27.0 miles

Distance

4,188 ft

Climb

-4,206 ft

Descent

1 mile

High Point

-18 ft

Altitude change

4,665 ft

Altitude min

4,722 ft

Altitude start

4,705 ft

Altitude end

-0%

Grade

-62.4%

Grade max

44.3%

Grade min

12 miles

Distance climb

14 miles

Distance down

1 mile

Distance flat

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. There is also the option with a short detour to visit one of Pipestones most popular attractions: 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. Head north on the road and just before the road heads down a short hill to the left continue north on BLM 3, a sandy but easy doubletrack that can get a little muddy in the spring. After about a mile, BML 3 will start getting steeper before arriving at a very obvious junction with BML 5. The left side of BLM 5 goes all the way up the Ringing Rocks, and can be used as an alternative descent on your way back down. For now we will head to the right where the steep winding trail leads us to the top of a ridge and the junction with BLM 4. A left turn on BLM #4 will take you just a little higher, before turning eastward and straight down to join Sheep Camp Road.

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 becomes very loose in places. It leads up to a saddle after which there is short but extremely steep descent. This is the steepest part of the whole course and is a good litmus test for what's ahead - if you are comfortable staying on your bike down here, then you will will have no trouble later. After this, there is more ascent, and although it's no walk in the park, it isn't quite as steep and loose as what came before it.

The descent from the highpoint is a little spicy, 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 options. The route that I have mapped I think is the most fun option because it continues on fun singletrack. It takes BLM 9 (not far from where Windmill comes out) and Dry Creek. You then return via BLM 16 which includes a rather steep pumpy climb to begin with, then BLM 1 which has some fun ups and downs.

Another option is to visit the Ringing Rocks via BLM 6, then back to the start via BLM 5 and BLM 3 Doubletracks.

Detailed Description

Dry Mountain Loop is a 27 mile popular expert route located near Whitehall Montana. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 6 trails. This route climbs 4,188 ft with a max elevation of 7,199 ft then descends -4,206 ft.

Local Trail Association

Highlands Cycling Club (www.bikebutte.org)

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Trail Products

MTB MT License Plate & Other Gear
Other

Stats

Distance

27 miles
Avg time

6 hr 28 min
Altitude min

4,665 ft
Altitude start

4,722 ft
Altitude end

4,705 ft
Climb

4,188 ft
Descent

-4,206 ft
Grade

-0%
Grade max

-62.4%
Grade min

44.3%
Distance climb

12 miles
Distance down

14 miles
Distance flat

1 mile

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Trails in Route

	BLM 3				1 mile
	FS 8600				4 miles
	FS 8599				1 mile
	Windmill				1 mile
	Dry Creek				1 mile
	BLM 1				1 mile

Details

Riding area

Pipestone
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Other Activities
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
Difficulty rating

Black Diamond
Route Type

Loop
Bike type

AM, XC
Direction

One Direction
Physical rating

Hard

Directions

Walk north on Access Road.
Continue for 300 meters.
Walk north on BLM 3.
Continue for 500 meters.
Walk northeast on BLM 3.
Continue for 800 meters.
Walk north on BLM 3.
Continue for 800 meters.
Walk northwest on BLM 3.
Continue for 30 meters.
Turn right onto BLM 5.
Continue for 1 kilometer.
Walk north on BLM 4.
Continue for 100 meters.
Walk east on BLM 4.
Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
Walk north on Sheep Camp Road.
Continue for 8 kilometers.
Walk east on Sheep Camp Road.
Continue for 80 meters.
Bear left onto FS 8600.
Continue for 7 kilometers.
Walk northwest on FS 8599.
Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
Walk southwest on FS 173.
Continue for 9 kilometers.
Bear left onto Windmill.
Continue for 50 meters.
Walk south on Windmill.
Continue for 2 kilometers.
Walk southeast on BLM 6.
Continue for 200 meters.
Walk south on BLM 9.
Continue for 200 meters.
Keep right to stay on BLM 9.
Continue for 100 meters.
Walk west on BLM 9.
Continue for 700 meters.
Walk southeast on Dry Creek.
Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
Walk south on Dry Creek.
Continue for 700 meters.
Walk southeast on BLM 16.
Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
Walk northeast on Access Road.
Continue for 700 meters.
Walk southeast on BLM 1.
Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
Walk north on Access Road.
Continue for 50 meters.

trail	date	description
Windmill	Sep 20, 2025 @ 8:05pm (America/Denver) Sep 20, 2025
FS 8599	Sep 20, 2025 @ 8:03pm (America/Denver) Sep 20, 2025
FS 8600	Sep 20, 2025 @ 8:03pm (America/Denver) Sep 20, 2025
Dry Creek	May 10, 2023 @ 7:57am May 10, 2023	Mostly dry. Some puddles in places that are easy to ride around.
BLM 3	Apr 11, 2023 @ 7:11am Apr 11, 2023	totally dry except one small creek crossing.