Montana · Hiking

South Dump

South DumpPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.2 mi
round trip
376 ft
climb
5,030 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is South Dump open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

South Dump is an easy, out-and-back hike in the Helena Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana. The trail is about 1.2 miles long, with an elevation gain of 376 feet, carrying you from a low of about 4,656 feet to a high of about 5,030 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route sits within the Helena Ranger District. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 78°F in July and August with lows near 47 to 49°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 30°F and lows around 12°F. The trail is open from June 1 to October 31. The trail is natural surfaced and bikes are allowed, so it works for both hikers and mountain bikers. The McKelevey and McKelvey Trail mountain biking routes start just 0.1 mile away. Climbers can head to Mount Helena, about 0.7 mile off, and paddlers will find Tenmile Creek roughly 4 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit South Dump

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 12°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      32° / 13°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 19°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 26°

      8 wet

    5. May

      60° / 35°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 42°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 49°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 47°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 39°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 30°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 19°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 13°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Austin 1 W, MT, 10.5 mi away at 4,851 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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