Wilderness Walks
A Tradition of Walking and Learning
In a letter dated November 1962, Montana Wilderness Association President Winton Weydemeyer told this story:
Two wilderness walks conducted by the Association this summer were highly successful. The first was a walk in the Spanish Peaks Primitive Area south of Bozeman on July 21. This trip exploded the myth that 'only the rich and strong' can enjoy roadless country. People ranging in age from 4 to near 80 gathered for a pancake breakfast and most then climbed several miles into the rugged range. On August 18-19, a walk was conducted into the Jewel Basin area of the Swan Range east of Kalispell. The 49 hikers, ranging from 4 to 66 years, enjoyed several miles of mountain trails, many scenic viewpoints, and a number of alpine lakes.
And that is how the Montana Wilderness Association Wilderness Walks program was born.
Members of the Montana Wilderness Association receive their Wilderness Walks booklets two weeks before the general public,
one of the many benefits of being a member. We trust you will enjoy browsing through our hike book and join us on one (or more)
of the many hike offerings across Montana. If you would like to become a member, and automatically receive Walks booklets, a
quarterly newsletter, and other special mailings, you can sign up online or contact us
at 406-443-7350 ext. 108.
In January 2004, a Winter Walks component was added so that no one would have to wait until spring to enjoy a volunteer guided tour.
Throughout 2009 nearly 200 volunteer leaders—among them outdoor enthusiasts, long-time hikers, naturalists and experienced mountaineers—organized nearly 180 walks and guided nearly 2,000 people into some of the most spectacular natural areas in Montana. The most recent Summer Wilderness Walks included 132 events including day hikes, backpacking adventures, evening strolls, midweek escapes, wildflower walks, and trail maintenance projects. Special attention is given to public wildlands that are not yet permanently protected as Wilderness. The Winter Walks schedule will be available in mid-December of each year. The Summer Walks schedule is available by mid-April of each year.
The intention of the walks program is to build grassroots support for wilderness by taking people to a special place that needed protection. The program's mission is to get people into the wilderness for formative, enriching experiences that we hope will inspire them to act in its defense. Each hike is an opportunity to slow down, to feel the earth beneath your feet, to travel a winding path through the forest, to discover a wildflower-filled meadow, or to reach the top of a mountain and experience nature with all your senses. And here's the best part—you'll be hiking with experienced guides who are sharing their knowledge and passion for protecting our last wild places—and who are inviting you to discover their special wild spots.
Walkers will visit wild locales in Montana's northwest, where Montana Wilderness Association staff and volunteers are working hard to protect rugged landscapes like the Scotchman Peaks roadless area, described by visitors as "walking into heaven."
To walk and roam these wild places and to learn about them first-hand, is an invaluable experience. It's an opportunity to become intimately involved with a landscape, to learn its character and understand why it's so important to protect our wild places for future generations—and for ourselves.
Walking is the great adventure, the first meditation, a
practice of heartiness and soul primary to humankind. Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humility.
—
Gary Snyder
Wilderness designation will ensure that Montana's most spectacular and biologically diverse landscapes endure far into the future. But Wilderness needs people—people like you. Wilderness needs people who are passionate about our wild landscapes and who are willing to roll up their sleeves, get a little dirty and get involved. Our hikes are led by volunteers; many who hike with us become volunteers through the experience.
So keep informed, join with others, and speak out when questions of management of our public lands arise.
But first of all, get to know these lands through Montana Wilderness Association's Wilderness Walks. At the end of a day on the trail, take time to reflect on the beauty and wildness of the area you visited, and don't forget to thank your volunteer walk leader!
A special thanks to:
Bennett Motors
Molly Montana Real Estate
Roscoe Outdoor
Northern Lights Trading Company
Good Food Store
Lakeside Family Dentistry
Mountain Valley Foods
Chuck and Gerry Jennings
for their sponsorship of our 2010 Wilderness Walks program.
Being a sponsor of our Wilderness Walks Program is a great way to show you care about Montana's wild places and the importance of getting people outdoors.
If you are interested in becoming an Individual or Business Sponsor of our Wilderness Walks program please Turn on JavaScript! or phone (406) 443-7350 ext. 108
Need more information about the program? Learn more about our Business Sponsorship proposal and the associated sponsorship benefits.