Helena National Forest

Recreational Activities - Sightseeing

access: Take Custer Avenue to the York Road (Highway 280) and follow the York Road to the community of York. At York turn onto the graveled road 8 miles to Nelson and then follow the Beaver Creek Road up the canyon approximately 15 miles to the top of Hogback Mountain.

The roads are paved to York and gravel surfaced from this point on.  During dry periods the family auto is suitable transportation, even for a trip to the Lookout.

ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS:  This route takes you past the Regulating Reservoir located just off the York Road (Highway 280) approximately 8 miles from Helena.  Here you can stop to fish for trout and salmon; picnic at one of the several picnic sites maintained by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; boat on Helena Reservoir (motors are not permitted); observe the area’s many bird species; or fly your radio-controlled airplane at the maintained field.

As you approach the Missouri River and Hauser Lake there are several commercial gem stone mines available where you can hunt for sapphires along the River.  At the Lakeside Marina on the Missouri River, there are dining facilities, a beach, and picnic area, as well as the boat launching facility at the marina.  Motorized boat use is permitted on the lake and river.

This route takes you over the York Bridge.  This recently constructed concrete and steel bridge replaced an older steel structure that had to be replaced due to age.

The community of York (in the old mining days called New York) started out in the 18^th century as a commercial center for the placer and hardrock mining in the area.  While there are no active mines around today, the evidence of past mining is to be found everywhere in the hills surrounding York.

After turning left at the Friendly York Tavern, you will drive 8 miles to the northwest until you arrive at Nelson.  This small collection of cabins is named for a family who homesteaded in the area.  As you bear to the right at Nelson, you will be entering the Beaver Creek drainage.  There are trout in the stream; however, public access is limited along the lower stretches so make sure you’re on the National Forest before you try your hand at fishing.  Within two to three miles, you will begin driving thru the narrow limestone canyon whose walls tower up to 1,500 feet above the valley bottom.  Be sure to bring along a camera and binoculars, as you may be fortunate enough to spot mountain goats during the spring and early summer months.

The area to your left as you progress along this route is the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, designated as a 28,562-acre wilderness by Congress in 1964.  This area is open to horseback and hiking only.  No motor vehicles or mountain bikes are permitted.  You may want to stop at Refrigerator Canyon for a short walk up the extremely narrow side canyon for a close-up view of the backcountry.

As you continue on up the canyon you will enter a series of switchbacks, which progressively offer you scenic vistas of the Beaver Creek Canyon, the Wilderness, and the Big Belt Mountains.

Close to the top of the drive you will break out of the forest and enter a broad, flat meadow known as Indian Flats. It is in this meadow that you will find the turn-off to the Hogback Mountain Lookout.  The road to the top is narrow, but not too steep, and under dry conditions you can drive the family car right to the Lookout.  As you drive to the top of the mountain watch for mountain goats and mule deer along the way.  When you have reached the ridgeline you will encounter the KTVH transmitter building, an electronic site serving the Helena Valley.

The Hogback Lookout is located at the top of the mountain at 7,813 feet in elevation and is manned by the Forest Service from mid-June to September during most years.  You are welcome to visit the Lookout.

A short walk from the Lookout you can gaze down into the Beaver Creek Canyon or view some of the spectacular scenery available in the 360-degree panorama you have at your feet.

For further information contact the Helena Ranger District

USDA Forest Service - Helena National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 17 May 2007 at 16:17:40 EDT