Before kids, this was one of my favorite places to hike with my husband. We would go frequently during early mornings or stay into the evenings during the fall while the elk were rutting and bugling. In the summer, we’d find flowers earlier in the season and raspberries later in the summer. Once we had kids, we continued to go here to enjoy the fall colors and the peaceful environment.
In the last few years, everytime we head to the Casey Peak Trailhead, we find several other cars and horse trailers in the parking lot, so the popularity of this trail has definitely increased! To get to the trailhead from Helena is a beautiful, approximately 30 minute drive through a small part of the Elkhorn Mountains. Once at the trailhead, there is a small parking area and a short walk to the trail.
Once you’re on the trail, there are multiple routes to take, depending on your final destination. When our kids were all 5 and younger, we never had a final destination. We simply wandered and played along the way as there are plenty of opportunities to do so! As they get older and at least two of them can hike the entire time, we will stretch it out and have destinations (probably…).
When we visit the Casey Peak Trailhead with all three kids, we have two routes that we generally take. The first one is staying on the E Fork McClellan Creek Trail 343. If you use the Trailforks App, it is called the Casey Meadows Trail. You begin the hike hiking through a tree-dense area (where we have seen moose off the trail a ways!). They have now cleared some of the trees as you continue to hike. Eventually you get to a stream crossing. The kids have always enjoyed the stream here! After you cross, you’ll hike through some more exposed areas, so depending on the season and time of day you go, it can get hot here! With our littles, we usually just go a ways past the Jackson Creek Trail intersection (about 1 mile in and 1 mile back). As they get older, we’ll have the Meadows or Casey Peak as the final destination, but until then, they are happy to find some shaded areas and play around until we head back and play near the water a bit longer.
The other route we take also begins at the main Casey Peak Trailhead (photos below). After about .25 miles, there will be an intersection; take that (if you’re using Trailforks App, it’s the McClellan Creek Trail – TH to Willard Jct; Google Maps labels it the McClellan Creek Trail). The junction with Willard Creek is about 2 miles. It’s a fun destination with the creek there, or again, there’s the option to turn around whenever you want! Like the other trail, they have thinned the trees, so it’s not as shady as it once was (but it’s healthier!).
Both trails allow for beautiful views and wildflower showings. In the spring and summer, there’s so much green! In the fall, you can enjoy beautiful fall colors on the drive and get views of fall colors while hiking. And remember, if you go early enough in the morning or stay until evening mid-September-early October, there’s a good chance you’ll hear the majestic bugles of rutting bull elk!