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| 700 miles (1100 km) of ] ]s are located in the forest along with numerous ] ]s and several ]s. There are over a dozen improved ]s. ] use is common in the ] months as is ]. | 700 miles (1100 km) of ] ]s are located in the forest along with numerous ] ]s and several ]s. There are over a dozen improved ]s. ] use is common in the ] months as is ]. | ||
| ] |
] runs north-south and ] runs east-west through the area. | ||
| The largest nearby city is ], which is also the ], and the headquarters location for the forest. | The largest nearby city is ], which is also the ], and the headquarters location for the forest. | ||
Revision as of 07:47, 31 March 2006
| Helena National Forest | |
|---|---|
| IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources) | |
| Location | Montana, USA |
| Nearest city | Helena, MT |
| Area | 976,000 acres (4,000 km²) |
| Established | 1907 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
Helena National Forest is located in west-central Montana, in the United States. Covering 976,000 acres (4,000 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 forest is comprised 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 exceeed 10,000 feet (3,000 m). 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.
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.