Mount Helen

At 13,543 feet, Mount Helen is a summit in Wyoming. The Mount Helen Trail covers 6.1 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 157 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 43.09289, -109.63038 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 65 miles southeast of Jackson, Wyoming. Arrive early on weekends — trailhead lots at popular peaks fill quickly, and cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.

When to Go

The reliable snow-free window is roughly July through September. At this elevation, afternoon thunderstorms are a serious summer hazard — start early and plan to be off the upper mountain by midday. Outside that window expect snow travel and bring traction and navigation skills to match.

Know Before You Go

The Easy rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 2.0 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Doublet Peak, Dinwoody Peak and Mount Warren — each has its own guide on this site.