Introduction

 

The Sacred Door Trail is a 200-mile non-denominational pilgrimage trail in southwestern Montana that celebrates the interdependent relationship between self, Earth, community, and the numinous (mystery, awe, wonder, the sacred). It is a compilation of pre-existing National Forest Service trails that make up a loop that explores some of the most beautiful mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers in the United States. The trail serves as a bridge deepening our connection to ourselves, each other and to our original church, our original temple— Mother Earth. It is a celebration of our rich spiritual diversity as humans, but more importantly, it honors the spirit that unifies all things, thereby turning the many into One.

On June 28-30th of 2012, local leaders from diverse faith-based and indigenous groups, as well as various other community, peace, and environmental groups gathered together to bless the land in their own ways to establish it as a shared sacred. Every time people gather on the land in a spirit of community or hike the trail from an intentional and connected place in themselves, they feed the soul of the space. In turn the land reciprocates through insights that offer a deeper understandings into who they are, where they come from, and where they want to go. With this new wisdom, hikers then return home to their communities to plant and share the seeds of these new understandings through the words and actions of their unfolding lives.

The Sacred Door Trail is not meant to be a destination hike. Its founding purpose is to serve as an example of what communities can do when they come together in a spirit of unity. It is a living prayer that we hope will encourage others to create similar projects in their own regions. If you feel inspired to create something like the SDT in your neck of the woods, please reach out to us, and we’ll do what we can to help.

Honoring the History of the Land

Prior to colonization The Big Hole Valley was a shared hunting and travel corridor for many indigenous tribes, but primarily the Selis (Bitterroot Salish) and the Newe (Shoshone). The land is also home to part of the route the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) traveled in an effort to reach Canada to avoid U.S persecution in 1877. Sadly, they were stopped 40-miles south of the border and placed on a reservation in north-central Idaho.

 
 

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For general inquiries, trail information, and guidebooks contact: thesacreddoortrail@gmail.com