October 2010

New Airport Trail in Place

The trail surrounding the airport trail is now packed and ready for use!  Thanks to Triple S for finishing the trail on time and budget.   Next, we plan to install several amenities including trailhead signs, railings, interpretative signs, picnic tables, benches and more!  Take a walk or ride on the trail and let us know what you think – email us at info@beartoothtrails.org.

Fun Run Success

Thanks to your donations, BRTA picked up $3656 from the 7^th annual Fun Run for Charities! Plus we netted $875 from our request for support for Rocky Fork Trails!  We are a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization with no membership; we depend on your donations and a grant to operate the Red Lodge Nordic Center and to support non-motorized trails in and around Red Lodge. We will use your financial support to pay for leases, machinery, gas and oil, maintenance, and signs for the Nordic Center; and for signs (including interpretive signs) and fencing for the Airport Alley trail. Thanks again, we can’t do it without you!

Gear Swap

The fourth annual BRTA SKI & GEAR SWAP will be held Saturday, November 20 at the Civic Center, with gear check-in Friday evening 5:00-7:00 and Saturday morning 8:00-10:00. Sales run 11:00-1:00 on Saturday. Be prepared to buy and sell used gear. This is one of our biggest, baddest, bestest fundraisers of the year! And it’s a fun time!

BRTA New Look

We have launched a new newsletter format and website!  This new format will be easier to use and read and will contain more information on local trails and events.  You will even be able to purchase Nordic Center Season passes from the website!  Pardon our dust and we put the finishing touches on both of these new services.

Nordic Center Preparation

The Red Lodge Nordic Center at Aspen Ridge Ranch is gearing up for another great year. Riding high on last winter’s great response from skiers, our Winter Trails Committee has been hard at work this past month with this year’s preparation and improvements. A Kick-off day of work and fun is planned for this Saturday, October 23^rd. New metal roofs have been installed on the new hut as well as the old shed. A new Ginzu groomer and tracksetter has been purchased allowing faster morning grooming. Our successful kids ski program will again be offered along with a kids seasonal ski rental program.  Moonlight skis, ski clinics, and races are on the schedule. Each year at this time we need to set up the Nordic Center for winter skiing.  Extra help is needed and appreciated. Join us for a kick-off day of work and fun. When: Saturday, October 23^rd, 10 AM to 1 PM. What: Converting Aspen Ridge Ranch from summer horseback riding/hiking trails to winter skiing trails. Jobs: hauling firewood, clearing trails, installing snowfences and signs. Where: Meet at the Nordic Center parking lot on Smith Rd. Why: Because when we’re all done, we’re having a B-B-Q at 1:00 PM. Bring: Bring gloves, work clothes; & if you have ‘em: rake, shovel, gas trimmer, ax, maul, sledge hammer.

Forest Service Updates

The West Fork Road is open; replacement of two bridges will close the upper part of the road at times this fall. Dec. 1, it is gated for winter use. Check out the Dead Indian Trail (past the Meyers Creek Trailhead) north of Nye for something new. Trail work there has opened up this seldom-used trail near the origin of the 2006 Derby Fire.  [More] Progress continues to be made on the access route to the old Black & White Road switchbacks and Face of the Mountain Trail (off Meeteetse Trail Road). And trail work has progressed on that trail from the south this summer. Many of us are very interested in the proposed trail from Fox Road to Palisades Campground west of Red Lodge. The Forest Service has scouted and marked most of the route and will have a NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) analysis of new sections of trail. This includes public comment, so we will be encouraging your support, maybe next spring. Call or stop in at the Beartooth Ranger District office in Red Lodge for current information on trails and roads in the Beartooth Mountains and Pryor Mountains, 446-2103. Always consider yourself welcome at BRTA monthly Board meetings, second Wednesday, basement of the Red Lodge Carnegie Library 6:30 pm., or call your favorite Board member to learn what’s up with BRTA.