MWA offers free, guided hike for veterans

Submitted by Grete Gansauer

Get together with veterans and non-veterans alike to enjoy a winter-ecology field day where we’ll take it all in. We will focus in on identifying evergreen plants, forest and deciduous trees, mammal and bird tracks, sign and scat. Please come prepared with proper dress, good boots, snowshoes (we have a few extra), lunch, water, cameras and binoculars.

This is a free, guided hike sponsored by Montana Wilderness Association’s Winter Wilderness Walks program. The hike will be lead by seasoned naturalist Brian Baxter of Libby. The group will meet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 11, at the Venture Inn in Libby. From there, we will carpool to the trailhead in the Kootenai National Forest. The hike will be approximately three miles long with less than 600 feet of elevation gain.

Participants must sign up at wildmontana.org/walks under the “Winter Wilderness Walks” heading. Participants should select hike 15: “Veteran’s Valentine’s Day Venture”. Participants will receive more information about hike location after registration. Children over 10 years of age with genuine interest are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

For more information or for questions regarding registration, please contact Baxter at b_baxter53@yahoo.com or at (406)291-2154.

Montana Wilderness Association works with communities to protect Montana’s wilderness heritage, quiet beauty and outdoor traditions, now and for future generations. Established in 1958 by Montanans who were instrumental in the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964,

Montana Wilderness Association has since worked for the designation of virtually every wilderness area in the state, as well as Wild and Scenic designations for suitable stretches of the Flathead and Missouri rivers. For additional information about Montana Wilderness Association please visit: wildmontana.org.