There will be a series of guided hikes and environmental education opportunities on the Whitefish Trail this winter. 

The series kicks off with a “Science of Snow” hike at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Lion Mountain Trailhead. 

Join a naturalist for a guided walk along the Whitefish Trail from Lion Mountain to the new Learning Pavilion. Learn about the physics of snowflakes and snow crystals, understand snow metamorphosis and changes in the snowpack over time, and be introduced to snow survey data collection techniques and applications.  

 This family-friendly outing will involve an easy 1- to 2-mile hike, featuring instruction and use of hand lenses to learn about snowflake structure. The trail is boot-packed to the pavilion so snowshoes or skis will not be needed. Dress warmly and wear snow boots, warm hat and gloves.

The hike will be led by Kim Corette who has several decades of experience working and recreating in snow country. 

Corette formerly worked as a ski patroller at Crystal Mountain in Washington, as a heli-ski guide in the Cascades, taught avalanche classes, collected snow survey data for the U.S. Geological Survey, taught Winter Wilderness field studies for the University of Montana and served as a board member for the Glacier Country Avalanche Center.

The Whitefish Trail is the anchor project of Whitefish Legacy Partners and the result of collaborative partnerships providing public access and recreation while protecting wildlife and the environment. To date, Whitefish Legacy Partners and the city of Whitefish have established over 25 miles of a recreational trail system accessed by seven trailheads.

 For more information about this hike and other scheduled outings, visit www.whitefishlegacy.org, call 862-3880 or email info@whitefishlegacy.org.