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6.4 miles
Distance
3,129 ft
Climb
-181 ft
Descent
01:40:27
Avg time
2,948 ft
Altitude change
6,524 ft
Altitude min
9,479 ft
Altitude max
6,531 ft
Altitude start
9,478 ft
Altitude end
8.7%
Grade
-57%
Grade max
51.1%
Grade min
5 miles
Distance climb
1,591 ft
Distance down
4,196 ft
Distance flat
01:40:27
Avg time
First Yellow Mule Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaMadison Range
Big Sky, Montana -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlue (1 vote)
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Local Popularity
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Global Ranking
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State Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat
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DirectionBoth DirectionsPopular In Reverse
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Climb DifficultyBlack Diamond
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Physical RatingHard
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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SeasonJune through September
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerUSFS
Legendary trail accessed from the heart of Big Sky Town Center or Ousel Falls Trailhead. Fairly rugged most of the time due to pocket gophers and Elk, also there's a long rutted section in the Big Meadow with runoff problems. Most people will hike a bike several sections on the way up. Screaming fast on the way down with very little climbing. Grizzly bears are proliferous. Epic views up top. If used in conjunction with Second Yellow Mule and Buck Ridge Trail, the loop is 5 Stars in either direction. Second Yellow Mule is an easier climb, but longer. Unrideable when wet.
Disclaimer
Livestock prohibited seasonally between October 15 and July 15
Trail Supporters
USFSLand Manager
Southwest Montana Mountain Bike AssociationMaintainer
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 23 rides
- 35 miles avg distance
All
- 63 rides
- Last: Sep 11, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
First Yellow Mule Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
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Activity Recordings
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Directions to first-yellow-mule trailhead
(45.240720, -111.336860)
Photos
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Trail Lists
-
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Nearby Trails
- Ousel Falls Trail 640 ft
- Ralphs Bypass 804 ft
- Ousel Falls Trail 1,654 ft
- Spruce Cone Trail 1 mile
- Upper White Fish Trail 1 mile
- By evasive
MBG & contributors - #64541 - 6,711 views
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