Nonprofit aims to unify mechanized trail groups

SEELEY LAKE - A new nonprofit has formed in hopes of unifying trails groups for the purpose of increasing mechanized trails in the area. Curtis Friede, Ken Brochu, Bill Swain and Jeff Micklitz presented the new nonprofit named Scenic Montana Trails at an informational meeting Dec. 2.

Scenic Montana Trails will consist of three user groups snowmobiles, off-highway motorized and mountain bikes. While the area boasts one of the state's largest groomed snowmobile trail system, there is very few trails for the other two groups. Scenic Montana Trails would work to improve the snowmobile trail system and create trails for mountain bikes and off-highway vehicles such as All Terrain Vehicles and Utility Terrain Vehicles (ATV/UTV).

Friede said the idea for the new mechanized trail group began two years ago when he was talking to the new Seeley Lake District Ranger Quinn Carver about building ATV/UTV trails. Carver told him that the only way to get new trails built is to have "numbers."

Carver explained that the Forest Service does not have the staff that it used to have. Projects like new trails don't get done without having groups that can provide the people to do the work and maintain the trails.

There is state and federal grant money for clubs to maintain trails just like the Driftriders snowmobile club has done for years in the area by grooming snowmobile trails.

"There are so many little groups taking little pieces of the pie. If everybody would come together there would be more leverage for more opportunities," said Carver.

By combining the three user groups into one it will provide a single organization to apply for funds and provide the man-power to build and maintain trails for all mechanized sports.

Swain said that there are a lot of opportunities for new summer and winter trails coming with the transfer of former Plum Creek timberland to the public agencies. The area stretches from Placid Lake south to Highway 200 and west to Gold Creek.

Because Plum Creek heavily logged the area there are already hundreds of miles of roads that could be converted to ATV/UTV trails. Carver added that grizzly bears and lynx are in the area but it is not in the recovery area for those animals.

Friede said that while there is not a local mountain bike group he expects it will grow rapidly because mountain biking is one of the country's fastest growing sports.

Scenic Montana Trails has been incorporated in the state and received 501(c)3 nonprofit status from the IRS. The ball is now in the hands of the snowmobile and ATV club members to decide if their clubs will dissolve and join.

Friede envisions that each of the groups will operate to a degree as their own clubs under Scenic Montana Trails as an umbrella. This lets the organization work towards the bigger picture, growing recreational opportunities in the area for mechanized sports.