Bike path deal struck between CFAC, trail group

Another significant chunk of the Gateway to Glacier Trail network is in the works. The nonprofit trail group recently struck an agreement with Glencore, the parent company of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co., for a license agreement to run the trail through the company’s property along the east side of the Flathead River.

The license runs for 10 years and would allow for a trail through a corridor of the CFAC property, noted Gateway Trail director Seth Schnebel.

In the event CFAC terminates the license, the company has agreed to reimburse the group for the cost of the trail, with a cap, Schnebel explained.

Work on the trail could start as early as this summer. The idea is to start with a single-track trail and eventually, raise enough funds for an 8-foot wide path, Schnebel said.

The trail has some wet areas that would need special tread and they need to build a bridge over at least one creek, he said. Because the trail’s on private property, the group can use in-kind donations and volunteer help, he said.

CFAC owns several contiguous tracts of land along the east side of the Flathead River north of U.S. Highway 2. The path would be about three miles long and would be open for bikers and hikers when completed. The two parties have been in negotiations for two years now.

“We are pleased to be able to work successfully with local citizens to make this happen. The Gateway to Glacier Trail will be a great addition to the community. The Trail is being developed by a passionate group of local citizens who deserve our support. Glencore and Columbia Falls Aluminum Company are committed to being positive partners with our neighbors in the area and this is one example of that commitment,” said Cheryl Driscoll of Glencore.

The Gateway group spearheaded the drive to create a bike path from Hungry Horse to West Glacier. Last year, the section from Hungry Horse to West Glacier was completed and a gazebo was built in Hungry Horse.

This latest development would eventually allow a cyclist to ride off major highways from Columbia Falls all the way to Glacier National Park.

The only section without a bike path will be through the Bad Rock Canyon. That two-mile stretch won’t come until the state widens the highway there — a project that is still several years down the road.

The Gateway Group is currently fundraising for the new section of trail and another project that will improve and trails in the Cedar Flats area north of Columbia Falls.

This year, the trail group will celebrate the completion of the Hungry Horse Welcome Kiosk at 11 a.m. May 20. On June 24, it will once again host Peddle and Paddle, in which folks bike up the North Fork and then float down the Flathead River from Blankenship. The annual Pints for Paths in West Glacier is a brewfest with music on July 15.

The Peddle event will raise funds for Cedar Flats, while the Pints for Paths will raise funds for the CFAC project.