Superior's Turner honored for work with Healthy, Happy Hikers

By BERT LINDLER

For the Mineral Independent

Monte Turner of Superior has been recognized by the Montana Wilderness Association for his role in organizing the Healthy, Happy Hikers of Mineral County.

Turner was one of seven Montanans recognized with a Brass Lantern award (https://wildmontana.org/wild-life/mwa-volunteer-awards).

Before the era of flashlights and headlamps, mountaineers carried candle lanterns on their overnights.

Each summer from 2015 to 2019, the Healthy, Happy Hikers took a dozen or more day hikes, most in the mountains along the Idaho-Montana border.

The group was supported by the Montana Wilderness Association, the Great Burn Conservation Alliance, the Lolo National Forest, and at various times, the Mineral Community Hospital and the Mineral County Health Department.

One of the most important hike supporters was the Pioneer Council’s shuttle bus and its volunteer drivers, when roads and the bus schedule permitted. Not only could hikers enjoy visiting while they were together on the bus, the bus could drop them at one trailhead and pick them up at another, making it relatively easy to enjoy the Illinois Peak hike from the pass above Missoula Lake to Freezeout Pass.

A full summer of hikes were planned for 2020 before it became clear that the Covid pandemic would prevent the standard sponsors from continuing their support for the summer’s hikes.

Jim Goss of Superior managed an email list over the summer that allowed the hikes to continue informally while socially distanced.

If you would like to join the 2021 informal hikes, email Jim Goss: jgossorcreich@blackfoot.net.

-30-

Monte Turner (at the far end of the line) with other intrepid Healthy, Happy Hikers on the trail above

Bonanza Lakes: from left, Jay Gore, Jim Cyr, Kathy Woodford, Doug Austin, Monte Turner. (Bert Lindler photo)