Our History
Let’s take a trip back to 1883 when John M. Foy entered the Flathead Valley.
Recent Highlights
2020 – Current
In September of 2020 a fresh new kiosk map was installed at Herron Park, replacing the original 2014 version and showcasing the expanded, updated trail system.
In 2024, FTBT began a full rebrand and website update, while also uniting the Herron and Trail races into one exciting race weekend. The new brand and consolidated race schedule officially launched in 2025.
1883
John M. Foy
John Moroni Foy arrived in the Flathead Valley by wagon train with his wife and eight children. The following year, he claimed a homestead on the north end of an unnamed lake west of the settlement of Ashley—what we now know as Kalispell.
There, he established a successful sawmill, and the lake soon took on his name: Foy’s Lake. When the nearby community of Demersville began to grow, settlers looked to Foy for the lumber they needed to build homes, stores, and saloons.
FTBT OVER THE YEARS
Timeline
Past Logo – 2005-2024
1977
Flathead County obtains 120 acres of Iven Herron’s grazing/timber property for use as a public park. (Part of the land was donated, part purchased. Later named Iven C. Herron Memorial Park, it is at that time by far the county’s largest park.
1978
Flathead Combined Training Association (FCTA) approaches Flathead County Parks, requesting that they allow FCTA to make improvements to the park (cleanup, running electricity, building stables, arenas and more) creating an attractive equestrian facility suitable for three-day eventing. Flathead County Parks approves and FCTA begins to significantly improve Herron Park.
2001
Trail enthusiasts begin meeting to discuss ways to protect public access to the lands extending south from Herron Park to Blacktail Mountain. The early name for this group was the Birch Creek Trail Project. Later, they renamed the group Foys to Blacktail Trails.
2005
Foys to Blacktail Trails Inc. receives 501(c) (3) non-profit status from the IRS (FTBT had been temporarily operating under the umbrella of the Flathead Land Trust).
2006
John and Myron Chase donate a permanent conservation easement on their 160-acre property to the Montana Land Reliance. Their grandfather homesteaded in this property in 1910
2007
Spring 2007
Secured a permanent trail easement from John and Myron Chase on the 160 acre Chase Family Forest property.
Summer 2007
Secured a permit from Plum Creek Timber and built a “connector trail” from the 320-acre parcel to the Chase Family Forest property; also built trail on the Chase Family Forest property.
Fall 2007
FTBT arranged for The Conservation Fund to bridge buy the 320-acre parcel above Herron Park to prevent it from being sold and closed to the public. Conservation Fund initially allows 2 years to raise the $2.3 million (including interest and expenses) needed to purchase the property. Though private property, this parcel is used heavily by the public , and is the gateway to forested lands extending south to Blacktail Mountain.
2008
Spring 2008
FTBT secured a commitment from Flathead County to own any permanent trail easements that can be established on private land in the Foys to Blacktail area of interest.
Summer 2008
Montana Conservation Corps works with FTBT to build the Overlook Trail, allowing users to easily gain access to the top of the ridge overlooking Foys Lake and the Flathead and Smith Valleys.
2009
February 2009
The Conservation Fund extends deadline to September 2012 for purchase of the 320-acre parcel, allowing time for FTBT to develop and execute a formal capital campaign.
June 2009
In partnership with Montana Conservation Corps (MCC), FTBT improved the tread over the length of the Plum Creek Connector, Foys Overlook, and Chase Family Forest trails.
October 2009
FTBT’s Trails Committee completes a proposed Master Trails Plan that will integrate existing and proposed trails for The Conservation Fund property and county-owned Herron Park.
November 2009
Flathead County Commissioners sign agreement to accept The Conservation Fund land and manage it as part of Herron Park if FTBT is successful in its attempt to purchase this property.
December 2009
Foys to Blacktail Trails Inc. (FTBT) is notified that it will receive a $70,000 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant, administered by the State of Montana. Funds are to be used to help purchase the first 40-acre parcel of the 320-acre Conservation Fund property. Once purchased, FTBT will add it to Herron Park so that the public will enjoy permanent access to this property.
2010
February 2010
Thanks to a grant from the Sustainability Fund, FTBT hired its first staff member, Jill Seigmund, a part-time administrative assistant.
March 2010
The Canyon Ferry Trust, administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, grants $40,000 to FTBT to be used for purchase of The Conservation Fund land.
April 2010
The Flathead County Parks Board, with approval of the County Commissioners, notifies FTBT that it will receive $62,500 for land purchase from the county’s Cash in Lieu fund.
Thanks to a Recreational Trails Program grant, FTBT and Montana Conservation Corps build new trails in Herron Park. These include the Family Trail, Direct Route, Horse Trail, and more.
Summer/Fall 2010
FTBT’s electronic trail use counter confirms our casual observations: More people than ever are using The Conservation Fund property that FTBT is raising funds to purchase and add to Herron Park.
December 2010
FTBT completes Phase 1: Purchase of the first 40 acres of the The Conservation Fund property. FTBT donates this 40 acres to Flathead County as an addition to Herron Park.
2011
May 2011
Montana Conservation Corps and FTBT volunteers complete The Notch Trail, just in time for the Herron Hustle.
November 2011
FTBT completes Phase 2: Purchase of another 60 acres of The Conservation Fund property. FTBT donates that 60 acres to Flathead County as an addition to Herron Park.
2012
July 2012
FTBT completes Phase 3: Purchase of another 50 acres of The Conservation Fund property.
September 2012
U.S. Forest Service announces award of a $400,000 Community Forest Grant to Flathead County to assist with land purchase to expand Herron Park and create a community forest.
2013
April 2013
FTBT transfers Phase 3 land to Herron Park.
July 2013
FTBT completes Phases 4 & 5: Purchase of 110 acres of the Conservation Fund property, with simultaneous transfer to Flathead County Parks as an addition to Herron Park.
2014
March 2014
The Flathead County Parks Board, with approval of the County Commissioners, notifies FTBT that it will receive $20,000 toward Phase 6 land purchase from the county’s Cash in Lieu fund.
April 2014
MT Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust notifies FTBT that it will receive $40,000 toward the purchase of Phase 6.
June 2014
Montana State Parks RTP Program notifies FTBT that it will receive $30,000 toward purchase of Phase 6.
October 2014
On October 30, FTBT finished raising funds to add the final 60 acres to Herron Park, ending the $2.25 million campaign that began in 2007.
December 2014
On December 17, FTBT closed on the final 60 acres in the 320-acre land acquisition effort, and transferred it to Flathead County Parks as an addition to Herron Park. Herron Park is now 440 acres large.
2015
June 2015
Work begins on the Boundary Trail, along the ridgeline on the west boundary of Herron Park.
2016
Summer 2016
Rebuilt climbing switchbacks on upper Boundary Trail; started construction on lower Boundary Trail with volunteers and an MCC crew.
2017
February 2017
The Flathead County Commissioners approved easements through private land to build a trail from Herron Park south towards Blacktail Mountain.
May 2017
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) awarded FTBT $90,000 in order to fund the Foys to Blacktail Trail.
Spring 2017
Boundary Trail part 2 is completed, connecting the bottom of the original Boundary Trail to the Chase Trail singletrack. Locals dubbed it “the Spirit Bear Connector.”
Summer 2017
Construction on the Foys to Blacktail Trail is completed in early August. Forest Service designation is Trail #185.
2018
June 2018
Construction of the Emmons Spring Trail is completed. This trail leads to a fresh water source from the Foys to Blacktail Trail 3/4 mile to the spring. Forest Service designation is Trail #185A. Final work on the Emmons Spring Trailhead (hitching post, spring box, and rock staircase from Patrick Creek Road to trail tread) will be completed in the near future.
September 2018
Updated trail maps and place name signs put in the ground for the Foys to Blacktail Trail.
2020
September 2020
The new kiosk map at Herron Park was installed to replace the original map installed in 2014, showing the updated trail system.
2024 - 2025
Foys to Blacktail Trails goes through a complete rebrand and website overhaul to better showcase the organization as a whole. New logos representing the trail system as well as the distinctive and recognizable dome atop Blacktail Mountain, showing the connection from valley to mountain peak.
New brand visuals and colors are developed with a refresh on imagery, maps, and how the brand is and should be represented.
2026
The new website launches in January of 2026 to help users and visitors engage with Foys to Blacktail Trails and their new image.