Riding around Helena, MT?

[smmokan]

My cousin was drafted a couple of weeks ago by the White Sox, and he was assigned to the Great Falls Voyagers in the Pioneer League. If he's still with them in late August, I was thinking of making a road trip to MT to watch them play a couple of games in Helena. Of course I'd bring my bike.

During the day, I want to do some big rides... 20-25 miles, decent vertical, preferably with killer singletrack and amazing views. I'd also probably stop around Bozeman (and somewhere else, TBD) on the way there or back as well.

What are the must-do rides in those areas? And if anyone's around and wants to show me the goods, well, I won't turn you down.

[wyeaster]

he needs some personalized heckling from local tgrs.

[stuckathuntermtn]

CDT trail near Helena can be ridden for quite a ways. Rogers to Flecher and back is 13(?) miles each way. Just check MTB Project or Trailforks.
Actually been looking for someone to do it with. It's not necessarily too challenging, just backcountry grizzly territory.

[smmokan]

I'll only ride it with you if you're slower than me.

[gravitylover]

From what creaky says stucky is slower than everybody

[detrusor]

There are a ton of trails that can be looped together to get that distance right from town. A short drive and it's limitless.

Drop into great divide, big sky or the garage. They'll help you out.

[downvalleytrash]

Town trails in Helena are awesome, but will likely be hot as balls in August.
August is time for the big backcountry rides.

Check out MacDonald pass, Beartrap Gulch near Helena.

Near Bozeman: Mile to Sheep, Buffalo Horn to Porcupine, Curly Lake.

Bring Bear spray and maybe don't do some of those alone.

[Sirshredalot]

Bangtail Divide also works in Bozeman, if you want to be closer to town. Solid ride, though not necessarily as "epic" as those mentioned above.

[yeahman]

Good loop in the South Hills close to Helena is to start at the Dump Gulch trailhead, ride up the Wakina Sky trail and then stay on it and descend into Grizzly Gulch. From there take the Grizzly Gulch road south a few miles to the Prospector Gulch road which leads to the Mt. Helena Ridge trailhead. From the trailhead climb switchbacks to the ridge, then ride the Mt. Helena Ridge Trail north toward town. Best descent off the ridge trail back to your car is probably Show-Me-The-Horse, so cut off the Ridge trail when you come to that signpost. Not sure how many miles it is but it takes me about three hours. Good singletrack, good views.

[muted]

What road are you taking to get to Helena?

[smmokan]

Most likely I-25 to I-90.

[evasive_MT]

Most likely I-25 to I-90.

I-90 south of Helena runs past two great rides: Thunderbolt Mountain above Bernice, and Muskrat Creek outside Boulder. Thunderbolt has the views and is in the Wilderness crosshairs, so I'd recommend it.

South Hills trails are great neighborhood rides and you can easily make 25+ Mile loops, but what you're looking for is in the backcountry. Look at Casey Peak in the Elkhorns. The trailhead is only 15 minutes outside town, but accesses rugged backcountry singletrack with great views.

[smmokan]

Awesome, thanks guys... once I know more details and have a plan laid out, I'll let you know in case anyone wants to join me (and my group) for a ride and some beers.

[kootenayskier]

Beartrap Gulch was by far the best ride in the Helena area.

[detrusor]

^^^^^

Especially when it's hot

[grskier]

See, this is why TGR can still be great.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Bump.

Currently in Bozeman through Friday. Looking to ride over Helena way tomorrow. Heard it's riding better over there aka drier?

[Bunion 2020]

Best bet is to call one of the Bike Shops in Helena for a current report.

The Big Sky area will be ridable later this week to 8000' as long as it stays dry.

If it were me and I had the time, Helena would be a good decision.

[yeahman]

Helena's South Hills trail system has pretty much dried out and the forecast holds no precip.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

Really nice dirt on Ascension > Entertainment > Rodney today. Worth the drive.




I need a sequence shot app for my phone that is full-res.

[fatnslow]

Really nice dirt on Ascension > Entertainment > Rodney today. Worth the drive.




I need a sequence shot app for my phone that is full-res.

You should go for a quick soak at Bolder Hot Springs if your cruising on I-15. Pretty rough but very old school Montana.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

^Thanks

Already back in Bozeman. We did Chico Hot Springs the other day. Thinking of trying Bozeman tonight.

[yeahman]

^Thanks

Already back in Bozeman. We did Chico Hot Springs the other day. Thinking of trying Bozeman tonight.

Bozeman Hot Springs is nice since they remodeled the pools. Expensive though.

Nice pic, glad you had a good ride.

[yeahman]

FYI local SW Montana riders keep an eye out. Especially if anybody happens to check out the Bozeman bike swap tomorrow...

[RootSkier]

What's a good loop from town with about 2500' feet of climbing (or less) that avoids all the road work right now? Going to be there for work on Wednesday and the high is only 79. Amazing.