This is a drive-up to an old USFS fire lookout that should be accessible to most vehicles, although the road is somewhat rutted. There is a picnic table located on the spacious, forested summit that makes for a comfortable operating position. The road is closed to vehicles fr
2-Miles, +950 feet
Follow Head Lane north into the Scratchgravel Hills until it reaches a BLM pullout/parking area/trailhead. Continue north past the gate on the old 2-track, turning right (Easterly) when it reaches the low saddle. Continue following the 2-track easterly, and eventually southerly as it climbs to the summit. The summit is very pleasant, with a nice level clearing amongst the scattered pines, and fine views of the city to the south.
This unobtrusive summit offers a quiet, easily accessible QTH that may be conveniently accessed via the popular "Helena Ridge Trail". The Helena ridge trail is a scenic 7 mile ridge trail that connects from the trailhead at Park City to Mount Helena City Park (and on into downtown Helena). The trail is excellent for hiking or biking, and there is ample parking at the Park City trailhead. Follow the trail from the parking lot as it cuts up and around the north slope and eastern shoulder of the hill that overlooks the parking lot.
Straight Cr. Approach (3,000 ft, 2.5 mi, 23 mi approach) |
| This is the SOTA summit that is furthest from any road within Montana. |
W7M/CL-194 Bend Benchmark (0.8 Miles, + 893 Ft)
Jumbo Mountain (3.4 mi., 3,400 ft, 16-mile approach)
The approach and climb to Jumbo Mountain offers a scenic journey through the remote and spectacular Bob Marshall Wilderness. We included this activation as part of a 9-day loop trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness that included three SOTA activations.
This is a fabulous hike on a nice trail that climbs to the Patrol Mountain Lookout on the edge of the Scapegoat Wilderness. The top offers stupendous views of the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas. Snow drifts may present difficulties into the first week of July dur
To access trailead From Highway 200 - take the Copper Creek road north. The road is a well maintained gravel road until after the upper crossing of Copper Creek, where it becomes somewhat more primitive. The road hairpins eastwards at this creek crossing, climbs gently, then hairpins again westwards and begins climbing more steeply. Turn right (north) at the first opportunity. This portion of the road is narrow and ingrown, with brush which may scratch wide vehicles. It is an "easy" 4wd or a "some clearance advised" 2wd road. The road will soon enter a st