A 3,020-acre conservation easement in Haskill Basin has not only secured public access to private forestland near Whitefish, but it’s also provided an opportunity to connect more than 5 miles of Whitefish Trail through the area.

The Whitefish Trail is currently comprised of 36 miles of single-track and gated roads mostly in the hills west and north of Whitefish Lake. The long-term vision is to create a 55-mile recreational loop that circumnavigates the entire lake.

An important piece of that loop is provided through the Haskill easement. It allows access to the F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. property, and modifies prior trail easements with Winter Sports Inc. and Iron Horse.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to create this gateway to Haskill Basin,” said Whitefish Legacy Partners executive director Heidi Van Everan.

While the ultimate goal has long been to create a loop for the Whitefish Trail, Van Everan said the opportunity for a trail north of the city wasn’t available before the conservation easement. Also associated with the easement, are two letters of intent from Iron Horse and Winter Sports committing to their approval for the trail to connect through their properties.

The city has agreed to allow for a trailhead and a portion of the trail on its land just west of the water treatment plant on Reservoir Road. From there the trail heads north through the Iron Horse conservation easement held by the Flathead Land Trust. The trail makes its way to the Stoltze conservation easement following mostly along the western edge of the property, eventually running parallel to Haskill Creek/First Creek before running farther west to Winter Sports property.

Another trailhead is planned for just north of the entrance to Lookout Ridge off of Big Mountain Road. From that access point there are plans to create a winter Nordic trail, as well.

Erin Bodman, president of Flathead Fat Tires, said the group supports the easement.

“We’re excited that this project is moving forward and we believe the Whitefish Trail is a great asset to the city,” Bodman said. “We look forward to working with the city and Stoltze in the event of any recreational issues arise in the future.”

Denny Gignoux, president of the Glacier Nordic Club, echoed her statement, noting the planned Nordic portion. Glacier Nordic will partner with Whitefish Legacy Partners on the Nordic trail.

“We’re very excited to work in the future to make sure there are groomed trails in Haskill Basin,” he said.

Some neighbors in Haskill Basin have expressed concerns about hikers and bikers coming onto private land and parking in unauthorized areas.

Van Everan said the hope is that by providing trailheads and signed trails that will keep most people in those specific areas, minimizing the impact to neighbors.

“People like to go where we direct them,” she said. “People will want to park where we have proposed and follow our rules.”

As with the other easements for the Whitefish Trail, the city of Whitefish will hold the title to the trail easement. Whitefish Legacy Partners will fundraise for construction and maintenance of the trail. It expects to fundraise this year for the Haskill Basin trail and construct it in 2017. Included with the trail easement for the Stoltze property, is a four-year option for the trail, once constructed, to be deeded to the city at the cost of $1.

“Basically Stoltze has agreed to gift the trail to the city within four years,” Mayor John Muhlfeld said. “We have every intent on exercising that sooner rather than later.”

In an addition to the easements, a half-acre land purchase from private owners will allow for a boundary line adjustment at the northwest edge of the city’s property. Legacy Partners will finance the purchase at $14,000, which makes it possible for the trail to pass from city property to the Iron Horse land.