Day hike in the Elkhorns

[JimmyW]

Living in Helena, MT, presents a wealth of hiking options. I've hiked extensively in the Elkhorn Mountains, which are a few miles southeast of town. They're an "island range," and run about 30 miles north-south, with the tallest peaks at around 9,400'. Today, I visited Horsethief Park, which is accessed by FS Trail 117 up Pole Creek, out of Winston. I'll share a few pics. The trail starts at 5631' and it's about 3.25 miles to the park.

This shot looks up the park with the Elkhorn divide at the summit. It's a dry time of year, particularly this year. The FS cut down many beetle-killed trees. In late spring, the park is lush green, and we've seen elk grazing here often. The park sits at 7675'.




At the center horizon is High Peak, which is 8,000+. I've been to its summit once. The only named peak that I haven't reached the top of is Crazy Peak, which is off to the left and is the third highest point in the Elkhorns.

This view looks back down the trail at Canyon Ferry Lake, which is a reservoir on the Missouri River. On the Horizon are Mounts Edith, Baldy, and Boulder, the highest points in the Big Belt Mountains.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Looks like some nice open hiking up there. Never heard of this area so thanks for sharing.

 

[JimmyW]

Thanks. Somehow, my second image was inserted twice, and I can't remove the extra copy. My avatar shows me outside of the old fire tower on Casey Peak, which is in the north Elkhorns at about 8400'. BTW, I lived near Mahwah in Wyckoff before I moved to MT about 38 years ago.

 

[Nick]

Somehow, my second image was inserted twice, and I can't remove the extra copy.

Fixed it.

Pretty out there late in the year.

 

[JimmyW]

Thank you. If you look at the first pic, you can see where the FS came in and cut down large swaths of trees, which were beetle-killed. It diminishes fire danger, but gives up a little cover for elk. A big fire (about 50,000 acres) struck in 1988. I wouldn't be surprised if the beetles got as many trees.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

BTW, I lived near Mahwah in Wyckoff before I moved to MT about 38 years ago.

Holy smokes, small world! I pretty much live on the Mahwah/Allendale/Wyckoff border. I know it's been almost 40 years for you, but if you recall Forest Avenue, my street is right off of it.

 

[JimmyW]

I vaguely recall Forest Ave. I lived on Mountain Ave., at the crest of he hill. I do remember that there was an incredible deli at the bottom of the hill on the Wyckoff side, but I can't recall its name.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

I vaguely recall Forest Ave. I lived on Mountain Ave., at the crest of he hill. I do remember that there was an incredible deli at the bottom of the hill on the Wyckoff side, but I can't recall its name.

There's a good deli a block from me on Forest Ave called Wilke's Delicatessan. I'd be shocked if it's been there for 40 years though.

 

[JimmyW]

When I look at Google Maps, I believe it was on Sicomac. There's a deli there now, but the name doesn't ring a bell.

 

[John Goering]

Thanks for the TR. I have some very good friends in Clancy and I've spent some time in the EH's-usually looking for sheds in the spring.

 

[JimmyW]

Thanks, John. I never went "looking" for sheds. However, in years past, I found a couple huge ones in Halfmoon Park, which is about a mile from Boulder Park. You can get there from trails that take off from the Boulder side or the Elkhorn side. The latter is a little shorter hike, but longer drive from Helena. I also found a pretty decent Moose shed up McClellan Creek a long time ago.