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3.5 miles
Distance
8 ft
Climb
-1,937 ft
Descent
00:31:00
Avg time
-1,928 ft
Altitude change
4,803 ft
Altitude min
6,741 ft
Altitude max
6,732 ft
Altitude start
4,803 ft
Altitude end
-10.5%
Grade
-51.4%
Grade max
2.4%
Grade min
417 ft
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
92 ft
Distance flat
00:31:00
Avg time
Switchback Ridge Trail Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Winter Fat Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
- Snowshoe
- Backcountry Ski
-
Riding AreaRimini
Helena, Montana -
Ref Number#348
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AKAMac Pass Downhill
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Difficulty Rating
-
Local Popularity65 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
- 5 in Snowshoeing
- 5 in Backcountry Skiing
- 5 in Winter Fat Biking
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Global Ranking#59394 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #298084 in Trail Running
- #289928 in Hiking
- #19817 in Horseback
- #16132 in Snowshoeing
- #6973 in Backcountry Skiing
- #30966 in Winter Fat Biking
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State Ranking#357 in Mountain Biking · Montana [+]
- #3,420 in Trail Running
- #3,456 in Hiking
- #925 in Horseback
- #455 in Snowshoeing
- #322 in Backcountry Skiing
- #839 in Winter Fat Biking
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Hiking SAC ScaleT1 Hiking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeDH, AM, XC, Fat
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlack Diamond
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Physical RatingModerate
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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SeasonJune - November
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Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerUSFS
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.
Trail Supporters
Montana Bicycle Guild
since 2017Maintainer
USFSLand Manager
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
- 7 rides
- 10 miles avg distance
All
- 47 rides
- Last: Sep 13, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Switchback Ridge... 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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- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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Directions to switchback-ridge-trail trailhead
(46.520740, -112.293180)
Photos
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Trail Lists
-
Helena's Best Descents
11 trails
-
MBG USFS website map list
6 trails
Routes with this trail
MacDonald Pass Featured
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This is one of our favorite routes in Helena and is featured in Freehub Magazine's Montana Photo Book:...
5 Reviews & Comments
chosswrangler
Rode up due to the CDT being closed. Made it 2/3rds of the way before getting poured on and turned around. All the trees had been cleared from the road to where we made it.
EricJBell
About 90 trees down on the trail. Rideable but you’re going to be walking a bit of it.
Lowtech19
This trail needs to be cleared of down trees.
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Nearby Trails
- Cdnst (switchback Ridge To Hahn Creek Rd.) 0 ft
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MBG & contributors - #53071 - 4,432 views
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