Challenge Cost Share Trail Clearing
2022-07-27
Complete the last 2 miles of our Challenge Cost Share trail clearing commitment. Remaining trail segment is on the Todd-Springs trail (#345w – see attached sketch).
Approximately an 11-mile ride, most of which has already been cleared by our folks. We’d like to have a sawyer, swamper and a couple wranglers to bring up stock as we clear.
Meet at Highway 200 and Weeksville at 0730am.

Youth Conservation Corp Appreciation Day
2022-07-29 12:00 - 14:00 UTC
As the Plains-Thompson Falls Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) wrap up their season we’ll show our appreciation for the work they’ve done over their eight-week season by delivering pizza and cold drinking water to their worksite.
The YCC will be completing the season by replacing picnic tables in campgrounds around the district. We’re coordinating with the Forest Service to have them arrange for a campground that’ll minimize our drive time.

Chapter Fun Ride
2022-07-30 09:00 - 17:00 | Loneman Divide
WHPBCH members fun ride in the Little Thompson Drainage. Ride is predominantly on roads closed to motorized use, logging skid trails and cow trails. Beginner to intermediate riding level. Distance can vary from 10-15 miles depending on what the group wants to do. Participants will need to bring lunch, drink and weather appropriate clothing.
Trailboss: John Errecart

Monthly meeting@ 7:00pm
2022-08-08 19:00 - 20:30
Plains Senior Center, 205 W. Meany, Plains MT

Big Hole Lookout
2022-08-26 10:00 - 19:00
Pack 20 gallons of water to the lookout for photographers’ weekend stay. Leave Plains late morning.

Pack 2 Photographers & gear up to Big Hole Lookout.
2022-08-27 12:00 - 17:00
Description: 2 photographers will be taking pictures of several lookouts on the District including Big Hole.
How to help/what to bring: 2 pack stock (John), 2 riding stock(—- & —–) for photographers if available.
Riding Miles: 6
Trailboss: John Errecart

Big Hole Lookout Day Ride
2022-08-28 09:00 - 17:00
Take a leisurely ride to the lookout and surrounding area. Great opportunity for folks that haven’t been to the lookout to get to know the trail and surrounding area.

Pack 2 Photographers & gear out from Big Hole Lookout.
2022-08-29 10:00 - 17:00
Description: Pack out the 2 photographers from 8/27.
What to bring/How to help: 2 pack stock (John), 2 riding stock (—- & —-) for photographers if available
Riding miles: 6
Trail Boss: John Errecart

Monthly Meeting@ 7:00pm
2022-09-12 19:00 - 20:30, 2022-11-14 19:00 - 20:30
Plains Senior Center, 205 W. Meany, Plains MT.

Montana Conservation Corp - Tool and Water Pack-in
2022-09-13 09:00 - 19:00
Pack tools, food and supplies up the South Fork of Four Lakes creek for MCC crew that’ll be camped to work on switchbacks below Cube Iron Pass.
Delivery site is Big Springs.
Meet at the Four Lakes trailhead at 9am.

MCC Pack-out Big Spring Camp
2022-09-21 09:00 - 17:00
Return to the Cabin Lake trailhead to pack out the MCC crew we packed in last week. Same route we took in, up the South Fork of Four Lakes to Cube Iron pass then easterly to Big Spring where their camp is located.

POSTPONED - Big Hole Lookout Maintenance Day
2022-09-22
Stay tuned for rescheduling once the incoming weather events has passed.
Pack in at least 10 gallons of water to add to the pit toilet, scrape and paint blisters in the interior of the lookout (dark green, at the lookout), thorough cleaning of the lookout and inventory all supplies and furnishings.
Contact Sherry Caldwell or Cheryl Burt if you’d like to participate.

BCHMT Board Mtg.
2022-09-24 10:00 - 15:00
Elks Lodge, Deer Lodge MT. 10am-3pm

Close Big Hole Lookout
2022-10-08 09:00 - 19:00
Meet at Highway 200 and Weeksville at 9am to close down and winterize the lookout.

Monthly Meeting@ 6:00pm @ Errecarts'
2022-10-10 18:00 - 19:30
Barbeque/Potluck at Errecarts’, 17 Baldy View Lane, Plains MT.
Note the earlier than normal start time, 6:00pm, since it’s dark before 8pm these beautiful fall days.
See you there!

Monthly Meeting and Potluck @ 6pm
2022-11-30 08:00 - 17:00
WEATHER DEPENDENT: Potluck and monthly meeting at Errecarts’
17 Baldy View Lane, Plains, MT.

Potluck and Monthly Meeting @ 6pm
2022-11-30 08:00 - 17:00

Potluck Christmas Party - Monthly Meeting@ 5:00pm
2022-12-10 17:00 - 20:00
Saturday, December 10th, 5pm: Annual Potluck Christmas Party and monthly meeting at the Plains Senior Center, 205 W. Meany, Plains MT.
Bring an exchange gift of $20 or less if you’d like to participate in the gift exchange.
Chapter will provide a meat, members provide side dish, desserts, etc.

Monthly Meeting - 7pm
2023-01-09 07:00 - 20:30 | Plains/Paradise Senior Citizen’s Center,, 205 W. Meany, Plains, MT
Our monthly meetings are on the second Monday of each month.
Visitors and potential new members are always welcome.
Occasionally meetings are held at alternate locations, such as members’ homes or other local public facilities and may be proceeded by a potluck meal.

Lolo National Forest - Forest Plan Revision
2023-01-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Webinar, n/a, MT, United States
The Lolo National Forest is starting the process of revising its Forest Plan. Each National Forest has a Forest Plan that outlines the goals and objectives which guide the activities on the National Forest between revisions. The current Forest Plan for the Lolo was completed in 1986 so it’s been quite a while and emphasis have changed since then.

Folks that are interested in how the Lolo will be managed for the next 15-30 years should be involved though the entire process.

January 10th there is a webinar for those interested in getting in at the beginning of the revision process. The link is:

Lolo National Forest – Planning (usda.gov)

It will be up to all of us to participate, provide input and stay informed during this lengthy process in order to ensure our interests are heard and protected.

Please check out the website above and plan to participate in the January 10th meeting.

January 10, 2023 at 6-7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Bruce Smith Book Tour
2023-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge, 2519 Industrial Way, Thompson Falls, MT, 59873, United States
Folks might be interested in attending the Mountain Goat presentation at the Elks in Thompson Falls January 22nd. See attached poster.

Monthly Meeting @ 7pm
2023-02-13 07:00 - 20:30, 2023-03-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Plains/Paradise Senior Citizen’s Center,, 205 W. Meany, Plains, MT

Supporting Public Lands - Feb. 23, 2023
2023-02-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Helena State Captial Building, 1301 East 6th Avenue, Helena, MT, 59601, United States
There are 50-60 bills in the current legislature (2023) that will influence the management of public lands in Montana. BCHMT donated up to $500 to hang our banner at the gathering of public lands advocates at the State Capital in Helena. The goal of the gathering is to show our elected officials just how important public lands are and that public lands remain in public hands.

RAC Road Clearing (Roads 887 and 5587)
2023-03-15 08:00 - 2023-03-31 17:00 | Forest Service Road 887, Mile Marker 68.5 Highway 200
Description: Start by clearing road 887 (Weeksville) from the junction with Highway 200 to the junction with road 5587 (Big Hole Lookout) of winter debris (rocks, fallen and bent over trees and brush).
How to help/What to bring: Clear roads by yourself or with others, remove all material from roadway.
Track your hours and mileage, report to John Errecart
Miles: Approximately 3.2 miles from Highway 200 to the junction with road 5587.
Trail Boss: All members

Horse and Mule Packing Clinic
2023-03-25 09:00 - 16:00 | Kristy Sheehan’s Arena, 128 River Road East, Plains, MT, 59859, United States
All-day, hands-on packing clinic with decker pack saddles.
Stock, equipment and lunch provided by Wild Horse Plains Back Country Horsemen
Includes:
Saddling and adjusting a decker saddle
Building a manty load
Loading and unloading a mantied load onto/off of stock
Putting up a decker saddle
Taking care of manty and sling ropes
Other packing tools and methods

RAC Road Clearing (Roads 887 and 5587)
2023-04-01 08:00 - 2023-04-30 17:00
Description: Continue earlier work by clearing road 5587 (Big Hole Lookout) of winter debris (rocks, fallen and bent over trees and brush) from the junction with the 887 road (Weeksville) to the switchback on the 5587 just above the 3-mile marker.
How to help/What to bring: Clear roads by yourself or with others, remove all material from roadway.
Track your hours and mileage, report to John Errecart
Miles: Approximately 3.2 on Rd 5587.
Trail Boss: All members

Spring Trail Ride Prep
2023-04-08 09:00 - 2023-04-16 17:00
Ride/Clear trail(s) in the Little Thompson area to prepare for the spring trail ride on 4/22 as weather permits. Tools: Chainsaw, hand clippers, hand saws, etc.
What to Bring/How to Help: hand clipper, hand saws, help by holding stock, clear trail of cut material, etc.
Riding Miles: 5-10
Trailboss: John Errecart
