IT’S ICY OUT THERE, HELENA!

Here in Helena, we get snow in late autumn, it gets packed down, melts, and the trails turn to ice. And then it happens again come spring! So where to go with young ones when so many of the South Hills and Mount Helena trails are too icy to navigate for little feet?

Although I’m sure this list in not comprehensive, these are the areas within or right outside Helena where we have explored and found conditions favorable for young ones.

• Head Lane in the Scratchgravels – This is one of my favorites. There is just so much to explore here depending on the mood of the day – hike some loops, wander around, play on the rocks or in the bushes or in the draws. Since there is plenty of sun exposure here, the snow melts faster, and in general, it simply doesn’t get packed down like it does on the more popular trails in town.
• Norris Lane in the Scratchgravels – This is another fun area to wander around, throw some pinecones at trees/folf targets, and hike up the little draw until you get to the ridge. Sometimes the draw can be snowy, but it’s so pretty that I think it’s worth it to push through! And if the trail is too icy or snowy, there is always the low-traffic road to bike or wander around.
• Spring Meadow State Park – The trail around the lake is kept pretty clean making it easy for little ones to walk or for you to push a stroller. Plus, there’s the lake (frozen or not) itself to provide plenty of entertainment!
• Tenmile Creek Park – It DOES get icy here, but many parts of the trail melt before the mountain trails. The trails closer to the creek (that don’t get as much sun) stay icy longer. When it does melt off, this is a fun place to go where the kids can run or bike off all their afternoon (or morning 🙂 ) energy! The creek itself is a perfect destination year-round. And if there is still plenty of energy left, you can take some longer loops. I love that there are options here to do that!
• Wetland Nature Walk near Rossiter School – If you live in town, you might not think this is worth the drive, but if you need some nature time with the kids, I highly suggest driving out here. We don’t even hike the entire loop most times, as they have so much fun right off the trail by the water/ice or in the trees. So much entertainment here for little ones!
• Centennial Park Loop – Not so nature orientated, but a great place to just be outside! We will visit here when the boys want to bike during the winter. It can be icy, but it clears up relatively quickly. They bike for awhile (sometimes at the pump track if it’s open), run in the fields, and finish at the park – a fun morning or afternoon for everybody!
• Rocky Road Trail: Lime Kiln Road Trailhead – If you just want to get out on the mountain for a short distance, we’ve found this trail/closed road melts quickly. The part that melts quickly is SHORT. Less than .25 a mile. Everytime we go here, however, the boys find fun things to do – race up and down the hill, draw in the snow or mud, and simply use their imagination. I’m not pushing them to make it to a particular destination, and I think that helps them just have fun and find their own entertainment. And while they are playing, I get to enjoy a pretty view. 🙂
• Beattie Trailhead – It gets icy here!! However, if you take a left right away at the trailhead, it is used less, so it tends to not get packed down as much. Granted, it is still icy, but it has proven manageable for our 4 year old. We’ll just do part of a short Beattie Loop, climb some logs along the way, play some trail games, throw some pinecones at trees, and enjoy the fresh air even if we’re only 200 yards from the trailhead!

Happy icy hiking, friends!