The Trail is a joint project of the Missoula and Seeley Lake Community Foundations. The idea began in Seeley Lake in 2011, where local residents swapped stories about celebrated author Norman Maclean and his brother Paul hiking from Missoula to Seeley Lake in a day. Before long, the Seeley Lake Community Foundation adopted the trail as a leadership project and enlisted the Missoula Community Found
ation’s partnership. In the spirit of the route Norman and Paul Maclean and others before and after have walked, the 60-70 mile Norman Maclean Trail will connect the Missoula and Seeley-Swan Valleys. The vision of the trail is to link communities while connecting people with the natural and cultural history of the area. It will help Missoula and Seeley Lake form an urban-rural partnership. It will also honor a great American author and will bring together non-motorized recreation enthusiasts of all stripes in an effort to plan and steward the trail for the enjoyment of all. Trail users will enjoy plants, animals, streams, scenic vistas and fellow adventurers, while learning about those who journeyed before us through a written tour guide and map. It will attract local, regional and national hikers, bikers, skiers and equestrians, stimulating the economy in western Montana while promoting healthy outdoor activities that energize the mind, body and spirit. Contact us if you are interested in getting involved. We have many volunteer opportunities, including route scouting, trail restoration, mapping, photography, research, writing, fundraising and promotion.
