Popular trailhead transferring from private to public property

Bozeman Creek Trailhead Permanently Protected

By Alison Grey, 1-05-08

It may only be about four acres, but the land that encompasses and surrounds the west side of the Bozeman Creek Trailhead is the base of one of the most popular recreational destination points in the valley, and now, that land is guaranteed to be protected in perpetuity.

Landowners, Michael Delaney and Ileana Indreland, decided to give a parcel of their land to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust instead of pursuing potential development. This donation will ensure public access to one of Bozeman’s most used, and loved, trails for both winter and summer recreation. This donation also marks the first time the Land Trust has taken outright ownership of property.

“Our objective is to transfer the property to a public agency for permanent conservation within the year,” said Stephen Johnson, GVLT executive director. “Although it is a new experience for us to be interim landowners, we accepted this gift because it is so critical to preserving high quality access to our public lands.”

Possible purchasers of the land include the City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, and U.S. Forest Service.

Bozeman Creek Trail is a wide road that gently winds nine miles up to Mystic Lake and has connecting trails that provide access to Hyalite Canyon and Bear Canyon. It is also possible to hike from this trailhead to Yellowstone National Park without ever crossing a paved road. In the winter, the trail is groomed for Nordic skiing by the Bridger Ski Foundation. The donated land is the public’s main access point.

“This parcel is one of the bookends of the Main Street to the Mountains trail system, and helps to complete the vision of a continuous trail system from Main Street to the National Forest,” said Stuart Jennings, GVLT Director, describing the organization’s effort to have a fully-connected trail system from Bridger to Hyalite.

The Land Trust is already in the process of evaluating the land for potential improvements, including toilets and making the parking lot wider to accommodate the burgeoning number of people that flock to the trailhead every weekend.

For any of us who have tried to cram our car into an awkward parking spot or had to park way down the windy narrow road leading up to the parking area, this would be a welcome improvement.

The donated land also provides a buffer for Bozeman Creek, a major tributary to the East Gallatin River and an important contributor to our municipal watershed, with nearly one-third mile of frontage alongside the creek.

The area, a narrow section of rich riparian habitat at the mouth of the canyon, is also a major corridor for birds, elk, bobcat, mountain lion and bear. It is a highly-traveled and well-used piece of property for both humans and animals, and Johnson hopes that its permanent conservation will help the two co-exist and enjoy the land well for years to come.

The animals can have their land, and I can have my outhouse! Sounds like a win-win situation!

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