Hit a couple trails (hiking with my wife) over the weekend. Both are gorgeous mountain stream valleys and have major mt bike potential for many miles of fire road access. Hard-tail or gravel bikes are perfect (the lighter the better) as the trails are pretty well kept.

Bear spray and a bell are a MUST as you travel through berry-laden bushes and sight lines can be short. Follow the directions on the spray and PRACTICE YOUR QUICK DRAW. Be able to deploy the spray with either hand without looking, cause if you’re facing a meat eater…well…heart rate 220, shit in your shorts as the saying goes…

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Rattlesnake Trail
34 miles out and back, 2800ft climbing, AMISH BIKES ONLY, NO E NUTHIN’
First few miles are VERY popular but the “crowds” (it’s Montana after all) thin rapidly.

Little Park Creek Trail
Just under 6 miles climbing (1600’) then connects to other trail systems and Lolo National Forest so you could make a day of it.
Tiny parking area (4-5 cars is pushing it) used mostly by local dog walkers for the first 1.2 miles, otherwise you are basically alone.
This is where things got interesting. Just past the 2nd switchback we had to skirt a relatively fresh deer kill (less than 48 hrs by the lack of flies and smell level). So we basically had to pass within a couple hundred yards of it 6 times on the way out and back. Did a lot of singing! Met a local as we came out near the trailhead who had heard a mountain lion about where we said the carcass was the evening before. Felt a LITTLE better.

Spring Gulch Loop is a perfect example of single track mt bike trail done right. If done clockwise, it’s a steady climb through the piny woods followed by a beautiful descent on the steeper side of the ridge. Not too tech or rough and the switchbacks and water control are textbook.

Photo taken just prior to a blackbear encounter. Sorry no pics, was busy with my bear spray.
This was our am activity.

Pm activity…



Tried to drive thru the Bison Range National Wildlife Refuge. High 90’s with a car-pushing 25-30mph wind.
The single entrance/exit from the refuge is just off camera right. We could also see big smoke in 2 other directions so decided to come back to see the bison another trip

Man! You LOOK like I FEEL!

wonky top tennessee?