15.2 miles
Distance
2,793 ft
Climb
-2,792 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point

Great way to loop two loops together.

Detailed Description
Braggin Merlin to Ranger Strange Brew is a 15 mile popular intermediate route located near Bragg Creek Alberta. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 6 trails. This route climbs 2,793 ft with a max elevation of 5,598 ft then descends -2,792 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Bragg Creek Trails (braggcreektrails.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
donate to earn trail karma!

39 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
Schoobsy (Oct 8, 2022 at 17:38)
Trail Merlin View
Found a nice phone on bottom of Merlin descent tonight narrowly not running it over. Put up a couple signs at bottom of Braggin Rights and White Tail near parking lot. Call 306-717-0931 to describe and arrange retrieval.
[Reply]
  • + 0
jarrodNyholt9Yh (Aug 19, 2022 at 10:16)
Trail Whitetail
Much easier climb to bragging rights/long distance intersection!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
sskinner (Aug 15, 2022 at 23:10)
Trail Merlin View
I encountered a large angry grizzly bear tonight Aug 16 just up the trail for the viewpoint with the bench. I wasn’t even on my bike, so I don’t think I startled him. I had stopped to make a phone call and was about to start going again when I heard it. It was huffing and growling, charging through the bushes but eventually ran away from the trail. Reminder to make noise and carry bear spray! Otherwise was a great ride.
[Reply]
  • + 0
RickOliver (Jun 30, 2022 at 5:51)
Trail Merlin View
Agree with all the comments it should only be ridden counter clockwise. It would be way safer if that was enforced and it was signed at the bottom
[Reply]
  • + 0
Brukalski (Jun 9, 2022 at 21:13)
Trail Ranger Summit
Good condition, couple stops but good climb
[Reply]
  • + 1
probono (Jan 2, 2022 at 9:44)
Trail Merlin View
Rode morning of Jan 2. Second tracks up. Switchback climb is surprisingly not that bad. Open area below the benches is obliterated by knee deep drifts.
[Reply]
  • - 1
BradFl2flK (Jul 20, 2021 at 20:35)
Trail Merlin View
I
[Reply]
  • + 0
mantistoboggan939 (Jul 20, 2021 at 19:45)
Trail Strange Brew
Fun fast trail, flows very well for the majority after the small climb a quarter way in. Many potential natural gaps
[Reply]
  • + 0
excel (Jun 21, 2021 at 14:32)
Trail Whitetail
Better climbing trail than Bragging Rights to the intersection with Long Distance.
[Reply]
  • + 0
fisherdac (Apr 14, 2021 at 17:11)
Trail Merlin View
Best ride in west Bragg. ONLY ride counter clockwise
[Reply]
  • + 1
Jasongyip (Jan 13, 2021 at 13:35)
Trail Ranger Summit
In pretty good condition today. Some fresh snow at the top. Fun climb!
[Reply]
  • + 0
whisky (Jan 7, 2021 at 16:44)
Trail Strange Brew
Nice and grippy but, full of horse tracks that make for a bumpy, slow, uncomfortable start to decent. ~2-4 km ?
[Reply]
  • + 0
whisky (Jan 3, 2021 at 8:23)
Trail Ranger Summit
Jan 2, morning
Snow too soft. Constant momentum interruptions by hikers or coming to a halt on 3/4 of the hills due to sinking or being pulled into ruts.

Best to stick to low elevations this week with the warmer temps.
[Reply]
  • + 0
MyGirlsRock (Dec 6, 2020 at 18:00)
Trail Merlin View
Just to repeat what has been said, but is incorrect in the description, please ride CCW. Way better and less risk! of injury!
[Reply]
  • + 0
dowen BCT (Oct 16, 2022 at 1:55)
Trail Merlin View
The description is actually correct. Don’t forget, this is a multi-use trail so you could encounter hikers or horses on any part of the trail.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Gonnad (Aug 16, 2020 at 10:08)
Trail Boundary Ridge
Good condition dry and dusty
[Reply]
  • + 0
Griffink (Aug 7, 2020 at 20:18)
Trail Merlin View
Amazing trail with a fun flow section. I have rode a bunch here and it is still my favourite trail
[Reply]
  • + 0
Gonnad (Jul 26, 2020 at 7:52)
Trail Ranger Summit
If you want a quieter ride at the weekend use the trails to the south of the carpark. Rangers Summit yesterday was dry and in good condition.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Gonnad (Jul 26, 2020 at 7:46)
Trail Strange Brew
I did this yesterday. If you like roots and rocks this is the one for you, recommend going up Rangers and down Strange Brew. A few muddy patches but in good condition.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Gonnad (Jul 9, 2020 at 4:41)
Trail Ranger Summit
Wet and top film of mud
[Reply]
  • + 0
Davidbopp (May 25, 2020 at 6:46)
Trail Boundary Ridge
Lots of mud. Not possible to ride without damaging the trail.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Jawae (May 16, 2020 at 9:30)
Trail Merlin View
Trail is 90% dry. Some muddy sections.
[Reply]
  • + 0
MountainJ4Y (May 15, 2020 at 5:39)
Trail Merlin View
Some muddy areas, it should dry out by late May 2020
[Reply]
  • + 0
agiard (Oct 25, 2019 at 5:41)
Trail Ranger Summit
Icy patches for the first km then it clears up nicely.
[Reply]
  • + 0
markusarulius (Sep 20, 2019 at 6:48)
Trail Merlin View
Perfect conditions, dry and dusty with only a few tiny puddles along the downhill.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Lopht (Sep 1, 2019 at 17:07)
Trail Strange Brew
Makes Ranger Summit totally worthwhile!
[Reply]
  • + 0
Lopht (Sep 1, 2019 at 17:06)
Trail Ranger Summit
Little wet Sep 1. Nice easy consistent climb
[Reply]
  • + 0
98teg (Aug 24, 2019 at 21:33)
Trail Merlin View
Love this trail
[Reply]
  • + 0
downshift10 (Aug 7, 2019 at 20:49)
Trail Merlin View
Great trail. Perfect conditions as of aug 2019
[Reply]
  • + 0
Bretson10 (Jul 13, 2019 at 19:02)
Trail Merlin View
If anyone came across a pair of black Icon gloves could you please call/text 4038897841

Stopped near the top of the trail for a snack with my friend. Thought I maybe left the gloves behind, but she. I biked back up they were nowhere to be found.

Thanks!
[Reply]
  • + 0
powderfinger (Jul 12, 2019 at 15:46)
Trail Ranger Summit
Excellent condition
[Reply]
  • + 2
airell (Jul 1, 2019 at 12:06)
Trail Merlin View
This loop should be ridden primarily counter-clockwise (right entry to loop). Traveling this trail the other direction can be dangerous due to blind corners and oncoming traffic.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Jugheed (May 14, 2019 at 21:15)
Trail Strange Brew
May 14, Trail is in pretty good shape.
Unfortunately can’t say the same for the Baruch’s Corner sign at the top lookout, and the trail-map at the Elbow junction. Somebody thinks that wrecking the signs is fun or something.
Anyway, let’s respect what has been provided for the enjoyment of the area without ruining it for everybody.
[Reply]
  • + 0
MarkruShredding (Sep 25, 2018 at 6:57)
Trail Ranger Summit
Sept 24 trail in good condition but wet and greasy in many areas.
[Reply]
  • + 2
binthefreerider (Aug 28, 2018 at 9:46)
Trail Merlin View
best in west bragg
[Reply]
  • + 0
Lenniee (Jul 10, 2018 at 14:24)
Trail Boundary Ridge
Bad trail fell off so many times needs a new everything I rate it 1/10
[Reply]
  • + 0
rcaughlin (Aug 18, 2017 at 5:16)
Trail Ranger Summit
Long climb that doesn't stop until the top.
[Reply]
  • + 0
bigdog48 (Jul 27, 2017 at 20:35)
Trail Merlin View
Favorite go to trail.
[Reply]
  • + 1
EVdad (Apr 12, 2015 at 7:22)
Trail Boundary Ridge
Trail mostly damp with occasional muddy patches and many dry areas.
[Reply]





Trails in Route

Strange Brew2 miles
Boundary Ridge4,429 ft
Ranger Summit3 miles
Merlin View4 miles
Demi-Tel686 ft
Whitetail2,093 ft

Details

  • Riding area
    West Bragg Creek
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Bike type
    AM
  • Ridelogs
    148
More Stats for Braggin Merlin to Ranger Strange Brew mountain bike route
  • Altitude change
    2 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,626 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,637 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,639 ft
  • Grade max
    -39%
  • Grade min
    35%
  • Distance climb
    7 miles
  • Distance down
    7 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile
Avg: 3.35 (3 votes)
close
  • Basemap 
  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
3D
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
Trail Last Ridden
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
  • < 2 days
  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
  • most popular
  • popular
  • less popular
  • not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches

Radar Time
x Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where riders jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
Trails Deemphasized
Trails are shown in grey.
disable
Only show trails with NO bikes.
enable

Save the current map location and zoom level as your default home location whenever this page is loaded.

Save
Trail transparency
view larger map

Photos

more photos »
39
282
722
1,021

Videos

more videos »
6.8 Year Old on Merlin View, Bragg Creek, 24' FS
6.8 Year Old on Merlin View, Bragg Creek, 24" FS
14:55 | 29 | comments: 0 | favs:
Dec 23, 2022
Merlin View 2022
Merlin View 2022
4:56 | 116 | comments: 0 | favs:
Sep 25, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Strange Brew
Jan 12, 2023 @ 4:19am
Jan 12, 2023
Merlin View
Jan 10, 2023 @ 10:22pm
Jan 10, 2023
The climb was perfectly packed snow till the bench and icy from there to the top. Descent was mostly ice with a few packed snow sections.
Whitetail
Jan 10, 2023 @ 9:34pm
Jan 10, 2023
Trail is really wide with a lot of ice, very firm. Lots of line options. Studded tires recommended
Demi-Tel
Jan 7, 2023 @ 8:23pm
Jan 7, 2023
Fat tires and studs recommended
Boundary Ridge
Dec 30, 2022 @ 4:36am
Dec 30, 2022
Mostly a luge run from the Strange Brew Intersection to the bottom (near xc/ski trail parking lot).
more reports »
  • By slish & contributors
  • #5103 - 1,183 views