Military exercises in Red Meadow area

Here’s some clarification on the current military presence at the Sapa airstrip on Red Meadow Road from Rob Davies, Hungry Horse/Glacier View District Ranger…

After a little research I have confirmed what this was all about.

Last weekend there was a military, US Special Forces training exercise… These military exercises will be occurring across four National Forests; the Flathead NF, Helena-Lewis and Clark NF, the Lolo NF, and the Kootenai NF.

…I did not have any details about when and where the activity would be occurring. I was generally aware that there was going to be US Special Forces training this winter and some of it would occur in the Whitefish Range but that’s all I was aware of. These military training operations are not intended to be publicly advertised and disclosed for obvious security reasons.

I hope this information helps… at least remove some of the mystery about what was going on.

Almost 70 people attend Christmas dinner at Sondreson Hall

The 2023 Christmas Day dinner at Sondreson Hall, hosted by Mark and Margaret Heaphy, brought neighbors together for hours of fun. The Heaphys were ably assisted by John and Tami Stone, Bernie & Vickie Wiedmann, and Ray Brown. About 70 folks enjoyed the opportunity to overeat and socialize with friends new and old.

Still sorting through the images, but here is the group photo from the event. The crowd was a little restless, so, if you don’t see yourself in one version, check the other . . .

NFLA New Year’s Eve party this Sunday!

Dancing and music at the Hall starting at 8:00pm!

Bring finger foods, desserts, and whatever you wish to drink!

Come enjoy conversation with friends, music by Debo, dancing and… FIREWORKS at 10:00! Ring in the New Year at midnight with a toast with friends and neighbors!

All are welcome, please come join in on the fun!

(John and Zoë Zardis are hosting!)

First Annual (?) North Fork Turkey Trot

One last Thanksgiving note . . .

Here are the participants in the First Annual (maybe) North Fork Turkey Trot. It started from the Walker’s place on Thanksgiving morning and ended a couple of hours later on their front porch with coffee and hot chocolate.

First Annual North Fork Turkey Trot participants, Nov 23, 2013 - W. K. Walker
First Annual North Fork Turkey Trot participants, Nov 23, 2013 – W. K. Walker

Thanksgiving for 2013 at Sondreson Hall a big success

Thanksgiving dinner at Sondreson Hall, 2013 - W, K, Walker
Thanksgiving dinner at Sondreson Hall, 2013 – W, K, Walker

Due to the efforts of many people who cooked, cleaned, organized, decorated and, starting at 8:00am on the day-of, did a huge amount of final preparation,  Thanksgiving dinner at Sondreson Hall was a big success. Here are some photos of the final result. (And, yes, I included a photo of a “bear-proof pumpkin” center piece.) . . .

Continue reading Thanksgiving for 2013 at Sondreson Hall a big success

Anthony Botello is new Flathead Forest supervisor

Anthony Botello - USFS photo
Anthony Botello – USFS photo

The Flathead National Forest announced this evening (Monday, November 20) the appointment of Anthony Botello as the new Forest Supervisor.

The Flathead Beacon has the story . . .

The Flathead National Forest on Monday announced that Anthony Botello will serve as its new forest supervisor overseeing 2.4 million acres of public land in northwest Montana.

Since April 2020, Botello has worked as the deputy forest supervisor for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in northeast Oregon. In his new role, he replaces Kurt Steele, who in June accepted a position at the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Region headquarters in Missoula, capping a three-and-a-half-year stint at the helm of the Flathead.

That put Deputy Forest Supervisor Tami MacKenzie in charge of the region’s forests until a successor to Steele could be found. On Nov. 20, the agency announced that Botello would likely begin his new role at the start of the new year.

Continue reading . . .

Also: read the official press release.

Thanksgiving at Sondreson Hall, November 23, 2023, starting at 3:00pm!

Thanksgiving at Sondreson Hall in 2022

Don’t miss this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations at Sondreson Hall!

The doors open at 3:00pm with dinner served at 4:00pm.

Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy provided. (Gluten- and dairy-free potatoes, stuffing and gravy will be available.)

Please bring your own place setting and an appetizer, side or dessert to share

Any questions? Please contact Zoë Zardis at (731) 695-4528.

All are welcome. Be there!

Glacier Park announces their vehicle reservation system for 2024

Glacier Park has already posted details of their reservation system for next year!

The big news is the changes to the reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) access via the West Glacier entrance. They will be one-day only, but a reservation will no longer be required to access the Apgar Village complex. However, reservations for facilities in the Apgar area will no longer provide access beyond the “Apgar filter check point.” GTSR reservations will be required from May 24 through September 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Polebridge entrance will be the same as last year: a one-day reservation running from May 24 through September 8, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Many Glacier access will require a reservation from July 1 through September 8, 2024, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.

No vehicle reservation will be required to access Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side!

Note that these new regulations should mean that we will no longer need a special “transit pass” (my term) to swing through the park via the Camas entrance.

See the official press release for full details.