Construction to begin on trail expansion

“Trail development and connectivity will renew Libby’s sense of identity by providing access to new areas of exploration for both residents and visitors,” reads Amy Hilland’s master thesis, “The Great Libby Area Trails Plan.”

That thesis is the starting point for the new trails system in the Libby area.

The project involves mapping unmarked trails, including existing logging roads, and connecting them to other trails by building new ones.

According to Marc McCully, work on the first of the new trails, which extend from the Cabinet View Golf Course to the Kootenai National Forest, is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 14-18, depending on weather.

On Wednesday, County Commissioner Mark Peck held an informational meeting to discuss the new Libby trails plan, which he described as a big, but non-aggressive reframing of trails around Libby.

Curious and supportive attendees came to the Venture Inn on Wednesday to discuss and ask questions about the proposed trails plan, which will include trails on the Flower Creek Complex, the Snowshoe Connection, Bobtail Ridge-Sheldon Mountain and Lincoln County Port Authority area.

“When we started talking about this, I think a lot of people were going, ‘Really, this is the future of Libby?’” Peck said, recalling the initial skepticism they received about the trails plan. “It’s part of the future of Libby.”

While the idea has been tossed around between different organizations for a long time, the plan got started when Hilland, a graduate student at Eastern Washington University, studied the area’s natural trails and mapped them out with help from the Montana Department of Commerce, the Big Sky Economic Development’s Trust Fund Program, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Lincoln County and the Libby Parks District.

Those involved are seeking to acquire grants to fund the project, McCully said, adding that the outcome may deviate somewhat from Hilland’s initial plan.