rps writes:
Viperdoc wrote:
Recently, on a long cross country from Portland, OR to Wisconsin, we stopped
at Helena, MT for a gas and pit stop.

snip
Once on the loc BC, there are several step down fixes, but since we were
given the approach clearance several thousand feet high, I had a hard time
reaching the DME fixes at a low enough altitude.

snip

It was a great learning experience, but I'm not sure what to have done
differently. I already had the approach flaps out, and contemplated putting
down the gear to help the descent, but hesitated doing this in icing
conditions (what if I needed to pull up the gear again for some reason
during the approach covered in ice?)

snip

I think one of the approaches to this airport was discussed in IFR
Magazine (maybe it was IFR Refresher) some time ago. As I recall, the
article discussed a pilot who decided to do a 360 to lose some
altitude and hit some granite. Because of the terrain, the slam dunk
is all you've got there, I believe.

Having no experience with or data about the Helena IFR procedures,
but having experience with the high Sierras and Rockies, I would find
it hard to believe the someone would "hit some granite" without being
way out of bounds. I'd describe the terrain around Helena as gently
rolling, not mountainous. Even the mountains to the west are little
more than big hills.