A Hiker, overlooking the Swan Range. Photo Courtesy of D Blank.

The upper Blackfoot contains exquisite recreational opportunities, enjoyed by many residents of the valley. Understanding this relationship, The Blackfoot Cooperative Landscape Stewardship Pilot Project has proposed a balance between different forms of recreation by maintaining and expanding motorized use in some areas, while retaining wilderness qualities in others.

The proposal will maintain traditional wilderness pack trails within the Seeley Lake Ranger District, as well as all existing groomed snowmobile trails and areas. In addition, participating groups have agreed to a revision in the proposed Lolo Forest Plan to allow an approximately 2,000 acre “winter motorized use area” in the Lake Creek area between East Spread Mountain and Otatsy Lake. The resulting area will yield a net increase in snowmobile opportunities.

The expansion of wilderness areas would not result in any changes to current and past land management or recreational access. These roadless forest lands have been managed by the Forest Service as wilderness for past twenty years, and as such have only been accessible by foot and by horse. All members of the group are committed to the consensus plan, which reflects the hard work of multiple stakeholders and recreationalists.