{"id":2128196,"date":"2026-09-04T14:46:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2128196"},"modified":"2026-09-04T14:46:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T11:46:29","slug":"montana-invests-2-million-in-recreation-and-trails-on-former-anaconda-industrial-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2128196","title":{"rendered":"Montana invests $2 million in recreation and trails on former Anaconda industrial site"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div id=\"wp_content_article\" class=\"st_article_class\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"881\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20881%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-1170x881.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725705 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-1170x881.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-750x565.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-2048x1542.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cooper-Link-looking-West-EA-600x452.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Emily Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anaconda, Montana, has its roots in copper \u2014 well, copper smelting, that is. Copper ore was mined nearby, but the process of extracting the copper from the ore happened in Anaconda. Decades of cleanup and restoration followed the smelting site\u2019s closure in 1980, and recreation is now poised to play a larger role in the future of Anaconda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Montana is putting roughly $2 million from its Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) toward recreation in the city. And a good chunk of that funding is going toward new trails at the former copper smelting site.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20878%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-1170x878.jpeg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725706 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-1170x878.jpeg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-750x563.jpeg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Phat-Track-600x450.jpeg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phat Track Trail Company working on Copper Link. Photo: Emily Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-copper-link-is-the-start-serving-as-a-new-backbone-of-the-community\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Copper Link is the start, serving as a new \u201cbackbone\u201d of the community<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Anaconda Smelter processed copper ore from nearby Butte and was the backbone of the local economy,\u201d Emily Adams, President of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anacondatrails.org\/\">Anaconda Trail Society<\/a> (ATS), told Singletracks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"singl-0f695c2273559264cfe986d544b78fbf singl-content\" id=\"singl-0f695c2273559264cfe986d544b78fbf\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recreation and trails could be a new backbone, with the newly built Copper Link trail (appropriately named)  serving that purpose. Adams shared that it was originally called the \u201cFoundation Trail\u201d and was built to serve two purposes. First, ATS wanted to build an accessible trail that could be accessed right from town. Next, they wanted Copper Link to \u201cserve as the backbone for a larger trail system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Copper Link is a roughly 3-mile trail that climbs over 400 feet above Anaconda, passes through conifer forests and aspen groves, and offers spectacular views of the city. One such vantage point overlooks the Anaconda Smelter stack, which is still in place.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"881\" height=\"1170\" data-id=\"725707\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20881%201170%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-881x1170.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725707 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-881x1170.jpg 881w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-565x750.jpg 565w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-768x1020.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-Opening-EA-600x797.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"881\" height=\"1170\" data-id=\"725708\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20881%201170%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-881x1170.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725708 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-881x1170.jpg 881w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-565x750.jpg 565w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-768x1020.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/phat-Trak-mini-ex2-EA-600x797.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px\"><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Photos: Emily Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trail is green and designed to be multi-use. However, it does feature a few punchy climbs, rolling grade reversals, and bermed turns, \u201cso you can have fun pumping through it rather than feeling like you\u2019re just riding a flat beginner trail.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"singl-12a0d3b2bcf10d995494ba167c2bf4fb singl-content\" id=\"singl-12a0d3b2bcf10d995494ba167c2bf4fb\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the NRDP funds are helping with big-picture recreation plans in Anaconda, ATS played a significant role in getting Copper Link up and running. ATS fundraised for the trail design, then secured a $60,000 Trail Stewardship Grant from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks that required the club to match the funds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams said the NRDP funding helped wrap up the Copper Link project, but more went toward the other trails built this summer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"659\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20659%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-1170x659.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725711 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-1170x659.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-750x422.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-2048x1153.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Stack-View2-MW-600x338.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Anaconda Smelter stack still stands. Photo: Matt Windsor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-there-are-5-more-miles-of-new-trail-on-the-north-side-of-town\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">There are 5 more miles of new trail on the north side of town<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere aren\u2019t industrial ruins directly incorporated into Copper Link, but the setting itself tells that story,\u201d Adams said. \u201cYou\u2019re riding across hills that were heavily impacted by Anaconda\u2019s smelting history and are now green, revegetated, and being used for recreation. To me, that transformation is one of the coolest features of the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re looking for direct remnants of copper smelting history, Adams points riders to the five new miles of trail that were also built this summer. While Copper Link is south of Anaconda, these new trails are located just north of town.<\/p>\n<div class=\"singl-dbee253928066453e883bc7d028a1129 singl-content\" id=\"singl-dbee253928066453e883bc7d028a1129\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"881\" data-id=\"725710\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20881%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-1170x881.jpg\" alt=\"A scenic view from a hillside featuring a dirt path, greenery, and a distant town. The landscape includes fields, patches of water, and mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds. A prominent industrial structure is visible in the background, adding depth to the rural setting.\" class=\"wp-image-725710 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-1170x881.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-750x565.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-2048x1542.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-View-East-EA-600x452.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"881\" data-id=\"725709\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20881%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-1170x881.jpg\" alt=\"A panoramic view of a valley with a small town nestled below and hills in the background. In the foreground, a partially collapsed stone wall is visible, with scattered bricks and gravel. A tall smokestack rises from the landscape, and the sky is blue with a few clouds, indicating clear weather.\" class=\"wp-image-725709 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-1170x881.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-750x565.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-2048x1542.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flume-Remnants-EA-600x452.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOne of those trails passes by a historic flume that once served the smelting operations, so pieces of Anaconda\u2019s industrial history are woven throughout the larger trail system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three other trails built this summer \u2014 101, 102, and 103 (Adams said they aren\u2019t named yet) \u2014 also lean toward beginner-friendly. Trails 101 and 103 are both green, while 102 is blue. All the new trails trade around 500 feet of elevation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"776\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20776%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-1170x776.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725712 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-1170x776.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-750x498.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-1536x1019.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-2048x1359.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Stucky-Ridge-Mt-Haggin-DD-e1788495508933-600x398.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trails 101, 102, and 103 are north of Anaconda at Stucky Ridge. Photo: Drew DeWolf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like many areas building new trail systems, Anaconda is starting with easier trails to ensure access for all. Phat Trak Trail Company built Copper Link, while DeWolf Trail Excavation built the three trails on the north side of Anaconda.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-copper-supported-the-economy-but-now-perhaps-recreation-can\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Copper supported the economy, but now perhaps recreation can<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnaconda has always had incredible recreation around it, but historically, a lot of our mountain biking meant knowing where to go, traveling out of town, exploring old roads, out-and-backs, and trails built long before modern mountain biking,\u201d Adams said. \u201cNow we\u2019re starting to build an actual connected, purpose-built trail system.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"singl-b141bfdbc1a5e9f7a8c58f5c103f5c8e singl-content\" id=\"singl-b141bfdbc1a5e9f7a8c58f5c103f5c8e\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4080\" height=\"2704\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%204080%202704%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725715 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited.jpg 4080w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-750x497.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-1170x775.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-2048x1357.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/stucky-ridge-group-ride-EA-edited-600x398.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4080px) 100vw, 4080px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Emily Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And one that is significantly closer to town. Anaconda, Montana, sits in an outdoor mecca between destinations like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/the-marshall-mountain-land-deal-almost-killed-missoula-mtb-but-sparked-a-trail-building-boom-instead\/\">Missoula<\/a>, Helena, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/new-dh-and-climbing-route-will-add-balance-to-bozeman-montana-trail-offerings\/\">Bozeman<\/a>. Especially when it comes to mountain biking, these are exactly the places that locals are heading \u2014 and trail access often means taking a road trip.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams told us that when the copper smelting site was closed decades ago, it left fairly widespread environmental contamination, but also a hole in the local economy. But the community was committed to cleanup, and over the decades, businesses began moving in and opening up shop. \u201cOutdoor recreation is becoming a bigger part of our future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current plan dates back to 2023, when the county began an Open Lands planning process. Adams shared that a fairly extensive survey was conducted of the Anaconda community, specifically focused on what residents wanted to see happen with the old copper site. Trails were at the top of the list.<\/p>\n<div class=\"singl-4a9bb4953cc183a60521d2118ff33888 singl-content\" id=\"singl-4a9bb4953cc183a60521d2118ff33888\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s what makes this trail development so exciting,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThese lands are recovering, and we now have an opportunity to bring people back onto them through trails and recreation while also contributing to the next chapter of Anaconda and its health.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And Adams teased that this is just the \u201cfirst phase of what\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"780\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201170%20780%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-1170x780.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-725713 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copper-Link-C-Hill-EA-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Copper Link cuts through an aspen grove. Photo: Emily Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>The news stinks. Why not <a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqLAgKIiZDQklTRmdnTWFoSUtFSE5wYm1kc1pYUnlZV05yY3k1amIyMG9BQVAB?ceid=US:en&amp;oc=3\" rel=\"nofollow\">follow Singletracks on Google News<\/a> to bring more joy to your day?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&lt;!&#8211;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>Related articles<\/h4>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8211;&gt;<\/p>\n<div style=\"height: 30px\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tjQuery(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpostpayloads._2855ade4b135229d6383a07b6d127415 = {&#8220;ids&#8221;:&#8221;651508,679986,724080,721394&#8243;,&#8221;posts_per_page&#8221;:null,&#8221;offset&#8221;:0,&#8221;style&#8221;:&#8221;4up&#8221;};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpostcounter._2855ade4b135229d6383a07b6d127415 = {start: 0, step: 0, end: 0};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\" style=\"background: #fff\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/turning-a-landfill-into-singletrack-treasure-in-virginia-is-no-easy-task\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201%201%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2023-01-17-Sunset-Park-Pre-Build-with-Dwayne-For-Web-1020-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"Two men stand on a gravel overlook, gazing at a town below surrounded by rolling hills. One man is pointing towards the landscape, while the other listens attentively. The sky is overcast, and the scene conveys a sense of exploration and conversation.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/bike-trails\/region\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/turning-a-landfill-into-singletrack-treasure-in-virginia-is-no-easy-task\/\">Turning a Landfill into Singletrack Treasure in Virginia is No Easy Task<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/a-historic-montana-trail-is-being-resurrected-creating-a-23-mile-high-alpine-epic\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201%201%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/3x2-10-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"A scenic view of a mountainous landscape featuring lush green forests and a vast expanse of blue sky. The foreground includes a mix of evergreen trees and some with brown foliage, indicating varying health. In the distance, rolling hills extend towards a layer of fog, creating a tranquil and picturesque atmosphere.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/bike-trails\/region\/montana\/\">Montana<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/a-historic-montana-trail-is-being-resurrected-creating-a-23-mile-high-alpine-epic\/\">A historic Montana trail is being resurrected to create a 23-mile high-alpine epic<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix visible-xs\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/columbia-falls-montana-will-soon-boast-25-miles-of-singletrack\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201%201%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cedar-flats-views-cedar-ridge-trail-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"A mountain bike is positioned in the foreground, with the handlebars and grips visible. The bike is on a gravel trail surrounded by a forest of tall evergreen trees and colorful autumn foliage. In the background, rolling mountains are visible under a partly cloudy sky.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/bike-trails\/region\/montana\/\">Montana<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/columbia-falls-montana-will-soon-boast-25-miles-of-singletrack\/\">Columbia Falls, Montana will soon boast 25 miles of singletrack<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/new-dh-and-climbing-route-will-add-balance-to-bozeman-montana-trail-offerings\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201%201%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_3013-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Terraflow Trail Systems\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/bike-trails\/region\/montana\/\">Montana<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/mtb-trails\/new-dh-and-climbing-route-will-add-balance-to-bozeman-montana-trail-offerings\/\">New DH and climbing route will add balance to Bozeman, Montana, trail offerings<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix visible-xs\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Photo: Emily Adams Anaconda, Montana, has its roots in copper \u2014 well, copper smelting, that is. Copper ore was mined nearby, but the process of extracting the copper from the ore happened in Anaconda. Decades of cleanup and restoration followed the smelting site\u2019s closure in 1980, and recreation is now poised to play a larger [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,274],"class_list":["post-2128196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-singletracks-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2128196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128196\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2128196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2128196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2128196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}