2.7 miles
Distance
713 ft
Climb
-434 ft
Descent
00:43:29
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Mount Helena Ridge (Upper) Trail

Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
    • Nordic Ski
  • Riding Area
    South Hills
    Helena, Montana
  • Ref Number
    #373
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Snow Grooming
    Backcountry
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    April - November
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop
  • Global Ranking
    #6178 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #57443 in Trail Running
    • #12478 in Hiking
    • #3392 in Skiing
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 75 in Trail Running
    • 85 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
    • 100 in Snowshoeing
    • 5 in Skiing
  • Land Owner
    USFS

The Mount Helena Ridge Trail is the centerpiece of Helena's South Hills trail network. It runs for nearly six miles from the community of Park City to the Mount Helena City Park. It offers great views of the Helena Valley in either direction. The Ridge Trail also provides access to two popular downhills: Emmett's Trail and Show-Me-The-Horse Trail.

The trail starts with a climb of approximately 600' in 1.5 miles from the trailhead parking lot. This is the rockiest part of the trail, and the part that beginners or less-skilled intermediate riders will find challenging. From the top of the ridge, the trail tread is much smoother, and there is very little climbing ahead. The trail drops into a saddle via a series of switchbacks, and has a short, loose climb out of the saddle. From here, the trail is more open and follows the ridgeline. This is a great trail for all abilities, although advanced riders will prefer to exit onto one of the two downhills mentioned above.

The upper third of the Mount Helena Ridge Trail ends at the junction with Mini Ridge and Emmett's Trail. This is the steepest and most heavily forested part of the trail, and the last to open in the spring.

Access Info

Ride or drive south out of Helena via Park Avenue, which turns into West Main Street. At the fork in the road, turn right onto Grizzly Gulch. Drive up Grizzly Gulch, past the gold mine, into the open park. Turn right onto Prospector Gulch Road. This junction is marked by a road sign, a sign towards the trailhead, and several mailboxes. Helena's Trail Rider shuttle service drops passengers here during the summer. Continue up Prospector Gulch Road to the trailhead parking lot.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Mount Helena Ridge Trail (Upper) multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    277 ft
  • Altitude min
    5,223 ft
  • Altitude max
    5,822 ft
  • Altitude start
    5,223 ft
  • Altitude end
    5,499 ft
  • Grade
    1.9%
  • Grade max
    -33.4%
  • Grade min
    41.2%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    4,140 ft
  • Distance flat
    1,007 ft
  • Avg time
    00:43:29
  • Avg reverse time
    00:24:47
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Mar 10, 2023
Snow Covered
Avg: 4.45 (15 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Basemap 
  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
3D
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
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  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
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      Directions to mount-helena-ridge-trail-upper-3814 trailhead (46.542560, -112.120220)
      update trails status or condition

      Mount Helena... Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Mar 10, 2023 @ 7:22am
      Mar 10, 2023
      		 reporter Snowing today- it's not ready yet, 6 plates.
      Nov 7, 2022 @ 6:52am
      Nov 7, 2022
      		 reporter Significant snowfall morning of Nov 7
      Nov 2, 2022 @ 7:31am
      Nov 2, 2022
      		 reporter Snow on morning of 11/2. Cold snap to follow.
      Nov 1, 2022 @ 11:47am
      Nov 1, 2022
      		 reporter Most snow is gone, but be careful in some low, shady areas.
      Oct 23, 2022 @ 10:10am
      Oct 23, 2022
      		 reporter First snowfall of fall 2022
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 16 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      All
      • 1,891 rides
      • Last: Jan 2, 2023

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Photos

      more »
      22 |
      Sep 27, 2021 @ 6:15am
      Sep 27, 2021
      12 |
      Sep 25, 2021 @ 9:16am
      Sep 25, 2021
      419 |
      Oct 21, 2014 @ 7:32am
      Oct 21, 2014
      276 |
      Oct 21, 2014 @ 7:32am
      Oct 21, 2014

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Mount Helena Ridge to Show-Me-the-Horse featured6 miles
      Mount Helena Ridge - Hogsback - Horse13 miles
      Mount Helena Ridge - Emmett's - Horse11 miles
      Show Me the Hog6 miles

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      Videos

      more »
      Free Mountain Bike Shuttles in Helena, MT
      4:59 | 163 | Jul 28, 2021 , Helena
      Helena, MT Trail Mix pt. 2 | Mountain Bike |...
      11:31 | 272 | Jul 31, 2020 , Helena
      Helena Ridge First Drop Attempt
      192 | May 20, 2022 , Helena
      Helena Ridge First Drop Attempt
      | May 15, 2022 , Helena

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