Beartrap Gulch route

4 Reviews & Comments

Trails in Route

Details

4 Reviews & Comments

Trails in Route

Details

Photos

Videos

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

Local Trail Association

More Stats for Beartrap Gulch mountain bike route

Local Trail Association

More Stats for Beartrap Gulch mountain bike route

Mountain Bike

12.6 miles

Distance

2,448 ft

Climb

-2,472 ft

Descent

1 mile

High Point

Helena classic

The upper half of the Beartrap Gulch Trail is the best ribbon singletrack in the Helena area. It flows and flows through mountain meadows - wildflower season is spectacular. Watch out for Kelly hump whoops in the tall grass at the bottom of the gulch.

The climb is mostly road grade, and not too challenging. Trout Creek Trail has a few punchy climbs at the creek crossings, but is generally mellow. Enjoy the views. The first four switchbacks of FS4119 are steep(ish) but the grade lets up a bit after that.

Park and start the ride either from the Beartrap Gulch trailhead, or at the Vigilante Campground, which is about 1/4 mile farther down the road. Ride up Trout Creek Trail for about three miles, and then climb USFS Road 138. Turn left onto USFS Road 4119. Climb 4119 until you get to the divide, ignoring all the minor spurs (4119a, 4119b, etc.). The Beartrap Gulch singletrack is on the left, just past the crest of the ridge.

Detailed Description

Beartrap Gulch is a 20303 popular intermediate route located near Helena Montana. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 746.1 with a max elevation of 2022.7 then descends -753.6.

Montana Bicycle Guild (www.montanabicycleguild.org)

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Score Time

Offic3rFriend1y (Sep 2, 2019 at 19:24)

I think you ascent and decent figures are off by about a thousand feet.

[Reply]

Bozeman10 (Oct 19, 2019 at 7:18)

Its about 2400 feet of climb according to strava.
It's a great loop

[Reply]

Sanchewy (May 30, 2021 at 17:10)

This route shows up on mobile as 3400 ft but on desktop/web it shows 2400.

[Reply]

rlun12 (May 6, 2022 at 18:40)

Just ran this and it was clear up until hidden valley road. Then we hit many large snow drifts all the way across road. Bear trap was clear the whole way down though.

[Reply]

Featured
Riding area

Helena
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Difficulty rating

Blue
Route Type

Loop
Bike type

AM, XC
Direction

One Direction
Physical rating

Moderate
Ridelogs

20

Altitude min

4,427 ft
Altitude start

4,452 ft
Altitude end

4,429 ft
Grade

-0%
Grade max

-75.9%
Grade min

63%
Distance climb

7 miles
Distance down

5 miles
Distance flat

3,658 ft

Trail Conditions

1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
All Time

Unknown
Snow Groomed
Snow Packed
Snow Covered
Snow Cover Inadequate
Freeze/thaw Cycle
Icy
Prevalent Mud
Wet
Variable
Ideal
Dry
Very Dry

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ATV/ORV/OHV Filter

ATV - 50 inches
OHV, SxS - 60 inches
Jeep - 72 inches

Max Vehicle Width

inches

Ridelog Year

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trail	date	description
Hidden Valley Road	May 15, 2022 @ 5:36pm May 15, 2022	The road is passable with snow and mud in a few spots.
Trout Creek Trail	May 7, 2022 @ 10:56am May 7, 2022	First mile is great but the last 2 have significantly treacherous and consistent icy spots.
Beartrap Gulch Trail	May 6, 2022 @ 8:24pm May 6, 2022	Dry to the top, no trees down. Judging from the snow at the top, Hidden Valley Road is a no-go.
Indian Creek Road	Aug 21, 2021 @ 8:32am Aug 21, 2021

Trout Creek Trail

Indian Creek Road

Hidden Valley Road

Beartrap Gulch Trail