Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m 37 WakINa Sky arEa Mostly on Helena National Forest Lands, the Wakina Sky area offers some of Helena's most forgiving hiking and biking trials. The area is highlighted by the Wakina Sky Meadow that was protected by the Prickly Pear Land Trust in 2003. wakina sky trail/ stairway tO heaven/wakina riDge (lOOP) level Of DiffiCulty: Easy length: 4.0 mile loop trailheaD: Dump Gulch Trailhead From the Dump Gulch Trailhead, head south on Grizzly Gulch road for ¼ mile to Wakina Sky Road. The first 1.2 miles is a gradual climb on a road that turns into single-track. Once in the Wakina Sky Meadow, turn right after the Prickly Pear Land Trust sign, then right again and climb up Stairway to Heaven trail. This trail traces the ridge before descending and offering great views of Helena. MouNt aSCENSIoN NaturaL park Located in the South Hills, Mount Ascension's 40.4-acre property offers several smaller loops for riders to explore with a variety of terrain and levels of difficulty. At 5,281 feet, Mt. Ascension offers just as many great views as Mt. Helena. Mt. Ascension Park has been the Prickly Pear Land Trust's pinnacle project in securing additional public open space for riding, including its summit and ridgeline areas. 2006 trail/entertainMent trail/arChery range trail (lOOP) level Of DiffiCulty: Hard length: 4.0 mile loop trailheaD: Beattie Street Trailhead Getting to this trail is a little difficult. Go to the Beattie Street Trailhead and take the Prickly Pear Trail. Then veer off on the Pay Dirt Trail and take Easy Rider to Pale Rider. This will get you to the base of the 2006 Trail. The loop continues on to the Entertainment Trail following a rolling ridgeline to the south through a hillside that is often covered with wildflowers in summer. Archery Range Trail offers a smooth, rolling jaunt back to the start. This loop is a strenuous ride with prolonged climbs and a steep, fast descent. DefOrD trail level Of DiffiCulty: Easy length: 1.0 mile one way trailheaD: DeFord Trailhead on Davis Street just after it turns to dirt. This is the perfect trail for beginning mountain bikers breaking into the area. it is known as the "wood- chip trail" for its soft surface. it is a wide, forgiving pathway along Davis/Dry Gulch Road and provides an easy route up Dry Gulch to the Old Shooting Range Trailhead. HELENa IS tHE oNLy rIDE CENtEr IN MoNtaNa aND JoINS oNLy 16 otHEr LoCatIoNS INtErNatIoNaLLy. "It MEaNS tHat IMBa HaS DESIgNatED our traIL SyStEM to BE 'WorLD CLaSS' aND DEStINatIoN WortH," SaID patrICk DoyLE, CoMMuNIty outrEaCH DIrEC- tor For HELENa tourISM. roDNEy rIDgE Rodney Ridge has something for everyone: rugged climbs, flat con- tour trails, beautiful views, forests and meadows. Lots of small loop opportunities are available. waterline/DOn't fenCe Me in/ rODney riDge trail/t.r. trail (lOOP) level Of DiffiCulty: Moderate length: 3.0 mile loop trailheaD: Waterline Trailhead on Orofino Gulch about 1/3 mile south of the Grizzly Gulch "y" This loop has the perfect blend of climbing and flat trails. After climbing switchbacks from the trailhead, riders began ascending the Don't Fence Me in Trail. Once on top of the ridge, the trail descends down to the Rodney Ridge Trail, an old two-track road. This trail branches out at Rodney Meadow where there are several trail options. Take the second right (west) on the T.R. Trail into the woods where the trail climbs up to a stony overlook. The trail then descends through limestone outcrops and takes you back to the south end of the Waterline Trail.

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