Five Valleys is seeking proposals from qualified entities to construct approximately 0.75 miles of universal access trail at the Skyline Ridge Trailhead and 4.3 miles of single-track trail across the landscape of the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest beginning in Summer 2026, or when project funding is completed. This includes the “Accessible Overlook Trail” and the “Skyline to Inez Trail.” Five Valleys is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive selection process consistent with applicable grant requirements.
The Mount Dean Stone Community Forest consists of 2,470 acres of forest land along the southern skyline of Missoula, Montana which is currently owned by Five Valleys Land Trust. The property is situated between City of Missoula Conservation Lands, Montana State Land, and the Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area within the Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest. This project is located on land acquired with assistance from the USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program and is funded in part by state and local public funds.
Interested parties should download and thoroughly review the RFP prior to bid submission:
Please email submissions in PDF form to Ben Horan, Associate Director, at ben@fvlt.org by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026 or by mail to Ben Horan, 120 Hickory St, Suite B, Missoula MT 59801. Failure to address required details and project proposal may result in disqualification from consideration. Project will be awarded by May 1st, start date is yet to be determined.
Header photo of the Legacy Point Trail on the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest by Lee Boman
