Burnt Mountain Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

This loop is one of the best rides you can do in the Mt. Fleecer Region. Although all the trails are motorized, the use isn't very heavy, the trails are very rideable, and the views are awesome. A third of the trail involves traversing part of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Route and 3 miles of this is very nice singletrack. Although this loop could be ridden in either direction, the recommended direction is counterclockwise mainly because you'll get to ride the singletrack downhill.

This route starts at the Norton Gulch Trailhead. There are many other places you could enter the loop from (such as Lone Pine Gulch Rd or Divide Creek Ridge Trail), but this way has the shortest and most direct access. In saying that, the 1 mile section of trail between the trailhead and the junction is perhaps the most rocky and technical section on this whole loop, and starting at the trailhead means you'll have to ride it twice!

At the first trail junction, you turn left and cross a small bridge at the start of Ditch Saddle Trail. This will begin about 2700ft of almost continuous climbing which tops out along the CDT trail on the southern flank of Burnt Mountain. Most of the climbing is moderate with a good trail surface, however there are two steeper and looser sections that may have some riders pushing their bikes a little. The first is about 3/4 of the way up Ditch Saddle, and the 2nd is on the CDT, just after the trail junction where there are some switchbacks.

After the high point and a few ups and downs you'll reach the trail junction with the Fleecer Ridge trail where you turn left to stay on the CDT. A mile of descent will take you to an awesome viewpoint looking Northeast from the shoulder of Burnt Mountain, and this is also where the singletrack begins. The singletrack is well built for mountain bikes and is fast, flowy, and fun. The top half is straighter but more scenic, whereas the bottom half has more corners and is more interesting riding.

At the bottom of the singletrack, turn left to stay on the CDT which will begin climbing again. Turn left at the next two trail junctions, the second of which will be the top of Norton Gulch Trail and your ticket back to your starting point. Norton Gulch Trail is more sandy and rocky than Ditch Saddle, but it is also more varied with lots more corners, and riding it downhill can be quite fun. There are places where it crosses small meadows and marshes that are very beautiful. Down near the bottom of the loop it opens out into a large meadow that has an old stone chimney next to a small water reservoir that is very picturesque. From here it's just 1.5 miles back to your starting point.