Uncategorized
On the Trail: Top 5 hikes for dogs
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Sara Marino BIG SKY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Even on days when no one is up for a hike, I can always count on my dog to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. It’s nearly impossible not to have a good time on the trail when you see the joy and enthusiasm of your best friend discovering new sights, sounds and smells. Here are a few of my dog’s favorite hikes in the Big Sky area. Don’t forget to pick up after your dog and to have him or her under leash or voice control.
South Fork Loop
If you’re short on time but you and your pup really need to stretch your legs, the South Fork Loop is the trail for you. This 1-mile forested loop provides some solitude and room for your dog to run close to Town Center. The trailhead is adjacent to the South Fork of the Gallatin River, giving your pal a chance to cool off and get a drink before or after your hike. Just up the road, Hummocks and Uplands Trails are also great options if you want to hike a bit further. And Beehive Basin Brewery is a few minutes away from the trailhead if you need a post hike libation.
Cinnamon Mountain Trail
This 8.5-mile out-and-back hike begins at the Cinnamon Creek Trailhead, located 10.5 miles south of Big Sky. With a 2,600-foot elevation gain, it offers a nice workout, and great scenery ranging from forested trail to open meadows with views of Sphinx Mountain, the Taylor Hilgards, and Lone Mountain. The first few miles follow Cinnamon Creek, but be sure to pack extra water for your dog, and don’t forget your bear spray.
Little Willow Way
A local favorite for dogs, this 1.6-mile roundtrip trail starts in the Big Sky Community Park and follows the West Fork of the Gallatin River. This is a great hike for older dogs as it is a flat and well-maintained gravel surface. If you want to keep going, you can add the Black Diamond Trail which will wind through the forest and drop down behind the skate park.
North Fork Trail
Whether hiking or biking, the North Fork Trail offers plenty of fun for both you and your dog. Access this trailhead by way of North Fork Road, just west of the entrance to Lone Mountain Ranch. The mileage and adventure-level opportunities abound—hike a few miles in, keep going 6.7 miles to Bear Basin, or take the Beehive Connector Trail.
Lava Lake
There is a reason this hike is one of the most popular in Gallatin Canyon. This 6-mile out-and-back hike climbs a steady and gradual 1,600 feet through both forest and meadow areas until it culminates at the beautiful alpine lake. There are plenty of water opportunities for your dog along the way, and a great place to swim or fish once you reach the lake. As Big Sky begins to quiet down, enjoy this hike with reduced traffic in the beautiful fall weather.
Sara Marino is the new community development manager for the Big Sky Community Organization. She comes to Big Sky with 17 years of nonprofit experience from the Montana Environmental Information Center.
Visit bscomt.org for more information about Big Sky’s parks, trails and recreation programs.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Quality Planning Bureau will host an informational meeting
more
Event Details
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Quality Planning Bureau will host an informational meeting to update the public on topics related to the impairment listing of the middle segment of the Gallatin River, from Yellowstone National Park to Spanish Creek, for excessive algal growth due to exceeding established thresholds for algae (ARM 17.30.637(1)(e)).
The hybrid meeting will be held in Big Sky at the Big Sky Water and Sewer District and via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024.
2024 Agenda:
- Nutrient Rulemaking Update
- Gallatin River Monitoring Project Objectives & Timeline
- 2023 Findings and 2024 Monitoring Strategies
- Source Assessment and TMDL Development
- Community Involvement in Watershed Restoration
Time
(Monday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Event Details
There is something so powerful when women come together to support each other on their journey. We are healed, we are nurtured, and we feel comforted and understood.
Event Details
There is something so powerful when women come together to support each other on their journey. We are healed, we are nurtured, and we feel comforted and understood.
This full moon can give us the opportunity to connect with the grounding energies of the earth and cosmos as well as to recognize and celebrate this awakening and the culmination of our intentions. Although it is free to attend, please register so we know how many to expect.
Time
(Monday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle