Volunteers are needed to lead free hikes and put on snowshoes Saturday Feb. 6 for the annual Winter Trails Day.
The event is sponsored by Get Fit Great Falls and the U.S. Forest Service and throughout the day more than 200 people – many of whom have never snowshoed before or don’t own snowshoes – will hit trails at Kings Hill Winter Recreational Area outside of Neihart.
The first hike departs at 10 a.m. Saturday but volunteers are asked to be there at 9:30 for orientation. Hikes continue to start out at 15 minute intervals throughout the day.
The event is entirely driven by dedicated volunteers – more than 40 people give their time to encourage more people to enjoy the wilderness and be more active.
Between two and three guides are needed for each hike. Volunteers who are comfortable on snowshoes, but don’t know the trails can be positioned at the end and be available to guide snowshoers who are struggling back to the start point.
Another six to eight volunteers with no snowshoe skills or experience are needed to help with parking, registration and helping newbies with their snowshoes.
Volunteers don’t need to commit to the full day, but will need their own transportation and are advised to wear warm clothes.
To register for a hike or volunteer, please call Dave Cunningham at 791-7700 or email dcunningham01@fs.fed.us.
