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Bozeman, MT: Mile Creek to Sheep Creek
Get up close and personal with Big Sky Country on this quintessential (and difficult) Montana ride that crisscrosses the Continental Divide and drops through majestic mountain scenes.
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| Author: | Bicycling Magazine |
| Activity: | Mountain Biking |
| State: | Montana (MT) |
| Distance: | 25.22 mi |
| Difficulty: | 9 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
The skies are big and the mountains rugged on this epic, 25.2-mile mountain bike ride in southwest Montana's remote Lionhead trail system. Drop a shuttle car at the northern trailhead before starting the ride on Mile Creek Road. The route begins with a cruisy stretch along the creek before steepening as the trail enters the forest and climbs toward the Continental Divide. Power up a series of tight switchbacks to the crest of the Divide (gaining more than 1,100 feet in 2.2 miles) and then spin out your legs on the backside of the Divide for 0.3 mile before the climb amps up again. Shift to a lower gear to tackle the 12 steep switchbacks that climb to a 9,987-foot saddle—the ride's high point. At this point, most riders will have to dismount and haul their bikes down a set of tricky switchbacks that lead to a fast-paced, 8.3-mile descent to Watkins Creek. From here, the trail climbs above several more creek drainages before starting the final 5.1-mile descent to the Sheep Creek Trailhead.
-Mapped by John Parker
Editor's Note: Mountain bike trails in the Lionhead area could be impacted by the revised Gallatin National Forest Travel Management Plan. The plan currently recommends that this area be designated wilderness and would prohibit mountain biking in all recommended wilderness areas. For more information, go to Montana Land Protection Campaign and Montana Mountain Bike Alliance.
TO TRAILHEAD: Start: US 191 S to US 287 N. In 22 miles, left onto MT 87. In 4.9 miles, left onto Mile Creek Rd. Go 1 mile to parking.
End: US 191 S to US 287 N. In 22 miles, left onto MT 87. In 1.4 miles, left onto Sheep Creek Rd. Follow 2.5 miles to parking.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Lionhead Mile to Sheep Creek
| Distance: 25.22 mi | Points: 478 |
Points of Interest
LHD001
Location: 44.762946, -111.447244The ride starts 1 mile up Mile Creek Road. Head southeast for a cruisy stretch along Mile Creek. The trail steepens as it enters the forest and climbs toward the Continental Divide.
LHD002
Location: 44.729388, -111.417203Power up a series of tight switchbacks that gain more than 1,100 feet of elevation in 2.2 miles.
LHD003
Location: 44.721414, -111.402344As the trail crests the Continental Divide, the climbing briefly eases off along the slopes above West Targhee Creek. In 0.3 mile, shift to a lower gear to tackle the 12 steep switchbacks that climb to a 9,987-foot saddle below Targhee Peak.
LHD004
Location: 44.725744, -111.394415This 9,987-foot saddle is the ride's high point. The steep and tricky switchback descent that follows will require all but the most daring riders to dismount and carry their bikes for the next half mile.
LHD005
Location: 44.742496, -111.325321Turn left (northwest) and descend to Watkins Creek.
LHD006
Location: 44.772635, -111.314635After a 9-mile descent from the ride's high point, the route turns left and climbs southwest above Watkins Creek and Coffin Creek.
LHD007
Location: 44.765932, -111.333904Turn right, heading northeast toward the West Fork Watkins Creek drainage.
LHD008
Location: 44.785018, -111.365007At the top of the final climb, the trail becomes faint as it crosses a meadow. Ride northwest past a small lake (on the left) and re-enter the woods to reconnect with the trail.
LHD009
Location: 44.786343, -111.366134The final 5.1-mile descent to the trailhead starts here. Maneuver down a set of switchbacks and through a small boulder field. Note: This descent is extremely rugged; most riders choose to dismount and carry their bikes along this stretch.
LHD010
Location: 44.782414, -111.374073Turn right @ T-junction and head northwest above Sheep Creek. Optional side trip: Turn left @ T-junction and follow the 1.4-mile side trail to a scenic spot overlooking Sheep Lake.
LHD011
Location: 44.810583, -111.432610The ride ends at Sheep Creek Trailhead. Pick up your shuttle car and drive back to Mile Creek.
Nearing the Continental Divide
Location: 44.724685, -111.403320The trail cuts across a grassy meadow en route to the Continental Divide. ©John Parker
Boulder Field
Location: 44.783876, -111.372871©John Parker
Mountain Meadow
Location: 44.783282, -111.374674©John Parker
Views of Sheep Mountain
Location: 44.785582, -111.376991©John Parker
Sheep Lake
Location: 44.772148, -111.380596Riders have the option to detour to this picturesque lake. ©John Parker
Sheep Lake
Location: 44.771904, -111.380253©John Parker
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