Dogs Off-leash
Overview
Munger Mountain is a fun network of trails south of Jackson and Wilson. A host of routes provide several loop combinations that can be ridden in either direction.
When there's snow in the high country, Munger Mountain is a great place to ride with plenty of south-facing hillsides and open meadows.
The Munger Mountain Loop is a figure eight with two big climbs and descents in a classic alpine setting. The ride has a solid dose of dense pine and aspen groves that connect several high meadows.
Need to Know
This network of trails is shared with motorcycles from July 1 to Sept 9.
Description
Starting from the North Fall Creek trailhead, the route climbs out of the gate and quickly gets into the aspen trees found throughout the area.
At the intersection with Wally's World, stay right to ride the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. The route starts in earnest here with a steady climb through big pine and aspen forests. Settle into your saddle because there's not many places to catch your breath.
As the trail ascends the last bit of the initial climb, it breaks out of the trees and into fantastic views. Take a look back to your right, the Teton Range is visible to the north.
Wally's World continues to climb along a somewhat narrow ridge heading south. In spring, the wildflowers will be in full force.
The trail descends after reaching a knoll along the ridge. Get ready for some fun and flow that dives back into the trees before arriving at a three-way intersection with Poison Creek,Tusky Ridge, and Squaw Creek.
Stay right to continue the route on Squaw Creek. From the upper end of the trail you'll coast through a quick bit of pine trees to start, before transitioning into open meadows. The descent is a fun glide across grassy hillsides.
After crossing a bridge, the trail streaks across another hillside and then falls down another quick descent through the aspen to the intersection with Tusky Ridge.
Turn left to start the first section of Tusky Ridge. There's one short, mellow downhill to the creek before a gradual climb begins. The trail skirts a steep hillside before popping out into a large meadow. The route continues to climb a bit more before leveling out and traversing a second meadow.
Stay right at the intersection with Cosmic Carol's. Make note of this spot as you'll be back here again on the last part of the ride.
Cosmic Carol's is a short connection that screams across an open hillside above a large drainage. Stay left after riding across the creek to tackle the second big climb of the ride.
From there the route climbs parallel to the creek, crossing another earthen bridge. Poison Creek steepens as it climbs up towards the ridge, passing through large pine trees. The grade of the climb backs off a bit when it goes through a stand of dirty aspen. From here it's pretty mellow to the intersection with Wally's World, Tusky Ridge and Squaw Creek.
Most good climbs are rewarded with great descents - stay right to find yours on Tusky Ridge. The downhill rolls almost flat at first but then gradually steepens. Most of the descent sends you through a large stand of aspen, be prepared for fun a slalom through the trees!
At the bottom, hang a left and hit Cosmic Carol's again and then stay right on Poison Creek. The finale of the Munger Mountain route is an easy pedal up to the intersection with Wally's World and a cruise back to the North Fall Creek trailhead.
Contacts
Shared By:
Leslie Kehmeier
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