“The City to Sky race is a true testament to the power of partnership,” says Trisha Drobeck, Executive Director of Run Wild Missoula. “By working together with incredible land managers we’re able to provide a world-class race experience while also promoting conservation and responsible trail stewardship.”
Over our second year of ownership, the 2,470-acre Mount Dean Stone Community Forest (MDSCF) hosted almost 7,000 visitors making it the most visited Five Valleys’ property. It's no wonder why: the MDSCF offers 16-miles of pedestrian, bike, and equestrian trails just outside Missoula (see map).
In October, the MDSCF hosted the 2nd annual City to Sky 50k trail race, organized by Mount Dean Stone Committee member Run Wild Missoula. Over 170 runners finished the race in 2024, which crosses the entire House of Sky Trail. The MDSCF also offers hunting opportunities through Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks’ (MT FWP) Block Management Access program. We look forward to hosting both of these public access opportunities in 2025.
When the Miller Peak Fire broke out last July, Five Valleys got a front row seat into wildfire response. The wildfire burned 2,700 acres in the Lolo National Forest just 2.5 miles from the MDSCF. To support public safety, Five Valleys temporarily closed nearby trailheads.
In preparation for future wildfire seasons, Five Valleys and our partners are developing wildfire scenarios across Mount Dean Stone landscape. We also applied for a DNRC Landscape Scale Restoration Grant that will support forest health thinning projects across the upper elevations of the MDSCF.
In partnership with Missoula County, the City of Missoula, the US Forest Service, area easement landowners, and others, we secured to secure a Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program grant through MT FWP, which will enable landowners to undertake weed treatments across landownership boundaries. Five Valleys used a second DNRC grant from the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund to complete weed treatments last year and conduct weed mapping with the Missoula County Youth in Restoration Crew. This mapping revealed exciting native plant colonies, including bitterroots!
Looking ahead, the upper portions of MDSCF will reopen on May 15, after being closed to support winter elk habitat. Learn more about these closures at our website. See you on the trail.
Header photo of 2024 City to Sky race particpants by Humble Photos, courtesy of Run Wild Missoula
