Park trails campaign passes midpoint

Glacier fund has raised $80,000 toward repairs

A campaign to raise money for repairing storm-damaged trails in Glacier National Park has exceeded the halfway mark toward a goal of $150,000.

The Glacier National Park Fund, in partnership with Glacier Bank, has raised about $80,000, said Jane Ratzlaff, the fund's executive director.

The "Adopt a Trail" campaign has been under way for about three months, mostly relying on contributions from individuals.

"I would say probably 90 percent came from individuals," Ratzlaff said, adding that contributions have ranged from $10 to $10,000.

Glacier Bank has been a major partner in the effort, providing a "seed" contribution and leading the way with advertising and fundraising events, Ratzlaff said.

"They are also able to collect the money," she said. "Anyone can go into the bank and make a donation."

Park trails were badly damaged in November by a severe rainstorm that further damaged Going-to-the-Sun Road. Days after the storm, many of the park's high-country trails were buried by snow, before trail crews could assess the damage. Even now, in the first week of May, many of those trails still are snow covered.

Park officials gradually are discovering new damage as the snow recedes. Just a few weeks ago, the cost of repairing trail damage was estimated to be roughly $1 million.

Ratzlaff said that estimate has grown to roughly $3 million.

"I think in the next few weeks we'll find even more damage," she said.

The Highline Trail, one of the park's most popular routes, is typically not clear of snow until July. Some park officials are concerned that runoff from the spring melt-out will only worsen erosion on trails.

Ratzlaff said campaign's goal is to help the park complete work necessary to open all trails, even though repairing all trail damage may take more work.

"If we need to, we will take this into next summer if we don't get them all done," she said. "The goal is to get the trails open this summer."

Contributions to the "Adopt a Trail" campaign can be deposited at any Glacier Bank branch, or they can be sent to the Glacier National Park Fund, P.O. Box 5600, Whitefish, MT, 59937. Donations also can be made through the Web site: http://www.glaciernationalparkfund.org.