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Coordinates: 46°35′0″N 111°50′0″W / 46.58333°N 111.83333°W / 46.58333; -111.83333
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'''Helena National Forest''' is located in west-central [[Montana]], in the [[United States]]. Covering {{convert|984558|acre|km2}}, the forest is broken into several separate sections. The eastern regions are dominated by the [[Big Belt Mountains]], and are the location of the [[Gates of the Mountains Wilderness]], which remains much as it did when the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] passed through the region. The western sections have both the [[continental divide]] and the [[Scapegoat Wilderness]] area, which is part of the [[Bob Marshall Wilderness]] complex. The southern region includes the [[Elkhorn Mountains]]. The forest is composed of a mixture of [[grass]] and [[sagebrush]] covered lowlands with "island" pockets of [[lodgepole pine]] and more mountainous areas where [[Douglas fir]], [[spruce]] and [[larch]] can be found. The [[rocky mountains]] in the region do not exceed 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
'''Helena National Forest''' is located in west-central [[Montana]], in the [[United States]]. Covering {{convert|984558|acre|km2}}, the forest is broken into several separate sections. The eastern regions are dominated by the [[Big Belt Mountains]], and are the location of the [[Gates of the Mountains Wilderness]], which remains much as it did when the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] passed through the region. The western sections have both the [[continental divide]] and the [[Scapegoat Wilderness]] area, which is part of the [[Bob Marshall Wilderness]] complex. The southern region includes the [[Elkhorn Mountains]]. The forest is composed of a mixture of [[grass]] and [[sagebrush]] covered lowlands with "island" pockets of [[lodgepole pine]] and more mountainous areas where [[Douglas fir]], [[spruce]] and [[larch]] can be found. The [[rocky mountains]] in the region do not exceed 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
[[File:Helena National Forest.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Helena National Forest]]
[[File:Helena National Forest.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Helena National Forest]]
[[File:Crow creek and falls 09.jpg|thumb|[[Crow Creek Falls]] is in the Elkhorn Mountains section of the Helena National Forest]]
The [[grizzly bear]] has a sizeable sustained population in the northwestern section of the forest, especially in the Scapegoat Wilderness. [[American black bear|Black bear]]s are numerous as are [[elk]], [[moose]], [[mule deer]], and [[pronghorn|antelope]]. There are also small populations of [[bighorn sheep]] and [[mountain goat]]s. Along [[stream]]s and [[lake]]s, sightings of nesting [[bald eagle]]s and other [[bird]]s of prey are becoming more common due to protection of these [[species]] and their vitally important waterways.
The [[grizzly bear]] has a sizeable sustained population in the northwestern section of the forest, especially in the Scapegoat Wilderness. [[American black bear|Black bear]]s are numerous as are [[elk]], [[moose]], [[mule deer]], and [[pronghorn|antelope]]. There are also small populations of [[bighorn sheep]] and [[mountain goat]]s. Along [[stream]]s and [[lake]]s, sightings of nesting [[bald eagle]]s and other [[bird]]s of prey are becoming more common due to protection of these [[species]] and their vitally important waterways.
{{stack|[[File:York-Trout Creek Bridge on the Missouri River in Helena National Forrest-750px.JPG|thumb|York-Trout Creek Bridge in Helena National Forest]]}}
{{stack|[[File:York-Trout Creek Bridge on the Missouri River in Helena National Forrest-750px.JPG|thumb|York-Trout Creek Bridge in Helena National Forest]]}}

Revision as of 09:43, 25 December 2016

Helena National Forest
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Gates of the Mountains wilderness area, Helena National Forest
Map showing the location of Helena National Forest
Map showing the location of Helena National Forest
StandortMontana, USA
Nearest cityHelena, MT
Coordinates46°35′0″N 111°50′0″W / 46.58333°N 111.83333°W / 46.58333; -111.83333
Area984,558 acres (398,436 ha)[1]
EstablishedApril 12, 1906[2]
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
WebsiteHelena National Forest

Helena National Forest is located in west-central Montana, in the United States. Covering 984,558 acres (3,984.36 km2), the forest is broken into several separate sections. The eastern regions are dominated by the Big Belt Mountains, and are the location of the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, which remains much as it did when the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through the region. The western sections have both the continental divide and the Scapegoat Wilderness area, which is part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex. The southern region includes the Elkhorn Mountains. The forest is composed of a mixture of grass and sagebrush covered lowlands with "island" pockets of lodgepole pine and more mountainous areas where Douglas fir, spruce and larch can be found. The rocky mountains in the region do not exceed 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

Helena National Forest
Crow Creek Falls is in the Elkhorn Mountains section of the Helena National Forest

The grizzly bear has a sizeable sustained population in the northwestern section of the forest, especially in the Scapegoat Wilderness. Black bears are numerous as are elk, moose, mule deer, and antelope. There are also small populations of bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Along streams and lakes, sightings of nesting bald eagles and other birds of prey are becoming more common due to protection of these species and their vitally important waterways.

York-Trout Creek Bridge in Helena National Forest

700 miles (1100 km) of hiking trails are located in the forest along with numerous trout streams and several lakes. There are over a dozen improved campgrounds. Snowmobile use is common in the winter months as is cross-country skiing.

Interstate 15 runs north–south and U.S. Route 12 runs east–west through the area. The largest nearby city is Helena, Montana, which is also the state capital, and the headquarters location for the forest.

The forest was the site of the 1949 Mann Gulch fire, which claimed the lives of 13 firefighters and which was the subject of both Norman Maclean's book Young Men and Fire and James Keelaghan's folk song "Cold Missouri Waters."

An overview map of Helena National Forest with ranger districts and surrounding forests labelled
Map of Helena National Forest

In descending order of land area the forest is located in parts of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Powell, Jefferson, and Meagher counties.[3] There are local ranger district offices in Helena, Lincoln, and Townsend.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Land Areas of the National Forest System" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. January 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  2. ^ "The National Forests of the United States" (PDF). ForestHistory.org. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  3. ^ Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District, and County, 30 September 2008
  4. ^ USFS Ranger Districts by State
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