On Bob Marshall's legacy

On the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 28, 1928, Bob Marshall departed Kalispell to embark on an eight-day hiking trip that would cover 288 miles and cross landmarks such as Mount Aeneus, White River Pass, the Chinese Wall, Big Prairie, Gordon Pass and Holland Pass and end at the Seeley Post Office.

Bob averaged 36 miles a day including “evening strolls” taken after dinner each evening.  Bob was 28 at the time and continued to put down epic hikes throughout his life and even courted gals who could match his stride for 20 miles.

His greatest life accomplishment, however, was to spearhead the public initiative for the protection of wild lands. In 1935, he helped form the Wilderness Society and was its first donor, contributing $1,000.

He used his social position and influence to support the initiative for the preservation of large tracts of roadless areas in the U.S. His career advanced to Chief of the Forest Service Division of Recreation and Lands in Washington, D.C., but he took months of time off to hike and explore open lands and draw maps to outline the areas he would propose to be designated as federal primitive areas. He then wrote the outline for legislation that would create federally protected primitive areas that would later become part of the Federal Wilderness Preservation System.

Sadly, Bob Marshall died of unknown causes in 1939 at the age of 38. Nonetheless, his energy and legacy came to fruition 50 years ago in 1964 with the passing of the Wilderness Act.

The Bob Marshall Wilderness, the crown jewel of the Wilderness Preservation System, was named in his honor and makes a worthy monument to his memory. “The Bob,” as it’s affectionately called, holds a special place in the hearts of Montanans and contains one of the most spectacular landscape features in the U.S. — the Chinese Wall.   

A celebration of 50 years of wilderness will take place at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Stewart Branborg, who pushed the Wilderness Act through its last steps in Congress after its author, Howard Zahniser, died the year before.

The event will also highlight the Forest Service’s Ninemile mule pack string, the National Leave No Trace trainers, activities for kids, a Montana barbecue, free anniversary cake and prizes for folks who come dressed as Bob Marshall. For more information, visit online at www.bmwf.org/events or call 387-3847.

The celebration is sponsored by Flathead area conservation organizations and agencies, including the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Flathead Audubon, Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Headwaters Montana, Montana Wilderness Association, Sustainability Fund, Swan Rangers and The Wilderness Society.

Carol Treadwell is the executive director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation.