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14.6 miles
Distance
2,369 ft
Climb
-2,367 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point
2 ft
Altitude change
6,306 ft
Altitude min
7,461 ft
Altitude start
7,464 ft
Altitude end
-47.6%
Grade max
40.2%
Grade min
7 miles
Distance climb
6 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat
This 15 mile loop is a mixture of singletrack, doubletrack and dirt road and follows a decent portion of the CDT. I recommend that it be ridden counter-clockwise as this will mean you have more downhill on single-track.
It could be started from many locations, but the easiest place to start is from the end of Joe Bower Rd (as shown in this route) or alternatively from Joe Bower's Saddle (where the road comes close to the trail).
The CDNST Joe Bowers to Bullion Road portion of the route is all singletrack through some very beautiful forest. At the top of the descending switchbacks you will come to an obvious trail junction where the old trail continues forward and a new trail switches down to the right. This route follows the old trail down the hill, however it is possible to continue on the (very nice) new trail and meet back up with the loop via dirt roads.
After leaving Telegraph road you begin your main climb on double track. There are a couple of un-marked trail junctions so I highly recommend consulting with the GPS to make sure you're on track. At a post with missing signs you will take a hard left straight up the hill for a killer of a climb.
You will eventually be rewarded with some gentler gradients and some nice views as the trail traverses around the side of Mt Bison, before joining back up with the CDT and dropping back to the start.
From the sign at Joe Bower's Saddle: "This loop trail represents the vision of southwest Montana hikers, horsemen and women, mountain bikers and conservationists working together to build and protect a trail system along the Continental Divide between the Pintler Wilderness Area and offering quiet trails and open spaces for everyone."
Detailed Description
Bison Mountain Loop is a 15 mile less popular intermediate route located near Elliston Montana. This mountain bike primary route can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 7 trails. This route climbs 2,369 ft with a max elevation of 7,663 ft then descends -2,367 ft.
Trail Issues on Route
- Closed: 1 trail (newest: Aug 15, 2026)
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Stats
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Distance15 miles
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Altitude min6,306 ft
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Altitude start7,461 ft
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Altitude end7,464 ft
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Climb2,369 ft
-
Descent-2,367 ft
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Grade max-47.6%
-
Grade min40.2%
-
Distance climb7 miles
-
Distance down6 miles
-
Distance flat1 mile
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Trails in Route
| 1,870 ft | |||||
| 6 miles | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 5 miles | |||||
| 2,854 ft | |||||
| 1,870 ft |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlue
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Route TypeLoop
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Bike typeAM, XC
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Physical ratingModerate
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