Helena volunteers clear storm-hit Elkhorn trails for recreation access

Helena, Mont. — Volunteers in the Elkhorn Mountains from Helena helped reopen a trail system after windstorms left heavy forest downfall that added to wildfire fuel concerns.

At Willard Creek Trail, downed trees had blocked access for many people earlier this year. Photos from the area showed large numbers of trees across the trail before cleanup work began.

Steve Heim, trail clearing coordinator for the Helena Ultra Runners League, said his nonprofit group saw that as a problem and got to work.

“The Helena Ultra Runners League has put on a lot of effort in order to get out here and get 50 miles of trail cleared,” said Heim.

Heim said the group normally started clearing trails every June, but this year brought extra obstacles after a December windstorm.

“This year was particularly difficult because of the big windstorm we had back in December. So, we had spots on the trail where there were a hundred trees down in a one mile section,” said Heim.

John Hallsten, race director for Elkhorn Endurance Runs with the Helena Ultra Runners League, explained how hard it was to reach the remote trail system.

“Most of the time we had to carry those chainsaws, gas and oil and so forth on our backs,” said Hallsten.

HURL organizers reported they had cleared more than 1,000 trees from the trail. The group’s work opened access for recreation and also improved entry for emergency crews responding in remote areas.

Hallsten and Heim said the work took a lot of effort, but they also saw it as a way to serve the community.

“I think it gives you a good feeling that we’ve helped out the community and that’s one of our organizations goals is to promote recreation out here in the wilderness,” said Hallsten. “Our passion is being out here on the trails, we want to do it for ourselves, but we also want to make it available for everyone else in the community,” said Heim.

The U.S. Forest Service said clear trails also matter when first responders need to reach a wildfire or help an injured or lost hiker.

“It’s wonderful living in a community where we have dedicated community partners like HURL who are helping increase access to public lands, who appreciate the trails, who want others to appreciate it and it’s incredible to see that level of investment we have here in the Helena community,” said Chiara Cipriano, public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service.