Helena National Forest

Recreational Activities - Trails

Length: 9.0 Miles (4.2 km)

Elevation Change: 1760 ft. (537 m)
Trail Beginning: 4530 ft. elevation (1326 m)
Trail Ending: 6290 ft. elevation (1918 m)

Special Features/Attractions & Considerations: This trail passes through a 10-foot wide, 200-foot high canyon that was carved through limestone rock by a small mountain stream. The canyon in appropriately named; evaporative cooling is caused by breezes blowing over the stream and through the rock walls. The canyon is only about ¼ mile from the trailhead. The beginning of the trail passes through a luxurious, shaded forest. All of the area’s large mammals are known to live in this region; one can occasionally see whitetail deer and mountain goats on this hike.

Refrigerator Canyon Trail provides hikers and horseback riders access to Bear Prairie as well as the eastern end of the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. This trail is gentle and well shaded with an open stand of timber. There is no water on the lower portions of this trail.

Locator: Big Belt Mountains/Gates of the Mountains
Take county road 280, otherwise known as York Road. At the York Bar, turn left onto a gravel road and head north about 8 miles to Nelson. At Nelson, turn right heading east toward Hogback Mountain approximately 5 miles. The trailhead sign is large and easily seen from the road. For those with horses, there is a roadside turnout here with a hitching rack, but you may need to go up the road a mile or so to turn around.

Quad(s): Hogback Mountain, Middle Creek Lake, Nelson, and Candle Mountain
Helena National Forest Map

For further information contact the Helena Ranger District

USDA Forest Service - Helena National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 17 May 2007 at 16:17:53 EDT