Snowmobiling for native trails in Seeley Lake

SEELEY LAKE — Seeley Lake snowmobilers hit the path to help native out of doors recreation on Sunday. Non-profit Scenic Montana Trails hosted its annual Seeley Lake Fun Run that includes rides, snacks and prizes on the Westside Trailhead.

“Could we use more snow? Yes, but it’s a fun, family event,” native snowmobiler Jacqueline Foote stated. “We encourage everybody to come out to Seeley Lake and ride in these bluebird skies.”

Scenic Montana Trails, based in Seeley Lake, is a club dedicated to mechanized and motorized recreation. The nonprofit shaped from the Seeley Lake Driftriders and the ATV membership to unite all kinds of path riders.

“Our club houses any sport that needs trails, mechanized use: snowmobiles, side-by-sides, mountain bikes, motorcycles, etc.,” President Kurt Friede stated.

The membership additionally maintains and grooms greater than 450 miles of native trails round Seeley Lake and Greenough. Friede stated it’s about extra than simply recreation.

“It’s very important for our livelihood in Seeley Lake in the winter to have these trails being maintained and to have our club here, because it brings a whole lot of people into our community in the winter,” he stated. “It helps us financially, all the businesses in the community.”

Like a lot of Western Montana, Seeley Lake noticed a hotter winter this yr. Some winter actions, together with elements of Winterfest, needed to be postponed or canceled. There was nonetheless loads of snow to experience, Friede stated, and he was grateful.

“We didn’t have the snow to work with to make beautiful trails, but our trails stayed pretty sufficient all year. And at least we had trails, because a lot of places in the state never even fired their groomers up,” he stated. “It has impacted us, because people do a lot of stuff with visuals. So, when they don’t see snow on the ground, they don’t think that they can go and do anything.”

While the snow lasts, the riders have been profiting from it on the enjoyable run. Jacqueline Foote spent her sixtieth birthday at Sunday’s occasion.

“It’s bittersweet, but I wouldn’t have another way to spend my birthday, actually, is on the trails and snowmobiling in Seeley Lake,” she stated.

Foote stated Scenic Montana Trails, and recreation basically, brings so much to Seeley Lake — for each the locals and guests.

“It’s probably one of the best places to snowmobile in Montana, because of the elevation,” she stated. “There’s powder, there’s tree riding, there’s trails for beginner riders. We get a lot of like youngsters out here. I get 12 of my grand-kids out here riding on these trails.”

If the climate stays the constant, Friede stated the membership might want to cease grooming the paths quickly. While snowmobile season is perhaps coming to an finish, there are nonetheless loads of different methods to hit path. Scenic Montana Trails is even engaged on constructing a 27-mile mountain bike path within the space.

“This is going to be a 365 day-a-year organization,” he stated.