Ron Brandt, executive director of Flathead Area Mountain Bikers, is a typically happy guy, usually sporting a friendly smile. His mood is elevated further when trail building crews are at work creating new routes and improving existing ones. 

He’s seriously stoked now that two major projects are underway and claims the word “excited” fails to describe the vibe. 

FAMB is currently working on two trail systems located at opposite ends of the Flathead Valley on the Flathead National Forest. All the trails are multi-use, open to hikers and bikers, while others allow pack and saddle horse use. 

On the far north end of the Flathead Valley, Brandt and a FAMB crew are working on the Taylor Hellroaring Project on the Tally Lake District, northwest of Whitefish in the Whitefish Range.  

When he became executive director of FAMB, Brandt’s goal was to get Taylor Hellroaring, a project FAMB and its partners began envisioning over 10 years ago, started. Just last week, on Aug. 14, FAMB officially broke ground on the highly anticipated trail system west of Big Mountain. 

"It has been a long, long time through the process,” Brandt said. “But you have to wait for logging and all the other parts of this project.” 

Brandt said the project will provide access to a new tier of recreational opportunities because it links the town, the resort and frontcountry terrain in a new way. 

When completed, the Taylor Hellroaring Project will allow spirited bikers to travel on continuous singletrack from Red Meadow Pass to downtown Whitefish for a post ride snack. 

The project includes reclamation of the abandoned historic ridge trail, connecting the existing Ralph Thayer Memorial Trail to Big Mountain, Whitefish Mountain Resort trails and the Whitefish Trail.  

"There's an old extension of the Ralph Thayer Trail that kind of disappeared from maps,” he said. “I don't know the exact date but probably 30, 40 years ago, somewhere in there.” 

Work to refurbish the old trail is ongoing. 

The next part of the project involves getting a trail below Taylor Creek Road flagged and approved. 

“We're trying to get below Taylor Creek Road and out,” he said. “We're trying to get that route fully finalized before the snow flies this year.” 

At the other end of the valley, south of Bigfork, FAMB crews are working in the Swan River District at Crane Mountain on the Bug Creek project. 

"In that process of looking at Taylor Hellroaring, the opportunity arose to work with the Swan Lake District down on the Bug Creek project,” Brandt said. “I am excited for just one of these projects, so being able to do two of them at the same time, it more than doubles the excitement for us. 

“Both of these projects are part of much larger logging and fuel reduction projects, so it's timber management and recreation in one big project and I think that's actually pretty key,” he added. 

The Bug Creek project includes over 5 miles of mountain bike-specific trail as well as almost 10 miles of new multi-use singletrack. There are also existing trails that will be improved and brought into the national forest trail system. 

In the future, FAMB intends to work with national forest partners to create a parking lot and restroom facilities. 

Although the Bug Creek area is undergoing a big fuel reduction forestry project and is experiencing changes, Brandt said the land is still remarkable, and so is the community. 

“That dirt is still this beautiful, magical loamy dirt,” Brandt noted.  

He said locals often approach him with questions about the Bug Creek project and the plans for the trails. 

“What's really special about that project is the community. It really cares about that area,” he said. “Even though it's going through a lot of change with the logging, you can tell it's a place that means a lot to the folks.” 

FAMB is currently participating in Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish Community Challenge alongside 84 other Flathead nonprofits. Brandt said the support FAMB receives through this campaign keeps its trails and programs thriving. 

For more information visit www.flatheadamb.org. 

To donate to the Great Fish Community Challenge visit www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.

    FAMB crew members pause to adjust saws while working on the Taylor Hellroaring Project. (Photo provided)
  

    Work continues on the Bug Creek Project on Crane Mountain south of Bigfork. (Photo provided)
  

    A section of trail at the Bug Creek Project. (Photo provided)