Trailhead location: ///dome.melody.scratching
The Silverette/Le Grande Trailhead is the epitome of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. As is its counterpart, the West Le Grande Trailhead at the other end of the accessible trail. These are not just uninviting, they are off-putting at first glance, but this area is totally worth exploring. Located at the edge of residential areas, both have very modest parking areas.
Silverette Trailhead
This is a popular access point. It would be nice if the city made the gate more accessible for folks who may be mobility impaired or in wheelchairs. I think it could be made to be more attractive as well. The main trail, which is flat and level for about a mile out is used by bikers, runners and walkers. There is a dog waste station at each end of the trail though many irresponsible pet owners choose not to use it. The Le Grande Cannon ‘trail’ is an abandoned road, but the views are quite nice. It is plowed with some regularity in the snowy months, but it ices up in the winter and can be very muddy in the spring.
Cross Country skiers use this path when the snow is fresh, and bikers use it nearly year-round.
Starting from this trailhead, you will encounter the following trails (in order).
West Le Grande Trailhead
See below for that info.
Le Grande Cannon Trail– at the trailhead
Le Grande Cannon is a nearly zero incline, single lane wide, former road that winds about a mile (2 miles out and back) to another small parking area. Very popular with dog walkers.
Le Grande Cannon Trail connects to each of the following trails, listed in order of intersection.
Road To Mars Trail
Road To Mars starts just around the first bend of Le Grande Cannon trail. This trail is less trafficed and climbs a few dozen feet of elevation pretty quickly to a host of intersections with other named trails and connector trails.
Road To Mars Trail connects to with Northwest Passage, Ambrose, and ends at the Diretissima. Road To Mars has a few connector trails that split off to allow nice walking loops.
Old Guy Ripper Trail
This is a great trail that winds along a draw to get you up to (or down from) Old Chevy Trail.
OGR intersects with Le Petit Pass and has connectors that split off to other trails.
Seven Sisters Trail
This is a great trail to go way up, or just intersect with a nice variety of other trails. It splits off to the south about 1/2 mile from either of the two Le Grande Trailheads.
Seven Sisters intersects with Le Petit Pass, Old Chevy, Charlies and Andy’s Trails
Le Petit Pass Trail
This trail takes you up a draw to a saddle where it intersects with Seven Sisters and continues down to intersect with OGR.
Charlies Trail
Charlie’s climbs quickly via a few nice switchbacks to a saddle where it ends and intersects with Seven Sisters and Old Chevy Trails.
West Le Grande Trailhead– the opposite end of the accessible trail from Silverette
Trailhead location: ///expecting.shattering.dots
This trailhead is at the far, west end of the section of Le Grande Cannon Blvd that has been closed to vehicle traffic. It is every bit as uninviting as the Silverette Trailhead at the other end of the trail.
The Le Grande Cannon ‘trail’ is an abandoned road. As a result this is a very flat, very firm surface for accessibility. The views looking out towards the Scratchgravels and the City of Helena, and up towards the cliffs of Mount Helena are quite nice. It is plowed with some regularity in the snowy months, but can ice up in the winter and can be very muddy in the spring. Cross Country skiers use this path when the snow is fresh, and bikers use it nearly year-round.
It would be nice if the city made the gate more accessible for folks who may be mobility impaired or in wheelchairs.
Directions to this Trailhead
The parking area is uphill (south) from the intersection of Le Grande Cannon and Highway 12, just west of the Helena City Limits. There is a traffic light at the corner. A turn to the South takes you up Le Grande Cannon Blvd., a turn to the north takes you on Williams Street to the main Ten Mile Creek Trailhead.
Starting from this trailhead, you will encounter the trails in order as you scroll back up the page.