Photos: Somewhere over the Rainbow Connection

KELSEY EVANS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months, 3 weeks AGO

Hikers walk to the top of the new Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday, Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish Legacy Partners staff, board members and City Councilor Steve Qunell cut the ribbon to the new Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday, Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

A view of Great Northern Mountain from the overlook of the Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Mishka, Zoey and Marcel Storms enjoy the view on the Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

The Montaynes and Matarazzos pile in for a family photo on the overlook bench at the new Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Looking west from the Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection shows golden larches and a view of Murray Lake below. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Mishka, Zoey and Marcel Storms enjoy the view on the Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Harvey and Cordelia enjoy a stroll on the fresh section of the Whitefish Trail on Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish Legacy Partners celebrated the opening of a new Whitefish Trail section, the Rainbow Connection, between Murray and Rainbow Lakes on Sunday.

The additional 1.6 miles of single-track trail connects to the overarching Beaver Lakes area Whitefish Trail system. Previously, trail users would have to loop around on Beaver Lakes and Beaver Lease Roads to connect parts of the trail, but now it can be done all on single-track, with a view.

At the top of the Rainbow Connection, there is an overlook bench that offers sweeping views stretching from Murray Lake to Glacier National Park in the distance.

The hill that the Rainbow Connection is built on has been logged in recent decades and is fairly clear and expansive.

The vision for the trail section has been in the works for many years. From scouting and mapping out the ridgeline, to grant writing, to building a new sign, to local donors contributing bit by bit to bring the trail together, Jedd Sankar-Gorton, Legacy Partners programs director, said that the section is an amazing example of “many people owning a trail.”

Angus Matheson, a local trail builder, put in long hours to ensure the trail would be completed on time for the grand opening.

The project, like much of the Whitefish Trail, is on Montana Department of Natural Resources land, and was moved forward by Dave Ring, supervisor for the Stillwater State Forest.

Sankar-Gorton noted that it has been more challenging to get grant funding for trail projects, because other groups around the state are taking on similar efforts.

To boost local funding, Legacy Partners is offering more donor recognition opportunities. People can sponsor personalized survey markers along the trail, and a naming dedication for the overlook bench is still available. A special edition rainbow connection T-shirt is also available.

For more information or to donate, contact WLP at 406.862.3880 or email [email protected].

Whitefish Legacy Partners staff, board members and City Councilor Steve Qunell cut the ribbon to the new Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday, Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

A view of Great Northern Mountain from the overlook of the Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

Mishka, Zoey and Marcel Storms enjoy the view on the Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Sunday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)

The Montaynes and Matarazzos pile in for a family photo on the overlook bench at the new Whitefish Trail Rainbow Connection on Nov. 2. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)