The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest provides a multitude of groomed and ungroomed cross country ski routes.
Trail Etiquette:
It is each skier’s duty to ski responsibly, under control, and with consideration for others.
Be courteous - You may encounter skiers of different abilities along the trails.
Ski under control; be able to stop at any time.
Pass on the left if overtaking a slower skier, giving audible signals when passing.
Don’t block the trail.
Travel the right direction on one-way trails.
On two-way trails be watchful for oncoming skiers, particularly on uphill and downhill sections or where visibility is limited.
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Cross Country Skiing
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest provides a multitude of groomed and ungroomed cross country ski routes.
Trail Etiquette:
It is each skier’s duty to ski responsibly, under control, and with consideration for others.
Be courteous - You may encounter skiers of different abilities along the trails.
Ski under control; be able to stop at any time.
Pass on the left if overtaking a slower skier, giving audible signals when passing.
Don’t block the trail.
Travel the right direction on one-way trails.
On two-way trails be watchful for oncoming skiers, particularly on uphill and downhill sections or where visibility is limited.
In order to keep the groomed surfaces in good condition for skiing, no snowshoes, dogs, dog sleds, or other forms of over-the-snow transportation are allowed.
Snowshoeing
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest provides many areas for all skill levels for snowshoeing both on and off trail. Snowshoeing is a fun and inexpensive way to view wildlife, and enjoy some winter recreation.
Showshoe Etiquette:
Snowshoeing is not allowed on groomed ski trails.
Always walk adjacent to ski trails to protect them for cross country skiers.
Wear highly visible clothing and be aware of snowmobilers. They cannot hear you, so yield to them.
The Big Belt Mountains are an island range primarily in Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, and Meagher counties with small portions in Gallatin and Cascade counties. The geographic area includes the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, the outlying Dry Range, and the small communities of York and Nelson. The nearest population center is Helena.
The Castle Mountains are located east of White Sulphur Springs, Montana. The highest peak is Elk Peak reaching a height of 8,589 feet. The Castles are a prime hunting location in the fall, and they do provide some recreational uses in the summer months.
Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
This geographic area is the scenic backdrop and primary recreational resource for Montana’s capital city, Helena. It also includes the smaller communities of Austin, Rimini, and Unionville. Portions of the geographic area are in the political geographies of Lewis and Clark, Powell, and Jefferson counties. The spine of the divide is higher, cooler, wetter, and more exposed, imbuing it with a unique microclimate. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail follows the crest of the divide.
The Elkhorns Geographic Area encompasses the Elkhorn Mountains in Broadwater and Jefferson counties and includes the small mining town of Elkhorn. The nearest population center is Helena, Montana. Many smaller communities also have intimate relationships with the geographic area: Montana City, Clancy, Alhambra, Jefferson City, Boulder, Radersburg, Townsend, Winston, and East Helena. The Elkhorns are surrounded by the Divide Mountains and Boulder Batholith on the west, and the Missouri and Boulder River valleys on the north, east, and, south. The form of the Elkhorn Mountains is rounded and furrowed from extensive weathering. High points are prominent from background northwest, west, and southwest perspectives but cryptic from other vantages. Drainages have carved steep gulches and canyons. The majority of the Elkhorns (north, west, southwest) is a part of a batholith. This geologic history has left the area rich in minerals. Evidence of glaciation is localized as boulder strewn areas of granitic rocks. The remaining approximate quarter (southwest) of the geographic area is underlain by sedimentary rock that lacks the same mineralization as the batholith but is rich in calcareous rock. The landforms are rugged, low mountains with hogback ridges and dry valleys.
The Highwoods Geographic Area is the smallest of the geographic areas within the plan area and encompasses the Highwood Mountains. This isolated island range is located within Cascade, Chouteau, and Judith Basin counties. This geographic area is the closest National Forest System land to Great Falls. The landmass rises up from the confluence of multiple grassland types: foothill grasslands, semi-arid prairie, Missouri Breaks, and unglaciated high plains. All of these types share basic common traits but are slightly different and collectively set the stage for the Highwood’s unique setting.
Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
Portions of this sprawling mountain range are located in Meagher, Judith Basin, Cascade, and Wheatland counties. It is surrounded by predominantly treeless foothills of prairie and sagebrush steppe. The Little Belts Geographic Area is bisected north-south by the Kings Hill scenic byway (US Highway 89) along which the small communities of Niehart and Monarch reside. Most of the Little Belts can be described as remote but accessible by a well distributed transportation network.
Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
The Rocky Mountain Range is located in portions of Teton, Pondera, Glacier, and Lewis and Clark counties. The geographic area is bordered by U.S. Highway 2 and Glacier National Park to the north. The Blackfeet Nation lands are to the northeast. The east and southeast are bordered by state, private, and BLM lands. The Upper Blackfoot Geographic Area is to the south. The continental divide and Flathead National Forest are to the west.
A large portion of the Rocky Mountain Range Geographic Area is designated wilderness and includes parts of the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas.
Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
The Upper Blackfoot spans Lewis & Clark and Powell counties. The majority of the area is west of the continental divide. The Rocky Mountain Range and Flathead National Forest are directly north and the Divide is to the south. To the east, mountains become grassy foothills with isolated buttes. Montana Highway 200 cuts east-west through the center, crossing over Rogers Pass to follow the Blackfoot River. The northwest corner is a part of the Scapegoat Wilderness and the greater Bob Marshall Wilderness complex.
The landform west of the divide is characterized by mostly rolling hills and mountains that are underlain by various types of rock. High peaks are topped with volcanic rocks with areas of exposed rock. The effects of glaciation are present. The landforms east of the divide are characterized by rounded mountains that are underlain by volcanic rocks and sedimentary rocks that have changed through geologic processes. Summits lack much exposed rock and the effects of glaciation are absent. Another characterizing landform that helps define the geographic area is the mountain pass. There are a few notable passes, some allowing for easy automotive travel over the continental divide: Roger, Stemple, Windy, and Flesher.
