W Montana riding recommendations

We’re roadtripping toward the Bozone next week & other than visiting a friend in Big Sky and the wedding over the weekend, we have a pretty flexible 2 week itinerary.

There’s a lot of riding between Pocatello & Big Sky (as we head NE from Tahoe) and Bozeman - SLC (as we head South after the wedding) so any recommendations welcomed. GF is a strong rider, we like long chunky descents. Open to commercial shuttles if it’s a ride worth it but we mostly like to earn our turns.

And if any of you locals have flexibility for midweek rides & want to show us some trails, that’d be awesome. Probably stopping in Driggs to ride with a friend there.

Lionhead riding is the best. Sheep Lake out and back is probably my favorite, or Mile to Sheep if you want a big day.

If weather is marginal Pocatello is a good option, a little lower. Slate Mtn, Gibson Jack, Sterling justice, Over the top are all great. If you're in Driggs Mail Cabin to Mike Sell is a great traverse with a fun downhill finish.

And "across the street" from the Lionhead is Wolverine Basin in the Gravelly's (Wolverine->Gazelle->Gold Butte) where the grizzly bears are HANGRY but the singletrack is sublime:

https://www.trailforks.com/route/gaz...outes_featured

ETA: I'm [less] fat but still slow this summer so not sure I'd be good biking company but would be happy to set you and the missus up with a lazy river float at Big Springs [Macks Inn, Island Park ~25 mins from West Yellowstone]

I have a couple SUPs & kayaks and my fixer-upper is 2 blocks off the water.

2 hours and 2 beers, usually see moose and tons of birds/fish, a nice "recovery day" activity ;)

And BRING BEER, the ID/West Yellowstone beer options are spendy...

Indian Springs, south of Kimberly, ID is worth the stop. The peaks around Bozeman got a dusting above 9,000 but shouldn't stop you from riding anywhere.

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Originally Posted by panchosdad

Lionhead riding is the best. Sheep Lake out and back is probably my favorite, or Mile to Sheep if you want a big day.

If weather is marginal Pocatello is a good option, a little lower. Slate Mtn, Gibson Jack, Sterling justice, Over the top are all great. If you're in Driggs Mail Cabin to Mike Sell is a great traverse with a fun downhill finish.

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I’ll add to this one of my WY favorites of park at bottom of Targhee Creek, up the highway a couple klicks then CDT over Lionhead and down Targhee Creek. Stays pretty high with stellar views, climb is very pleasant for MT standards and it’s a loop! A ton more to do around West. It’s sick this time of year!


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Bring good bear spray and keep it handy!

X3 for Lion head rides. I think this is loop hick mentioned:
https://strava.app.link/595tHZtXTMb

Closer to Bozeman, this ride is awesome, add Sacagawea peak if weather is nice:
https://strava.app.link/S8nNj0GXTMb

Also love Blackmore to Cottonwood, we hitchhiked back to start:
https://strava.app.link/Lk9QAuMXTMb

Thanks y’all.

Indian Springs near Hollister is a day’s drive from here and could work well to get us close to MT. That trail network around Magic Mtn appears to be open to motos — still good for biking? Looks high enough for good van camping.

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Originally Posted by frorider

Indian Springs near Hollister is a day’s drive from here and could work well to get us close to MT. That trail network around Magic Mtn appears to be open to motos — still good for biking? Looks high enough for good van camping.

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Ya that's an excellent option for riding and van camping. Take the time to go a bit further up/ out to camp as there's a lot of broken glass and random target shooting closer to town.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Montana Rider

And "across the street" from the Lionhead is Wolverine Basin in the Gravelly's (Wolverine->Gazelle->Gold Butte) where the grizzly bears are HANGRY but the singletrack is sublime:

https://www.trailforks.com/route/gaz...outes_featured

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The lady and I were settled into camp near Gold Butte a few years ago when we noticed this on the tree across the fire from us:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4ad1268bff.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6831333d10.jpg

The scratches were still weeping sap. We slept in her Cherokee.

Came in to post Lionhead area. I see it's been covered. It rules.

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Originally Posted by homemadesalsa

Ya that's an excellent option for riding and van camping. Take the time to go a bit further up/ out to camp as there's a lot of broken glass and random target shooting closer to town.

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The sound of gunfire, off in the distance.
I'm getting used to it now.

Cinnamon Mountain Lookout trail about 10 miles south of Big Sky is awesome for the views and the ripping downhill.


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