One attraction to the many homeowners who have purchased lots on the Double Arrow Ranch is the extent and variety of the common areas. These are lands owned by DARLOA, the homeowners association, and are available to all residents for their enjoyment. Since association common areas are also open to the public, this is a benefit to the wider Seeley Lake community. It’s one way the Ranch adds to the attractiveness of our valley.
Let’s take a look at some of these common areas in more detail, and then learn about a possible swap for some county land in the upper reaches of the Ranch.
There are 10 common areas on Double Arrow Ranch, totalling more than 150 acres: Double Arrow Road Commons, Grayling Court, Homestead, Old Ski Hill, Overland Heights, Rainbow Court, Spring Creek, Trail Creek, Wagon Wheel Flats and Whitetail Aspens. In addition to these DARLOA properties, the Ranch is also home to Drew Creek Park, a 38 acre unimproved parcel owned by Missoula County, about 4 miles east of Highway 83.
To help you figure out where these areas are, how big they are, and some of the recommended activities for each, there is a map on the DARLOA website home page (www.darloa.com - login is not required). Click on “Darloa on Google Maps” to see where the areas are. Here you will find not only the names and locations, but also links that indicate the boundary of each area, so it’s clear where private property begins.
Certainly our most well-known and well-used area is Homestead Commons, which offers great mountain views, the riparian area along Trail Creek and our historic homestead cabin. This facility, along with the adjacent pavilion, is available for public and private events, and can be reserved by contacting our DARLOA office manager at 677-2030, or darloa@blackfoot.net.
On the west side of Highway 83 we have the Wagon Wheel Flats common area, a 30 acre area complete with a ⅔ mile trail. Last year a bed of wood chips was put down on the trail, so there is now a year-round path that is fairly flat, has a couple of benches for those needing a rest and is a good wintertime trail that is groomed for walking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Above Wagon Wheel Flats we have the Overland Heights common area, our largest at about 35 acres, and adjoining state lands in the Hill 16 area. Presently unimproved, this area has an access trail marked, and is a great place for hiking in the summer.
Let’s turn now to another historic common area on the Double Arrow Ranch, the Old Ski Hill. With its convenient location just ¼ mile east of the highway, this has been a sledding hill for years, and for those who hike to the top there is a tremendous view of the surrounding area. The name comes from its former life as one of Montana’s first (if not THE first) ski areas.
There are photos from the 1930’s in the Seeley Lake Historical Society Museum (just south of town on Highway 83) of skiers packing snow under the rope tow. As you see when driving past the Ski Hill, there is a cabin on the lower end, formerly used as an office by both DARLOA and the AOA Condominium Association. Neither organization has use for the building now.
Coupled with its location on a very accessible nine-acre site, DARLOA is investigating a trade with Missoula County of Drew Creek Park for The Old Ski Hill. Drew Creek Park would become another of our common areas, and Missoula County would take over the Ski Hill along with the cabin. What would this mean for the Seeley Lake community?
As a Double Arrow Ranch common area, Drew Creek Park would remain essentially as it is today: accessible to the public and a gateway to Lolo National Forest land. As with other common areas, DARLOA may make improvements to parking and possibly designate a picnic area, but overall it would remain undeveloped forest land in keeping with the surroundings. Should Missoula County acquire the Ski Hill and cabin, they would have a parcel of land much easier for county residents to visit. They would also have a building that could serve as a warming area in the winter, and a utility space for various outdoor events in the summer such as community gatherings and picnics. The area could also support an event venue with a possible band shell and uphill seating to accommodate theatrical events like Shakespeare in the Park, Alpine Artisan events and musical events that Seeley Lake hosts.
The possibility of swapping Drew Creek Park for the Old Ski Hill common area is something that can happen only with significant support from the Seeley Lake Community. We’d like to ask everyone who has an interest in this matter to give DARLOA your opinions. Any other questions about either parcel of land can be sent in as well.
Please email us with your ideas and questions at darloa@blackfoot.net, or mail to DARLOA, P.O. Box 307, Seeley Lake Montana 59868.
Once the community sentiment is provided to Missoula County, it can be decided if the swap should move ahead. Certainly there are legal considerations from the County, but as things evolve, the community will be kept informed.
As a Seeley Lake development for the past 45 years, Double Arrow Ranch wants to be a good neighbor. We want to enhance the value we all place on living in the valley. Regardless of what happens with the Ski Hill, remember that our common areas can be enjoyed by everyone, and will continue to make this “A Place for All.”
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