Level: Intermediate
Length: 6 mi (9.7 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Lariat
Elevation: +659/ -559 ft
Total: 36 riders
Mountain Biking Woods Gulch
#14 of 265 mountain bike trails in Montana
The fun to work ratio on this trail is very high. Although you start with nearly 3 miles of steady climbing, the grade is never severe and, before you know it, you're at the top. Pick up a map at the trailhead and start climbing the gulch. At about a mile, you may see a trail back and to your left--ignore it--this is where you'll come out later. After about a mile and a half you'll come to a trail junction(513.2). Stay left to remain on this loop. Follow the trail until it reaches a dirt road and go left. After 0.7 miles on the doubletrack, look left for a trail dropping into the woods. This is where the fun begins. The start of the descent has fantastic flow through the woods and you can really enjoy some speed. Then it gets steeper and more technical. There's one rock drop lying in wait to catch the unwary and unskilled. Eventually, you will merge with the trail you started on as you were climbing the gulch. Turn right and plummet back to your car--carefully, however, as this trail is also popular with hikers/dog=walkers.
First added by John Fisch on Feb 18, 2008. 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.
From Missoula, head north on Van Buren. Van Buren becomes Rattlesnake. At a 4 way junction (2.2 miles north of Broadway on Van Buren/Rattlesnake), turn right to remain on Rattlesnake. After another 1.8 miles, go right on Woods Gulch road (left is Sawmill Gulch Road). Go up about a half mile and look for the trailhead. There are a couple parking places very close to the trailhead. If they're taken, continue up to the parking area where you will have to double back down to start your ride (and, of course, climb back up to finish your ride).
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This is about as fun a little 5-mile loop as you'll ever find. It's also one of those rare trails that can satisfy riders of mixed ability. There's a climb, but it's not a killer. There's narrow, twisty singletrack, but it's not threatening. There's a sweet descent, but it's not dangerous--just be ready for that one drop mentioned in the description. There's a lot of variety packed into a compact area and, if you wan't more miles, you're adjacent to the rest of the trails in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. * Review edited 9/27/2011
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