Area outdoor happenings

WEEKLY EVENTS

Weekly Rides

The Helena Bicycle Club offers weekly mountain bike rides on Monday, weekly road rides on Tuesday and Thursday, and various rides on the weekend. To find out more, and to review of list of upcoming events, log on to www.helenabicycle

club.org.

Trolley to Trails

The trolley ride to the Mount Helena Ridge Trail begins Saturday. The trolley picks up hikers and bikers at the Woman's Mural on Broadway and Last Chance Gulch at 8 a.m., 8:40 a.m., and 9:20 a.m. and takes them to the top of Grizzly Gulch. The ride is free but donations are appreciated.

Weekly Hikes

Join the Helena Outdoors Club on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Park Avenue lot west of the library for weekly hikes on Mount Helena and in the South Hills. Call 449-7971 for more information.

Weekly bird walks

Birds & Beasley's will lead bird walks every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. The two-hour walks will vary each week. Call 449-0904 for more information.

Weekly Soccer

The third season for Helena's Over 40 Soccer Club has begun. The summer scrimmage activities take place on Tuesday's from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Siebel Fields Complex. For more information, call 442-1005.

UPCOMING EVENTS

At the Caverns

On June 18 at Lewis & Clark Caverns at 8 p.m., the park will offer its snakes of the park program featuring a demonstration on how to treat and prepare a snake skin. Call 406-287-3541 for more information.

River cleanup

On June 20, members of Adventures Unlimited and other volunteers will gather at the Missouri River below Holter Dam for a nationwide river cleanup day. Volunteers of all ages with rafts, kayaks and canoes will search for garbage and noxious weeds. Meet at the Missouri River access below Holter Dam. Volunteers will cover eight river miles to Craig. Coffee and bagels will be provided courtesy of The Bagel Company. For more information, call 465-4562.

Snow Drifters

On June 20, the Helena Snow Drifters will host an ATV and motorcycle poker ride starting at 9 a.m. Riders should meet at the Blossburg parking area on Mullan Road at Mullan pass. For more information, call 202-2044.

At the Caverns

On June 20 at 7 p.m., the Lewis and Clark Caverns will offer a guided walk to check out the newest hiking trail at the state park. The nature walk will feature wildflower-viewing and birding opportunities. Meet at the park's main visitor center. Event is free to registered campers and Montana residents. Call 406-287-3541 for info.

Trail Fest

On June 26 during the Mount Helena Music Festival weekend, bike riders will host the annual Trail Fest. Ride leaders will pick a favorite trail and lead others on the day-long outing. There's tons of riding options for all skills and interests. For more information call 443-5188.

RATPOD

On June 27, join others on the Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day bike ride, or RATPOD. To find out more about this mysterious event, log on to www.ratpod.org.

Glacier family camp

On June 27 and 29, the Glacier Institute will offer the River Otter Family Camp. The camp features hiking, wilderness skills, outdoor activities and fun evening programs. Families will learn about the natural diversity of the area, look for wildlife and make exciting discoveries along the trail. For more information, call 406-755-1211.

Enduro champs

On June 28, the members of the Montana Trail Vehicle Association will hold their first annual Rock Pile Enduro ride in Cascade starting at 8 a.m. The event is an AMA National Enduro Championship Series event. For more information call 406-899-0898.

Moonlight hike

On July 6, the Montana Discovery Foundation will host a moonlight hike in the South Hills starting a 6:45 p.m. Meet at the Lewis and Clark Library. For more information call 495-3718.

Girl Scout climbers

On July 8 and 13, the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming will host a rock climbing class. Girls in grades 2-5 will meet on July 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while girls grades 6 and up will meet on July 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All gear will be provided as well as instruction and supervision. Cost is $17 for registered Girl Scout and $22 for non-Girl Scouts. Call 800-736-5243.

Mine tours

On July 11 and Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Montana Discovery Foundation will offer tours of the Charter Oak Mine and Mill. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and provides insight into a unique slice of Americana. To find out more, call 495-3711.

Girl Scout rafting

On Aug. 4, the Girls Scouts of Montana and Wyoming will host a Missouri River rafting trip for girls grades 4 and up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All gear will be provided and professional instructors will guide the way. Cost is $22 and $27 for non-Scouts. Call 800-736-5243 for more Information.

Bike race

On Aug. 29, Conoco-Phillips is putting on the annual UPS Bike MS Tour. The bike ride is a two-day, 145-mile journey from Billings to Red Lodge. The route has fully stocked rest stops every 12 miles and there will be support and gear vehicles along for the ride. For more information call 252-5927 or e-mail heather.ohs@nmss.org.

The deadline to submit an event for Thursday's outdoors section is Monday. Send event information to mkidston@

helenair.com