2012 EVENTS ON RIVER'S EDGE TRAIL
April & May UMB Audubon West Bank Walks
Wednesday evenings at 6:15 pm. weather permitting. Meet at Grizzly sculpture. View and discuss a variety of birds along the river and Sacagawea Island. Led by Beth Hill, DVM grizhill@gmail.com
May 20 RaceMT Walk! Great Falls
1 or 3 mile walk on trail between West Bank Park and Garden Home Park. Details: RaceMT.com/walk.htm
May 26 Fly’n Squirrels – Fish, Wildlife & Parks
2 mi. out and back between Heritage Park and Rainbow Dam. 60% flat and fast, with 3 steep climbs. Part of RaceMT’s Great Falls Trail Series. Details: racemt.com
June 11-15 GF Park & Recreation Bike Camp
Camp is for 2nd through 5th grade students. Focus on bike riding and safety, exploring River's Edge Trail. Details: Community Recreation Center (406) 727-6099
June 7 Montana Senior Olympics 5k Race
6:00 PM Start and finish at Rainboffalo run east along River's Edge Trail. MT Senior Olympics Committee
June 2 20th Annual National Trails Day Events
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. North Shore Trail-building. Come help build new single track trails between Cochrane and Ryan Dam on scenic bluffs along the Missouri River. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and bring leather gloves and a water bottle. Tools, snacks and water provided. Details: Steve Jones, FWP, 406-454-5858 sjones@mt.gov
9:15 AM - 12:00 PM. Southshore Trail Hike. Distance: 4-5 miles. Departs from Gibson Park. Hike leaders: Chuck & Gerry Jennings and Matt Marcinek. Enjoy views of Crooked and Rainbow Falls and learn about Rainbow Dam Project. Bring lunch and lots of water.
10:15 AM. Sulphur Spring Hike. Distance 3.6 miles. Departs from Gibson Park. Hike leader: naturalist Mary Ellen Ergle. Learn about plants and animals recorded in L&C journals. Bring lunch and plenty of water.
11:15 AM. River's Edge Trail Bike Tour. 10 miles / 2-3 hours. Departs from Gibson Park. Ride leaders: John and Kristen Juras. Bring snack and water. HELMETS REQUIRED. Children must be with an adult.
June 3 – September 2 Rainbow Falls Park Ranger Hour
Sundays from 1:00–2:00 PM. Free. A park ranger will interpret the history of the waterfalls at Rainbow Falls Lewis & Clark Overlook. Details: 406-727-1212 or 406-454-5840, rangerstation1212@gmail.com
June 16, July 21, August 18 Sulphur Springs Trail Hike
Saturdays from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Free. Join a member of the Interpretive Center staff for a guided moderately challenging 4 mile hike. Details: 406-453-6157, www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/lcic
June 30 Lewis & Clark Festival Fun Run
8km and 1 mile runs. 8:00 AM Saturday. Start your day with a brisk walk or fun run along River’s Edge Trail and Lewis & Clark Nature Walk. Details: 590-1094, lewisandclarkfoundation.org
June 30 6th Annual Daytona 3 and 5 Mile Runs
Saturday run begins and ends at shelter near the Grizzly Bear in West Bank Park. Runs will follow the west and north shores. Proceeds to benefit the CMR Cross Country Track team. Race Director: Doug Darko. Details: 727-5234
July 12-15 International Mountain Biking Association Trail Care Crew
Will be in Great Falls to work with Great Falls Bicycle Club and FWP to train volunteers and help construct new segments of single track trail on the North Shore Trail. Contact: Travis at Knicker Biker, 454-2912
July 14 IMBA Trail Building School
International Mountain Bicycling Association sustainable trails training. 4600 Giant Springs Road. 9 AM -12 PM, classroom session. 12 PM - 1 PM, free lunch for attendees. 1 PM - 5 PM, hands-on clinic. Details: Travis, 406-454-2912.
July 14 Ground n Pound Squirrels – Ryan Dam Run
3.13 mi. Route along the North Shore Trail is mostly technical single track with rolling assents and descents. Long climb about half way. It is a breathtaking run. 1st section overlooks canyon walls, jagged rocks and outcroppings frame the view. Details: http://www.racemt.com/
Aug. 5 6th Annual Race Montana Triathlon
(Formerly the Harvest Thunder Triathlon) Sunday. Adult race is 500 meter swim, 12.4 mi. bike, 3 mi. run. Youth race is 50 meter swim, 3 mi. bike, 1 mi. run. Details at: www.racemt.com
Aug. 11 Squirrel Mayhem – Lewis & Clark Overlook to Cochrane Dam Run
7.97 mi. Loop follows historic single track to Cochrane then returns along the recently completed Mayhem Trail. This section is very technical with lots of descents and climbs and spectacular views of the river and canyon walls. Details: http://www.racemt.com/
Sept. 15 Kickin 1/2 and 10k
Details to be updated soon. Some proceeds benefit River's Edge Trail. www.racemt.com
Sept. 29 Squirrels Gone Nutz – Morony Dam to Ryan Dam Loop
8.2 mi. Race begins near the dam and then follows the North Shore Trail west to Ryan Trailhead. Trail has rolling hills and many great views of river and canyon walls. Route back uses the High Plains trail on the bluffs with panoramic views of Highwood and Little Belt Mountains. Details: http://www.racemt.com/
Oct. 13 What Women Want Fun Run
9:00 AM Saturday. Snow, cold rain or shine. 3.5 mile loop start and finish at West Bank Park. Course is paved, mostly flat with slight hills near the bridges and dog park. Race Director: Tina Hart. Details: 406-788-9319, trhart66@msn.com
Oct. 21 3rd Annual Save the Tah-Tah's fun run/walk
Check back soon for information on this 2012 event
Nov. 22 Burn the Bird 5k/10k
Thanksgiving morning, 8:00 am. Check back soon for information on this 2012 event,
Year-around group rides and races
Join the Great Falls Bicycle Club for organized rides on River's Edge Trail, Mayhem single-track, and in the Great Falls area. Details at: greatfallsbicycleclub.org
Great Falls Tribune Photo
