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16.5 miles
Distance
2,994 ft
Climb
-3,275 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
-281 ft
Altitude change
7,353 ft
Altitude min
7,634 ft
Altitude start
7,352 ft
Altitude end
-0.3%
Grade
-54.1%
Grade max
54.2%
Grade min
7 miles
Distance climb
9 miles
Distance down
4,265 ft
Distance flat
CDT - Jahnke Loop is a remote backcountry ride that follows an amazing section of the Continental Divide Trail through the Beaverhead Mountains.
2012 saw the CDT route changed to newly constructed trail along the divide and then down to Jahnke Lake. Huge views of Idaho's Lemhi and Salmon River Valleys to the West and Montana's Big Hole Valley to the East are to be had.
This Loop follows the Goldstone Jeep Road as the "easiest" way up to the top of the divide and the CDT from the Skinner Meadows Road, climbing roughly 1600'. The CDT then follows closely the crest of the Beaverhead Mountains above the Darkhorse and Wimpey drainages before dropping into the North end of Darkhorse.
There is a steep climb back out of Darkhorse to a saddle and a view of the Jahnke drainage. The descent here is steep and can be technical, but highlights some amazing trail building, as it winds down toward Jahnke Creek.
Nearing Jahnke Creek is a trail intersection. The main route heads right and down. Taking a left here gives a worthy and short side trip up to Jahnke Lake and the old mining cabins there.
The descent from the Lake down to Skinner Meadows is straightforward singletrack. The Overland Trail begins just after the Jahnke "trailhead" and the road there. Look for an old small sign marking it.
Camping: There are many informal camping areas in Skinner Meadows. Reservoir Lake Campground is a few miles south of Goldstone Jeep Road. Bloody Dick Cabin is a USFS Rental Cabin near Reservoir Lake.
Detailed Description
CDT - Jahnke Loop is a 17 mile popular expert route located near Jackson Montana. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 5 trails. This route climbs 2,994 ft with a max elevation of 9,687 ft then descends -3,275 ft.
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Stats
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Distance17 miles
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Avg time1 hr 31 min
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Altitude min7,353 ft
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Altitude start7,634 ft
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Altitude end7,352 ft
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Climb2,994 ft
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Descent-3,275 ft
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Grade-0.3%
-
Grade max-54.1%
-
Grade min54.2%
-
Distance climb7 miles
-
Distance down9 miles
-
Distance flat4,265 ft
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Trails in Route
| 11 miles | |||||
| 21 miles | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 12 miles | |||||
| 7 miles |
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlack Diamond
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Route TypeLoop
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Bike typeAM
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DirectionOne Direction
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Physical ratingHard
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