Members of the Backcountry Horsemen of Montana will converge in Helena this weekend for their statewide convention to discuss, among other things, traveling the state's wild and rugged places and creating new wilderness.

The organization, which formed in the Flathead Valley in 1973, now claims 16 chapters across the state, including the Last Chance Backcountry Horsemen of Helena, the Mile High chapter in Butte, the Greater Yellowstone Chapter in Billings, and the Missoula and Bitterroot chapters of western Montana.

Neil Horne said the organization has played a large role in keeping backcountry trails passable, while helping the Forest Service maintain and manage public lands.

"Last year, we packed over 10,000 pounds of material into the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness for forest restoration projects for the Forest Service," Horne said. "If we weren't involved with some of the work, those projects wouldn't get done."

Hauling gear into the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness helped the Forest Service repair trails washed out after the summer wildfires in 2007. The local chapter also repaired a stock bridge in the Elkhorn Mountains and is gearing up for a list of summer projects this year, including work in Tizer Basin.

Horne, who joined the group 15 years ago after attending a packing clinic, said the Montana organization now has 1,200 members, with more than 20,000 enlisted nationally.

"I initially went to a packing clinic conducted by the Last Chance Backcountry Horsemen," he said. "I got to visit with some people and I liked what I saw. I've been here ever since."

Charlie O'Leary, chairman of the Backcountry Horsemen of Montana and a member of the Mile High Horsemen, joined the group in 1996 to help form the Butte chapter.

The group does much of its work on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, working trail projects in the Wise River and Butte districts, along with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

"We all work together on the Continental Divide and different segments of it," he said. "We've adopted about 50 miles of the Continental Divide Trail as it swings around Butte. There's maintenance to do, segments to do, to connect it all up."

This year, the chapter will carry out weed spraying and bridge-building projects at Humbug Spires near Butte.

During the weekend convention, however, the members of Backcountry Horsemen of Montana will consider a resolution promoting new wilderness in the state.

"There hasn't been any new wilderness in the state in 26 years," O'Leary said. "We're passionate about that. As the name suggests, we're backcountry horsemen. There are still a lot of places left in Montana that need some permanent protection."

The convention begins Friday at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena. For more information, go to www.bchmt.org or call the local chapter at (406) 459-8588.

Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com