A transcript of the September 2026 “Coffee with Larry Wilson” event is now available on the History Day Gatherings Page! (Scroll to the bottom of the page to find this most recent interview with Larry.)
Begun in 2024, this is the tenth in a series of History Day gatherings, focusing on long-time residents and their experiences. Also completed this year was a session with Lynn and Bonny Ogle and another with Ray Brown. See the History Day Gatherings Page for the full list.
Flathead National Forest is starting to clean up the aftermath of last December’s major wind event. In the North Fork, this includes salvaging 110 acres of downfall in the area where Coal Creek enters the North Fork Flathead River.
Here’s the meat of the official press release, which includes links to more detailed information . . . Continue reading Coal Banks Blowdown Salvage Project ready to begin
This just in courtesy of Stephen Houser, Assistant Fire Management Officer – Fuels, for the Flathead Forest’s Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District . . .
Thunderstorms on Saturday 8/22 and Sunday 8/23 have resulted in three new fire starts in the Nortk Fork drainage recently. See below for an update on our response to these fires: Continue reading Late August North Fork Fire Activity
Audio and a transcript of the August “Coffee with Rob Fisher” event is now available on the History Day Gatherings Page!
Begun in 2024, this is the ninth in a series of History Day gatherings, focusing on long-time residents and their experiences. Also completed this year was a session with Lynn and Bonny Ogle and another with Ray Brown. See the History Day Gatherings Page for the full list.
A note from Justine Vallieres, Montana FWP Region 1 Bear Manager . . .
Hey folks, I just wanted to give an update as I’ve had a couple people reach out with questions about seeing traps up the North Fork recently.
On Sunday August 2, I released two 2 year-old grizzly bear sisters at the end of Whale Creek. I caught them preemptively in Columbia Falls, as I wanted to get them out of town to avoid them potentially running into trouble. I had originally caught them as cubs of the year two years ago with mom getting into unsecured chickens and because there was so much snow at that time release sites were limited so I released them in Moose City. They denned in Canada and came out last spring. They made their way back to Columbia Falls last summer and mom dropped her collar in the Apgar Range. I never had any conflicts with any of them last summer or fall. Continue reading Two young grizzlies released in Whale Creek drainage
Audio and a transcript of July’s “Coffee with Ray Brown” event is now available on the History Day Gatherings Page! Begun in 2024, this is the eighth in a growing series of History Day gatherings, focusing on long-time residents and their experiences. Also completed this year was a session with Lynn and Bonny Ogle. See the History Day Gatherings Page for the full list.
Here’s the official word on Glacier Park’s effort to plug an old oil well near the head of Kintla Lake. From the press release . . .
Glacier National Park to plug historic oil well near Kintla Lake
Temporary trail and wilderness campground closures expected through fall 2026
WEST GLACIER, Mont. [July 15, 2026] – Glacier National Park will begin work in late July to plug the historic Butte Oil Well at Kintla Lake. The well, which predates the establishment of the park, was selected for plugging after monitoring detected leaking gases. Work is expected to continue for several weeks and be completed in fall 2026.
The project will temporarily affect trail and camping access in the Kintla Lake area. The Kintla Lake Wilderness Campground is expected to be closed during helicopter operations and active construction, beginning July 27 and continuing through late August. Visitors should check Recreation.gov for current availability before planning overnight trips in the area.
The Kintla-Boulder Pass Trail along Kintla Lake will close intermittently during four days of helicopter operations. Initial flights are scheduled for July 27 and 28 between approximately 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Two additional days of helicopter operations will occur near the end of the project to remove equipment and materials that cannot be transported by boat. Those dates will be announced when available.
The frontcountry campground at Kintla Lake will be open for first-come, first-served camping during construction.
Visitors should also expect increased construction traffic along the Inside North Fork Road between Polebridge and Kintla Lake. Construction equipment and activities may temporarily affect views and natural sounds around the lake.
The project is being completed through the National Park Service’s Abandoned Mineral Lands program, which addresses historic mining sites and oil and gas well established before lands became part of the National Park System.
For information about the project and history of the Butte Oil Well, visit the park’s story map.
Audio and a transcript of last June’s “Coffee with Lynn and Bonny Ogle” event is now available on the History Day Gatherings Page! This the seventh in a growing series of History Day gatherings, focusing on long-time residents and their experiences. Also included have been sessions at the historic Ford Schoolhouse and the North Fork Hostel.
Here’s the meat of the official press release. I like the part all the way at the end where they say, “Traffic into the West Entrance of the park may be busy at times.”
WEST GLACIER, Mont. [June 22, 2026] – Going-to-the-Sun Road is now fully open for the 2026 season. Visitors will be able to drive the entire 50-mile length of the road, and access Logan Pass from both West Glacier and St. Mary Entrances.
Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Vehicles over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to The Loop due to rock overhangs. Stock trucks and trailers can access Packers Roost on the west and Siyeh Bend on the east.
At Logan Pass, visitors will discover lingering winter snow, and should be prepared for cold temperatures, wind, and icy conditions. Standing or walking on snow along the road and nearby trails is strongly discouraged.
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is closed due to snow conditions. Be sure to check the Trail Status Reports page often for the latest information on trail conditions.
Visitors are encouraged to be prepared at the entrance station by having their Park Pass ready and accessible.
Park only in designated parking spaces throughout the park. Parking outside of marked areas damages fragile vegetation, contributes to soil erosion, and can block access for emergency responders. To help protect park resources and ensure safe travel for all, visitors should follow posted parking guidance, avoid stopping along roadways, and remain patient during periods of high congestion.
As a reminder, do not throw food waste, including apple cores, orange peels, sunflower seeds, unwanted drinks (coffee, tea, soda) etc., out car windows. This attracts wildlife to the roadways which increases wildlife fatalities. Discard garbage in bear-proof garbage cans.
Traffic into the West Entrance of the park may be busy at times. Visitors may expect waits of up to 2 miles and 30 minutes to West Glacier at peak times.
There is a petition before the Flathead County Planning Office to amend our North Fork Neighborhood Plan zoning regulations. If passed this would provide definitions for “public” and “private” roads, excluding the North Fork and Forest Service roads, and reduce their setbacks from the current 100ft to 20ft and 10ft respectively. If passed, the implications are unclear, although they may have impacts in certain areas.
There is a meeting with the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee and county planning staff Thursday June 25th at 4:00pm at Sondreson Hall that will enable the public to both gain insight into the proposed amendment and provide an opportunity to state your opinion on the official record. Zoom participation will be available. If you would like additional information, please contact me at kenyonnorthfork@gmail.com or 406-890-4460.
We look forward to seeing you.
Randy Kenyon, Chair NFLUAC