On December 31st of 2023, while walking on the Helena Ridge Trail, I decided I wanted to walk every named trail in the south hills system and attempt to surpass 1,000 trail miles. The first goal was obtained when I walked Far East on November 10. From Aftershock to Waterline, and Barking Dog, to West End, I’ve walked all named trails minus a few of the neighborhood access ‘stubs’.

I reached the mileage goal in mid-October. I ended a lovely Saturday with 998 trail miles logged. So, I reached out my best trail buddy to see if he wanted to do a full Helena Ridge trail walk the following morning. He’s always up for a good walk, so the answer was an emphatic yes. It was midway through this walk, that I crossed the 1,000 mile mark.

As I type this, I am just over 1,296 miles on trails during 2024. A scant few of those miles were outside of the greater Helena area- maybe 20 or so in Hyalite, or the Big Belts, or whatnot. Another 30-50 were on some section of the Continental Divide Trail when it got hot and smoky in the valley. 

So, if I subtract 75 just to be safe, that puts me just a bit over the 1,200 mile mark on trails in the Helena valley. By December 31, 2024, I suspect I will be a bit over the 1,300 total trail miles mark. It’s been a very good year on the trails.

I am very grateful to friends and family, health and opportunity to get out and enjoy nature, parkland preservation and maintenance, and all the greater Helena businesses that support and promote recreational activities. This has been a good year, indeed. 

Onward!