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Perhaps the finest MTB ride in Montana, this purpose built trail has something for everyone.


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Map Key

16.2

Miles

26.1

KM

100%

Singletrack

3,399' 1,036 m

High

3,057' 932 m

Low

1,432' 437 m

Up

1,433' 437 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Closed after wet weather due to gumbo clay trail surface. Otherwise, no restrictions.

Overview

This ride is made great by the terrain variety, a mixture of fast flowing and tougher segments, scenery, trail surface, length, well marked, uncrowded, varied vegetation, all singletrack, and good maintenance.

Beware occasional cliff exposure in the Mayhem segments. Stay on the trail to avoid the Prickley Pear Cactus.

Description

This well-marked and easy to follow trail offers spectacular views, a good variety of riding, many miles of MTB specific trails built with the help of the Great Falls Bicycle Club and IMBA's Trail Care Crew, some cliff exposure, and LOTS of Woo-Hooo singletrack.

In general there is a parallel trail network with the more technical trails being farther down the hill and easier lines along higher ground. This can be ridden as a "loop" or an out-and-back. There are some short "trials" type riding segments at the far end (Lost Fork Loop) of the trail.

Lots of ups and downs along the route with about 1,500 vertical feet of elevation gain along the full length of the loop.

Don't miss the scenic overlook above Ryan Dam which is on a short spur off the main trail.

There is easy access to trailhead by either riding there on the 50+ mile River's Edge Trail network (www.thetrail.org), or driving northeast from Great Falls along the Giant Springs Scenic Byway.

Contacts

Shared By:

John Juras

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 10 votes

#1

in Great Falls

#2448

Overall
  4.0 from 10 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Great Falls

#42

in Montana

#2,448

Overall
5 Views Last Month
3,626 Since Jun 26, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
43%
29%
29%
0%

Photos

Shredding singletrack along Cochrane Reservoir.
Jun 26, 2015 near Malmstr…, MT
Mayhem flows along the top of this cliff
Jun 27, 2015 near Malmstr…, MT
Cochrane Dam view along the trail.
Jun 26, 2015 near Malmstr…, MT
Great Falls
Jul 13, 2015 near Malmstr…, MT
End of the South Shore Trail overlooking Box Elder Canyon and the Missouri River
Jun 26, 2015 near Malmstr…, MT
Looking down along the Lost Fork segment of the trail.  Country that hasn't changed since Lewis and Clark's days.
Jun 26, 2015 near Malmstr…, MT
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 84 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 2, 2024
Grady Bennett
The beginning black sections are AWESOME! The Lost Fork section however is badly overgrown and doesn't seem to get much use. 15.8mi — 1h 45m
Jul 17, 2018
Paul Brooks
This trail rides so well. Lost fork section is also superb. Stimulating trail riding and lovely scenery. Don’t look around too much though.
Jun 10, 2017
Thomas Glanzer
Aug 31, 2016
Holly Frank
Aug 6, 2016
Jim Hall
Great trail. Take the "high road (trail) or take the low road. In other words. Stay low (or more difficult lower black trail) or stay higher easier tr 13.7mi — 1h 35m
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