Dry Mountain Loop route

This loop, although rather difficult, is a great way to see the eastern side of Pipestone, and it provides some of the best views you will find in the area. It also passes by what may be the most popular attraction in Pipestone: The Ringing Rocks. The main climb of the route is rocky and summits Ratio Mountain and is challenging for all but the strongest climbers. This is followed by a long and extremely steep and loose downhill. It would be impossible to ride up this section, so follow the route direction (counter clockwise) otherwise you are in for a bad time. There is not a lot of shade on this route, so be prepared and bring plenty of water. Most of this route is open to motorized users, so by modifying the southern portion of the route it would be possible to do on a dirtbike or ATV.

The route starts at a parking area directly on the Ringing Rocks Access Road. The start may be a little confusing but you will end up riding up a narrow doubletrack that undulates along a cool ridge, before cruising down towards the boundary of BLM land where BLM 4 meets Sheep Camp Road at Tippet Place. There are places for camping/parking, and a gate.

Heading north on the road, it starts off relatively easy and gets more rough the further you go. At a small river crossing you will join FS 8600 and the real fun starts where the trail narrows, steepens and takes you to your highpoint, where there are great views on either side, and you will have definitely earned them.

The descent from the highpoint is kinda gnarly, think loose rocks and hands on brakes for 2miles straight, not recommended for nervous riders.

At the bottom of FS 8599 you will junction and turn left on FS 173 where your life will be much easier. There is a small river crossing after about a third of a mile, after which the road it suitable for SUV's. After about 2.75 miles you will pass some old rundown log cabins, before the road goes up and over a 300ft high hill. Just after mile 5 and just before the road drops through another patch of trees you leave the road and continue straight on a fun and casual piece of singletrack called the Windmill Trail because it passes by a house with a wind turbine.

Windmill trail comes out at BLM 6 which is a sandy 4x4 road where you have a couple of options. The route I have mapped takes you to the Ringing Rocks, and back to the start via BLM 5 and BLM 3 Doubletracks. Another option, if you would like to ride more single track is to jump on BLM 9 (not far from where Windmill comes out) and Dry Creek. You can then return via BLM 16 and BLM 1, or take the Tunnel to Road singletrack to the Delmoe Lake Road and back along that.