3.5 miles
Distance
8 ft
Climb
-1,937 ft
Descent
00:36:30
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Switchback Ridge Trail

Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
    • Backcountry Ski
    • Nordic Ski
  • Riding Area
    Rimini
    Helena, Montana
  • Ref Number
    #348
  • AKA
    Mac Pass Downhill
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    DH, AM, XC, Fat
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    June - November
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Global Ranking
    #16555 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    50 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 65 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
    • 5 in Snowshoeing
    • 5 in Backcountry Skiing
    • 5 in Nordic Skiing
  • Land Owner
    USFS

The Switchback Ridge Trail is a locals' favorite downhill. It is relatively buff until the final few hundred yards. The trail follows an old road prism in some locations, although this may be re-routed in 2017 or 2018. There are a few 90-degree turns that can catch you unawares, so keep your head up. The trail ends on the west side of Tenmile Creek. You can either hop across the rocks, or ride a few hundred yards to the north where the creek flows under the road.

Please notify the Montana Bicycle Guild of any issues related to this trail.

Access Info

Most riders get to the Switchback Ridge Trail from the Continental Divide Trail: exit Highway 12 at the Cromwell-Dixon Campground, and drive up the hill to the Continental Divide overlook. The trail starts at the stairs. There is a gate shortly after entering the forest; be sure to close it behind you. As the CDT rises into an open meadow, stay left towards the trees to start the downhill. Alternately, some ride this trail as an out-and-back early in the season before the CDT is clear.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Switchback Ridge Trail multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,928 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,803 ft
  • Altitude max
    6,741 ft
  • Altitude start
    6,732 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,803 ft
  • Grade
    -10.5%
  • Grade max
    -51.4%
  • Grade min
    2.4%
  • Distance climb
    417 ft
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    92 ft
  • Avg time
    00:36:30
  • Avg reverse time
    00:00:58
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jun 23, 2024
Dry
Avg: 4.41 (6 votes)
Your vote: 0

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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
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      Directions to switchback-ridge-trail trailhead (46.520740, -112.293180)
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      Switchback Ridge... Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jun 23, 2024 @ 2:16pm
      Jun 23, 2024
      		 Still trees down above first mile or so from the bottom. Looks like there's been recent progress though.
      Jun 5, 2024 @ 8:54pm
      Jun 5, 2024
      		 Still lots of trees down but the MCC crew is doing great work! A couple miles left so maybe a week or two?
      Jun 25, 2023 @ 3:00am
      Jun 25, 2023
      		 A few fallen trees but also crazy fun downhill
      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...
      Oct 5, 2022 @ 3:04pm
      Oct 5, 2022
      		 About a half dozen trees on the trail.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 0 rides
      •  
      All
      • 34 rides
      • Last: Nov 1, 2024

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Photos

      more »
      23 |
      May 20, 2024 @ 11:51am
      May 20, 2024
      44 |
      Sep 22, 2023 @ 6:45pm
      Sep 22, 2023
      64 |
      Sep 19, 2020 @ 5:15pm
      Sep 19, 2020
      95 |
      Aug 6, 2019 @ 6:57am
      Aug 6, 2019

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