GALLATIN VALLEY LAND TRUST
The Bozeman-based nonprofit Gallatin Valley Land Trust presents the second annual Summer Trails Challenge, a collaborative effort between area residents, the City of Bozeman and dozens of public and private organizations.
Between National Trails Day on June 3 and June 23, community members are encouraged to record online how far they walk, hike or bike on area trails. For every mile reported, GVLT will receive $1 from the Trails Challenge Fund, supported by dozens of community businesses. Gallatin Valley Land Trust has set a goal of reaching 45,000 miles with $45,000 pledged from businesses in the Trails Challenge Fund, which is over 20,000 miles more than last year.
Participants can log miles at any point during the challenge, on any trail in the area, including all Big Sky area trails, as well as trails in the backcountry. Online reporting is done on an honor system, so walkers, hikers and bikers are encouraged to track their mileage to the best of their ability.
Prizes will be awarded at the end of the challenge for those who log the most miles, as well as several other categories. Participants are also invited to a celebration BBQ with Montana Aleworks at the GVLT office at 212 S. Wallace Ave. in Bozeman upon completion of the challenge. The BBQ is at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23.
This summer trail challenge emerged out of an effort to celebrate past GVLT trail-building efforts and raise funds for future projects. Since 1990, GVLT has collaborated with the City of Bozeman and public and private organizations to expand the Main Street to the Mountains trail system to over 80 miles of trails. These trails are used by commuters, runners, bikers, birdwatchers, dog walkers and stargazers.
For more information on GVLT’s Summer Trails Challenge, call E.J. Porth at (406) 587-8404, ext. 8, or visit gvlt.org/events/challenge to learn more and log miles.
