New group eyes Canyon trail

A newly organized trail group has its sights set on building a bike path that would one day connect Bad Rock Canyon to Glacier Park.

The Gateway to Glacier Trail group wants to expand the current separated trail between Hungry Horse and Coram by adding an eight-mile trail from Coram to Glacier Park.

"We are also working with MDOT [Montana Department of Transportation] in developing a trail through Bad Rock Canyon to Hungry Horse," said Val Parsons, a longtime Rails to Trails volunteer and president of Gateway to Glacier Trail.

"I moved to West Glacier five years ago and quickly realized how dangerous it was riding on the shoulder of the highway up here," Parsons said. "There are 12,000 cars per day on this highway in the summer. We need a separated walking and biking trail."

The trail group is working with Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana to host an inaugural Pints for Paths Brewfest on Aug. 6 in West Glacier. Proceeds from the brewfest will help build the trail and provide matching funds for state and federal grants available for trail systems.

Pints for Paths Brewfest attendees will sample beer from some of Montana's favorite breweries, enjoy live music from the band Marshall Catch and eat food from local vendors in a festive outdoor environment at Heaven's Peak Lodge.

For more information or to help sponsor the brewfest, contact Parsons at valannparsons@yahoo.com.