A group of Helena volunteers spent time this summer cutting through downed timber and clearing trail in the Elkhorn Mountains after windstorms left sections of the trail system impassable. The work restored recreational access to a range that draws hikers, hunters, and mountain bikers from Helena and the surrounding valley.
The Elkhorn Mountains sit just southeast of Helena and are a go-to destination for residents looking for a half-day or full-day trip without a long drive. Windthrow — heavy forest blowdown from storm events — is a recurring challenge for trail maintenance in the range, and volunteer work parties have historically been a primary way the trails stay open between formal Forest Service maintenance cycles.
Details on which specific trails were cleared and the organizations that coordinated the effort were not fully available, but the work reflects a pattern of community-driven stewardship that has kept the Elkhorns accessible for years. Anyone heading out to the range this summer should still check current conditions before going, particularly with fire weather active across the region.