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4,888 ft
Distance
283 ft
Climb
-39 ft
Descent
00:11:28
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
00:11:28
Avg time
Mt Ascension Loop Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Gravel Bike
- Winter Fat Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
- Snowshoe
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Riding AreaSouth Hills
Helena, Montana -
Difficulty Rating
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Local Popularity95 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 90 in Trail Running
- 95 in Hiking
- 5 in Snowshoeing
- 5 in Winter Fat Biking
- 5 in Gravel Biking
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Global Ranking#101888 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #88736 in Trail Running
- #75391 in Hiking
- #18949 in Snowshoeing
- #31809 in Winter Fat Biking
- #47578 in Gravel Biking
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State Ranking#730 in Mountain Biking · Montana [+]
- #1,075 in Trail Running
- #976 in Hiking
- #545 in Snowshoeing
- #870 in Winter Fat Biking
- #636 in Gravel Biking
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Hiking SAC ScaleT1 Hiking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Snow GroomingBackcountry
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Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat, CX, Gravel
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlue
-
Physical RatingModerate
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike Allowed
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TTFs on TrailRock Face
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Ride in RainYes
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Year Opened2010
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Land OwnerCity 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
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trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 83 rides
- 10 miles avg distance
All
- 532 rides
- Last: Oct 9, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Mt Ascension Loop Trail Reports
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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.
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 Used
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 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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Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more activities = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
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- popular
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- not popular
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Activity Recordings
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Activity Recordings
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Winter Trails
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Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
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BC Backroad Status
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Slope Aspect
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Directions to mt-ascension-loop trailhead
(46.569450, -112.032020)
Photos
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Videos
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Routes with this trail
★ 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...
★ 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...
8 miles • 1,797 ft • 11 • Loop •
This route includes all the bike-specific trails on Mount Ascension: Cruse Control and Big Dorothy on the...
farmteamlb
Bring your lungs. Great way to access all of the fun donwhill options.
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Nearby Trails
- 2006 Trail (south Side) 699 ft
- Entertainment Trail Doubletrack 699 ft
- Easy Rider Trail - Medley Reroute 1,086 ft
- 2006 Trail (north Side) 1,135 ft
- Pail Rider Trail 1,135 ft
- By drewswayne & contributors
- #5183 - 6,158 views
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