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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 12 mi (19.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +714/ -679 ft
Total: 11 riders
 

Mountain Biking Beartrap Gulch

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#69 of 265 mountain bike trails in Montana
#5,379 in the world

The downhill is a new trail (built in '08 or '09) that really screams. There are lots of fun curves, some
steeps, a few surprises, and some beautiful woods. Very fun! About half is newly constructed, the other
half is an old road bed converted to singletrack. Total downhill is about 4-5 miles and drops 2200 vertical
feet. It can also be done as an out and back from Rd. 4137, but it's a tough climb.

The downhill begins with a newly constructed section of fast, windy singletrack with lots of fun dips and
curves. After about 1.5-2 miles (?) of this, you come to a small saddle/mud pit where the trail makes a
hard left. After this left bend, the trail shoots you into a beautiful meadow with big views of the Big Belts.
This portion is fast and furious. The remainder of the trail alternates between old roadbed converted to ST
and recently built ST sections. Route finding is mostly very easy, but there is one hard left that you might
miss - look for a cairn on the left as you scream down a straight, steep section of old road grade about a
mile or so below the aforementioned saddle. The last mile is in the old Beartrap Gulch road grade and is
fast and smooth with some fun kelly humps. The trail ends at a fence. From here, continue straight down
to York Rd., about 250 feet further. Take a left and you're back at Vigilante camp in a few minutes. All
mileages are educated guesses.

The new trail sections are still a bit soft when wet and may have some horse damage. This trail has the
potential to be a classic downhill, it just needs a few more riders to help pack it down. Camp at Vigilante for
$5 and ride Hanging Valley the next day. Stop by the Helena Nat'l. Forest Service office (now located on
Skyline Rd. across from the airport) for more info.

First added by garbageplate on Jun 24, 2010. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
From York, MT, continue northeast to the Vigilante Campground. Ride up Trout Creek trail through a beautiful
canyon (3 miles). Take a left on the FS road at the end of Trout Creek trail, then another left on FS Road
4119. Stay on 4119 for a few miles, climbing steadily. When you pass FR 4119 G1 (there is good signage for
the roads around here) on your left, go about another 1/4 mile and look for the singletrack with cairn on the
left - it is very obvious. The trail ends at road 4137, just 3/4 mile below the Vigilante campsite.


Beartrap Gulch Trail map

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britt ballinger (on Aug 24, 2019)
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Trail conditions

Freeze/Thaw (on May 25, 2015)
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Mountain Bike Trails Near York, Montana

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Q: Can you ride horses on this trail