By Sara Marino EBS CONTRIBUTOR
There’s
nothing like setting your skis or fat bikes down on a freshly groomed trail of
crisp corduroy. Look no further than the Big Sky Community Park in the Meadow
Village to find a trail to play on.
The Big Sky
Community Organization is once again conducting winter grooming in the park
three times a week to keep conditions prime for cross-country skiing, fat
biking, snowshoeing or walking with your dog. There are three groomed trails and
one ungroomed to choose from.
Little
Willow Way
Rating: Easy
This flat
1.6-mile roundtrip groomed trail starts in the Big Sky Community Park by the
river pavilion playground and follows the West Fork of the Gallatin River the
entire way.
Community
Park Loop
Rating: Easy
This gentle
loop winds around the entire park, behind the skate park and softball fields
for approximately ½ mile. It can be easily connected to the Far East Loop at
the east end of the park, or to the 1-mile easy Crail Trail on the west end of
the park near the softball fields.
Far East
Loop
Rating: Easy
This short ¼
mile out-and-back begins near the camp yurts and provides a groomed trail to
access the Black Diamond Trail.
Black
Diamond Trail
Rating: Intermediate
This is the
only trail not groomed in the Community Park but gets well packed down by users.
This trail provides a nice climb into the trees right off the bat, levels off
for a short distance, and winds through the forest again on the descent. Once
you have reached the end of the trail, you can turn around and travel the same
terrain or continue onto Little Willow Way.
What to
Know
Uses: All
trails are multi-use and cross-country skiers, fat bikers, snowshoers, walkers
and dogs are all welcome. Dog waste stations are provided to pick up after your
pet. Please no equestrian use, as it is very hard on the trails.
Fee: These
trails are managed by BSCO and are open to the public free of charge. Voluntary
donations to help with grooming expenses and trail maintenance are always
welcome.
Directions: From
Meadow Village, head north on Little Coyote Road and drive past the Big Sky
Chapel and pond. Turn onto the first road on your right and look for the Big
Sky Community Park entrance sign. The parking lot near the basketball court and
skate park will be plowed throughout the winter.
Visit
bscomt.org to learn more about Big Sky’s parks, trails and recreation programs.
Sara Marino is the Big Sky Community Organization community development manager. BSCO engages and leads people to recreational and enrichment opportunities through thoughtful development of partnerships, programs and places.
