Montana
Events in this region
| City | ||
|---|---|---|
| 24 Hours of Rapelje | Rapelje | 26 Jun 2010 |
| Rawhide Continental Divide Tour | Butte | 24 Jul 2010 |
| The Butte 100 | Butte | 30 Jul 2011 |
| 8 Hours Of Labor | Butte | 4 Sep 2010 |
Bike Shops in this region
| City | |
|---|---|
| Missoula Bicycle Works | Missoula |
| The Spoke Shop | Billings |
| Summit Bike & Ski | Bozeman |
| iRide Adventures | Eureka |
| Wheatons Cycle | Kalispell |
- Mountain Biking in Helena National Forest
- Mountain Bike Missoula
- Mountain biking in the Montana Wilderness - Bitterroot Valley
- Mountain biking in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (southwestern Montana)
- Montana Wilderness - Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking with cougars and dynommite
- Montana Mountain Biking: The First Expedition
- Big Mountain Resort has a mountain bike trail map in pdf format.
| Ride Name | Type | Location | Rating |
| Alkali Creek | Mountain Bike | Billings | Moderate |
| Big Hole River | Road Bike | Dillon | Easy |
| Clark Fork River Trail | Mountain Bike | St. Regis | Moderate |
| Columbia Falls Out and Back | Road Bike | Columbia Falls | Easy |
| Flint Creek Ramble | Road Bike | Deerlodge | Moderate |
| Lake Koocanusa Loop | Road Bike | Eureka/Libby | Experienced |
| Pioneer Mountains/Crystal Park | Road Bike | Wise River | Easy |
| Red Rocks Lake Wildlife Refuge | Mountain Bike | Monida | Easy |
| River's Edge Trail | Road Bike | Great Falls | Easy |
| Two Moon Park | Mountain Bike | Billings | Easy |
| Wolf Creek Foothills Loop | Road Bike | Wolf Creek | Moderate |
Lost Horse Observation Point
How to Get There: - From the Darby Ranger Station, travel approximately 7 miles north two miles north on Hwy 93. Turn west (left) on to Lost Horse Road (Forest Road 429) and travel two miles. Turn north (right) on to Road 496. Travel approximately 3 miles to the old Camas Lake Trailhead. The turn off will be on your right at a switchback corner on the road. Park your vehicle there, bike route begins.
What You Can Do: - Continue up Toad 496 on your bicycle, to Lost Horse Observation Point, take the road to the left that is blocked with a dirt pile. It will tie in with the Moose Meadows Road, which ties back in to Road 496. Turn left on Road 496, and rise back up to the Camas Lake Trailhead.
Length: - Approximately 7 miles.
Difficulty: - Intermediate and advanced sections.
Comments: - From Camas Lake Trailhead to Lost Horse Observation Point is a steady, uphill climb, (intermediate level). The Observation point is a nice place to have lunch and take a break. The main Lost Horse drainage and South Fork of Lost Horse drainage provide a scenic view from the Point. The Moose Ridge Road back to Road 496 is a moderate steep downhill ride. The road is also heavily rutted in places, (advanced skills may be needed). This loop may be ridden from a variety of starting places.
Railroad-Daly Loop
How to Get There: - From the Darby Ranger Station, travel approximately 14 miles north on Hwy 93, towards Hamilton. Turn right (east) on the State Hwy 38, the Skalkaho Highway, and travel approximately 13 miles. Turn right (southeast) on the open area to the left or the right. The bike route begins here.
What You Can Do: - Ride your bicycle up Road 75 for two miles. Turn left (east) on Road 711, Railroad Creek Road. Follow this road for approximately 11 miles and it will loop back around to Hwy 38. Stay on the main dirt road as you follow Road 711, it has many smaller logging spur roads off of it. When you come back to Hwy 38, (it will be dirt), then left (west), and ride 5 miles down to the Skalkaho-Rye Road (Road 75). Turn left here, go across the bridge to parking area. This completes the Railroad--Daly Loop.
Length: - Approximately 16 miles.
Difficulty: - Intermediate.
Comments: - Even though this is not a technically difficult route, it is a lengthy one, so be in good physical condition before attempting it. The first half of the Railroad Creek Road is an uphill climb with switchbacks. Then it levels off on top before the downhill ride to the highway. Be careful of the vehicle traffic on Hwy 38. The dirt portion of the highway is washboarded and bumpy.
Lake Como Loop
How to Get There: - From the Darby Ranger Station, travel 4 miles north on Hwy 93. Turn west (left) on the Lake Como Road (County Road 82). Proceed 2 1/2 miles, then turn right towards campground at intersection before bridge, (paved campground areas). Continue on towards campground. Just past the fee area there are some parking lots on the left. Park in the lot closest on the campground. Bike route begins there at the trailhead or Trail 502.
What You Can Do: - Starting at the trailhead of Trail 502, ride west, following the trail above the north shore of Lake Como. After approximately 2 1/2 miles, take a left turn at the trail intersection to cross the pack bridge at the west end of the lake. You are now on Trail 580. Follow this trail around the south side of the lake. You will come out near the boat launch. You may ride the road across the top of the dam to get back to the north side of the lake. Turn left on the road that goes back to the campground, and return to the trailhead parking area. This completes the Lake Como Loop.
Length: - Approximately 8 miles.
Difficulty: - Intermediate and advanced sections.
Comments: - The north side trail is fairly level, (intermediate section) with several rock slides in the first mile. Riders may have to carry their bicycles over a few rocky spots. Don't miss the trail that turns off to the pack bridge, (if you continue straight you will come to the wilderness boundary in approximately one mile. Bicycles are prohibited in wilderness areas.) You will have to carry your bike on the approach and departure of the bridge, it is steep and rocky. The south side trail has many wooden water bars that presents a challenging ride for the mountain biker, (advanced skills may be needed). Also be aware that trail 580 may have considerable livestock use in the late summer and fall months.
