777.
All campgrounds in primitive status cost a $10 night. Any water taken from streams or lakes requires treatment before use. Primitive and winter front-country campgrounds include pit toilets, no running water and only a limited number of sites.
Group campsites are available at Apgar, Many Glacier, St. Mary and Two Medicine Campgrounds. Hiker/bicyclist sites are available at Apgar, Avalanche, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, Sprague Creek, and Two Medicine Campgrounds for $5 per person/per night, and through reservation at St. Mary for $8 per person/per night.
Comments (0) TotalThe caribou that was rescued in Montana last week has recovered and been released into the wild this past weekend, according to British Columbia wildlife officials.
Montana FWP biologists rescued the female caribou in upper Pinkham Creek after finding the injured animal succumbed to apparent tick paralysis. The caribou was transferred to British Columbia wildlife staff for holding until it recovered. This past weekend, the caribou could walk again and appeared healthy. The caribou was returned to the Purcell Mountain high country, FWP said.
“They were able to release her on a ridge just above 10 resident caribou” said Jim Williams, FWP Region 1 wildlife program manager. “When they lifted off she was observed walking in their direction.”
Wildlife managers are hoping the caribou will survive and add to the gene pool of the resident population in the Cranbrook, B.C. area.
Follow the caribou’s progress and find other current information on wildlife on FWP’s new Region 1 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MontanaFWP.R1
Montana FWP biologists rescued the female caribou in upper Pinkham Creek after finding the injured animal succumbed to apparent tick paralysis. The caribou was transferred to British Columbia wildlife staff for holding until it recovered. This past weekend, the caribou could walk again and appeared healthy. The caribou was returned to the Purcell Mountain high country, FWP said.
“They were able to release her on a ridge just above 10 resident caribou” said Jim Williams, FWP Region 1 wildlife program manager. “When they lifted off she was observed walking in their direction.”
Wildlife managers are hoping the caribou will survive and add to the gene pool of the resident population in the Cranbrook, B.C. area.
Follow the caribou’s progress and find other current information on wildlife on FWP’s new Region 1 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MontanaFWP.R1
Comments (0) TotalGlacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright and Deputy Superintendent Kym Hall will appear at two community meetings and share updates about the upcoming summer inside the park, including information about programs and Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation.
The park officials will also discuss spring plowing, aquatic invasive species management, the Lake McDonald cabin management plan, and the role of social media with the park.
A west-side meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls. An east-side meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier.
Following presentations, there will be a question and answer period and opportunity for informal conversations. Community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about what’s happening at the park.
The park officials will also discuss spring plowing, aquatic invasive species management, the Lake McDonald cabin management plan, and the role of social media with the park.
A west-side meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls. An east-side meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier.
Following presentations, there will be a question and answer period and opportunity for informal conversations. Community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about what’s happening at the park.
Comments (0) TotalLove to spend time on the lake?
The Northwest Montana Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Network is seeking lake property owners and/or homeowners, summer cabin owners, recreationists and people simply interested in lakes to become volunteer monitors. There are currently 42 lakes in the program, and many are in need of a volunteer.
Volunteers will receive training and equipment to assist in data collection. However, volunteers will need their own boat. Training will be offered in spring and monitoring will begin late spring/early summer of 2012. Volunteers will be asked to monitor their lake(s) twice per month, weather permitting, and will spend one day with the Whitefish Lake Institute staff collecting water chemistry data.
Perspective volunteers are also encouraged to attend the volunteer party May 12 from 4-7 at Lone Pine State Park.
The spring training dates are:
May 12 (Saturday) - 10-11:30 a.m., City Beach, Whitefish
May 13 (Sunday) - 3-4:30 p.m., Wayfarers State Park, Bigfork
May 15 (Tuesday - 4:30 - 6 p.m., City Beach, Whitefish
To learn more, visit www.nwmtlvmn.com. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or you know someone who is, contact the Whitefish Lake Institute at 406.862.4327, or send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The Northwest Montana Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Network is seeking lake property owners and/or homeowners, summer cabin owners, recreationists and people simply interested in lakes to become volunteer monitors. There are currently 42 lakes in the program, and many are in need of a volunteer.
Volunteers will receive training and equipment to assist in data collection. However, volunteers will need their own boat. Training will be offered in spring and monitoring will begin late spring/early summer of 2012. Volunteers will be asked to monitor their lake(s) twice per month, weather permitting, and will spend one day with the Whitefish Lake Institute staff collecting water chemistry data.
Perspective volunteers are also encouraged to attend the volunteer party May 12 from 4-7 at Lone Pine State Park.
The spring training dates are:
May 12 (Saturday) - 10-11:30 a.m., City Beach, Whitefish
May 13 (Sunday) - 3-4:30 p.m., Wayfarers State Park, Bigfork
May 15 (Tuesday - 4:30 - 6 p.m., City Beach, Whitefish
To learn more, visit www.nwmtlvmn.com. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or you know someone who is, contact the Whitefish Lake Institute at 406.862.4327, or send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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