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New trails connect three scenic lakes

by Matt Baldwin / Whitefish Pilot
| October 28, 2015 11:45 PM

The expanse of recreational opportunities along the Whitefish Trail were expanded by a number of miles this summer with the addition of new trails in the Dollar Lake and Spencer Mountain areas.

A new low-profile trailhead has been established at Dollar Lake, located 6 miles up Beaver Lake Road. From the access point, trails connect to three scenic lakes including the Dollar, Beaver and Little Beaver lakes. A separate spur trail climbs from Dollar Lake up to the Whitefish Lake scenic overlook loop trail above Woods Lake.

Whitefish Legacy Partners program director Carla Belski notes that the new offerings are a mix of newly constructed trail and road-to-trail conversions.

“These trails are great for families,” she said. “The distances aren’t too long and you’re hiking along the lake.”

“People we’ve talked to are excited to have this new access to three lakes that haven’t had access before.”

Hikers, bikers and equestrians are all allowed on the trails.

The trails were designed by David Noftsinger and Greg Gunderson of Forestoration. Pete Costain with Terraflow Trail Systems, Darren Pfeifle with Montana Made Trails and Jimmy Deats with JD Thinning all worked on the project.

The new trailhead offers parking, small informational signs and lake access for carry-in boats.

The area around Dollar Lake has long been a favorite spot for camping. Belski notes that camping on the state land is still allowed, but that the trailhead will be closed to campers and a gate will block vehicle access to the lake. One area along the lake’s shore that has seen heavy camping impacts will be reclaimed with native plants.

Financing for the Dollar Lake trail work came from a state Tourism Infrastructure Investment Grant, a Montana Recreational Trails Program Grant, and matching funds from donors. The Goguen family donated an additional trail easement to connect Dollar Lake to the existing Whitefish Lake overlook loop.

Earlier in the spring, new trails and two new trailheads were constructed at Spencer Mountain. The south Spencer trailhead leads to an 8-mile singletrack connector loop that circumnavigates the entire area. Most of the route follows historic trails. A Recreational Trails Program Grant funded the first phase of the project.

The addition of the new trails at Dollar Lake and Spencer brings the total mileage of the Whitefish Trail to 36 miles.

Future Whitefish Trail expansion is planned to connect the existing Whitefish Trail to the southern shore of Beaver Lake as well as adding five miles of trail on the west side of the Haskill Basin conservation easement, including two easy access trailheads.