more stats
4,888 ft
Distance
283 ft
Climb
-39 ft
Descent
00:12:20
Avg time
244 ft
Altitude change
4,953 ft
Altitude min
5,213 ft
Altitude max
4,969 ft
Altitude start
5,213 ft
Altitude end
5%
Grade
-8.1%
Grade max
21.9%
Grade min
3,527 ft
Distance climb
922 ft
Distance down
397 ft
Distance flat
00:12:20
Avg time

Mt Ascension Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Gravel Bike
    • Winter Fat Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
  • Riding Area
    South Hills
    Helena, Montana
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 90 in Trail Running
    • 95 in Hiking
    • 5 in Snowshoeing
  • Global Ranking
    #62291 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #51960 in Trail Running
    • #24194 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Snow Grooming
    Backcountry
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat, CX, Gravel
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Face
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Year Opened
    2010
  • Land Owner
    City of Helena

The Mount Ascension Loop Trail runs along a densely wooded slope on the north side of Mount Ascension. The trees are tighter here than on any other trail in the South Hills, so watch your bars. After the trail crosses the Mount Ascension Ridge and into a south-facing slope, it opens up considerably and rolls along a more open hillside in lazy switchbacks that climb to the saddle.

The Mount Ascension Loop trail offers an alternative way to the top of Mount Ascension and the Entertainment Trail. it is longer but milder than climbing 2006. It runs from the fourth switchback on the 2006 trail, and rejoins it at the saddle behind Mount Ascension. The Loop Trail also intersects the Eddy McClure Trail just below the saddle.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 9 rides
  • 9 miles average
6 Months
  • 77 rides
  • 10 miles avg distance
All
  • 515 rides
  • Last: Aug 26, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Mt Ascension Loop Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Mar 20, 2026 @ 2:01pm (America/Denver)
Mar 20, 2026
Jan 24, 2026 @ 12:04pm (America/Creston)
Jan 24, 2026
 reporter
Jan 17, 2026 @ 1:24pm (America/Denver)
Jan 17, 2026
Jan 4, 2026 @ 4:20pm (America/Denver)
Jan 4, 2026
 reporter Alternating wet mud and hard ice. Studded fat tires recommended.
Nov 28, 2025 @ 9:25am (America/Denver)
Nov 28, 2025
 reporter Snow on 11/27
more »
Status:
on Mar 20, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 3.79 (5 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
Trail Last Ridden
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  • < 2 days
  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
Contribute Details
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  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
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BC Backroad Status

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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to mt-ascension-loop trailhead (46.569450, -112.032020)
        View on Discover Map

        Photos

        9 more »
        mtb
        532 |
        Oct 26, 2014 @ 2:49pm
        Oct 26, 2014
        mtb
        177 |
        Apr 20, 2020 @ 12:43pm
        Apr 20, 2020
        mtb
        128 |
        Oct 4, 2018 @ 7:13am
        Oct 4, 2018
        mtb
        100 |
        Sep 10, 2018 @ 2:03pm
        Sep 10, 2018

        Videos

        no videos have been added for Mt Ascension Loop yet, add a video.

        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Routes with this trail

        57
        Eddye McClure Loop
        ★ 4.0 • 7 miles • 1,246 ft • 4 • Loop •
        This loop is the best way to ride Eddye McClure Trail and explore the eastern end of the South Hills. It...
        40
        Upper Mount Ascension
        ★ 5.0 • 3 miles • 550 ft • 5 • Loop •
        Despite the remote (for the South Hills) start point, this is a good quick lap that provides a more...
        59
        Mount Ascension Tour - from Old Shooting Range
        8 miles • 1,797 ft • 11 • Loop •
        This route includes all the bike-specific trails on Mount Ascension: Cruse Control and on the eastern...
        3.4 ★★★★★
        5 Ratings
        5 ★
        4 ★ 40%
        3 ★ 60%
        2 ★
        1 ★

        1 Review & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        South Hills

        • By drewswayne & contributors
        • #5183 - 5,969 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Mt Ascension Loop

        ▼ Where is Mt Ascension Loop located?
        Mt Ascension Loop is located in South Hills, Helena, Montana, United States. It is part of the South Hills trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 46.56945, -112.03202.
        ▼ How hard is Mt Ascension Loop?
        Mt Ascension Loop is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 5%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Mt Ascension Loop?
        Mt Ascension Loop has 283 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 39 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 4,953 ft to 5,213 ft.
        ▼ Is Mt Ascension Loop a point to point trail?
        Mt Ascension Loop is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Mt Ascension Loop?
        Mt Ascension Loop is 4,888 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Mt Ascension Loop?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Mt Ascension Loop. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Mt Ascension Loop?
        Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Mt Ascension Loop are:
        • July (46 activities)
        • May (28 activities)
        • June (23 activities)
        Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
        ▼ How do I access Mt Ascension Loop? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Mt Ascension Loop are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride Mt Ascension Loop?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 14 minutes to ride Mt Ascension Loop. The trail is 4,888 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is Mt Ascension Loop?
        Mt Ascension Loop is a very popular trail. There have been 2,382 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 2,333 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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