Lowlands CDT Out-and-back

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Flow · Views

This ride is perfect for people who want to experience a taste of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), without spending all day riding a massive and contrived loop. This 5 mile section of the CDT is one of the best sections between Butte and Helena. It has sections of tall forest as well as high open meadows where you get some great views of the surrounding mountains. This part of the trail has been well built, and has moderate gradients, and an overall smooth trail surface with nice flowy corners.

There are two different ways to get here from Butte, and both take a similar amount of time. Option 1 is to take Browns Gulch Rd North from I-90 just west of Butte. After about 4 miles you turn Right onto Hail Columbia Gulch Rd and follow it for almost 8 miles. This is the scenic route, and the road can get a little rutted or muddy at certain times of year. Option 2 is to travel North of Butte on I-15, and take exit 138 and head west on Lowland Rd. Follow signs for Lowland Campground and Hail Columbia Gulch Rd. Once arriving at the campground, continue another 3/4 mile up the road until the CDT crosses the road at its highest point.

The ride starts on Hail Columbia Gulch Road, not far South from the Lowlands Campground. There is no official parking lot here, although there is plenty of space to pull over on the side of the road. There will be 3 major climbs on this ride, 2 on the way up, and 1 on the way back. The first climb starts almost immediately out of the gate, but is made easy by nice long switchbacks. You'll know you are getting close to finishing the first climb when you get to the top of the first big meadow, which is a great place to catch your breath and get some photos.

For the next couple of miles, which include a 300ft descent, the trail traverses and undulates across the side of the mountain, and it is both really cool riding and also very pretty. After that you have your second uphill which is quite similar to the first one. The turn-around point marked on this route is simply at the trail's apex or "summit", but there is nothing else special about this point, apart from a small fence style. For those who would like even more views, the option exists continue another mile until the trail comes into another large clearing.

Once you turn around you'll have 2 fun descents separated by the final ascent. The descents can be very fast, just watch your traction on the corners as dry conditions combined with tree debris can make it rather loose. The final ascent, although the shortest, is also the steepest and it will be the perfect place to use up any remaining energy you have before the final descent down to Hail Columbia Gulch Rd.