6.7 miles
Distance
722 ft
Climb
-2,333 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point

This is one of our favorite routes in Helena and is featured in Freehub Magazine's Montana Photo Book: Issue 8.3. You can mix up any of the different trails to create a perfect route for your desired time frame.

Detailed Description
Freehub Magazine: MacDonald Pass is a 7 mile moderately popular intermediate route located near Helena Montana. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 2 trails. This route climbs 722 ft with a max elevation of 6,739 ft then descends -2,333 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Prickly Pear Land Trust (www.pricklypearlt.org)
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6 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
EricJBell (Jun 16, 2020 at 16:16)
Trail Switchback Ridge Trail
About 90 trees down on the trail. Rideable but you’re going to be walking a bit of it.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Lowtech19 (Nov 3, 2018 at 12:35)
Trail Switchback Ridge Trail
This trail needs to be cleared of down trees.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sledge072 (Jul 15, 2018 at 13:35)
Trail CDNST (MacDonald Pass to Switchback Ridge)
July 14, 2018: Trail is all clear, thank you. Some nasty Hog Weed at upper section to watch out for.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Sledge072 (Jul 15, 2018 at 13:32)
Trail Switchback Ridge Trail
June 15, 2018: Trail is all clear (thank you!) except for one tree across. Lower switchbacks at end REALLY suck though, too bad, trail is otherwise awesome.
[Reply]
  • + 0
danstone12 (Jun 1, 2018 at 7:49)
Trail Switchback Ridge Trail
This is unrideable due to hundreds of downed trees across the trail as of 6/1/18. The first mile off of Rimini Rd. is semi rideable but not worth the hassle since the upper section is also unrideable.
[Reply]
  • + 0
danstone12 (Jun 1, 2018 at 7:47)
Trail CDNST (MacDonald Pass to Switchback Ridge)
This is unrideable due to hundreds of downed trees as of 6/1/18. Great if you like carrying your bike and climbing over trees though!
[Reply]





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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Priest Area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Ridelogs
    83
More Stats for Freehub Magazine: MacDonald Pass mountain bike route
  • Altitude change
    -1,611 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,804 ft
  • Altitude start
    6,415 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,803 ft
  • Grade
    -4.6%
  • Grade max
    -67.7%
  • Grade min
    44.8%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,115 ft
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Photos

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Videos

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CDT Centennials part 2
CDT Centennials part 2
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Oct 1, 2018
CDT
CDT Centennials
CDT Centennials
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Oct 1, 2018
CDT Centennial Mountains

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
CDNST (MacDonald Pass to Switchback Ridge)
Oct 9, 2022 @ 9:49am
Oct 9, 2022
Switchback Ridge Trail
Oct 9, 2022 @ 2:49am
Oct 9, 2022
Trees down in 4 sections of switchback ridge, A couple of them are tough to stop for, so keep your head up. 1 tree has been cut, but enough is still over trail and at the perfect decapitation height; careful sending it over the rock just before.
more reports »
  • By FreehubMag & contributors
  • #5313 - 624 views