3.6 miles
Distance
1,680 ft
Climb
01:13:38
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Wheeler Gulch Trail

Wheeler Gulch Trail Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Northern Gallatin Range
    Bozeman, Montana
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (3 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • TTFs on Trail
    Jump
  • Global Ranking
    #14880 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #63941 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 35 in Trail Running
    • 50 in Hiking
  • Land Owner

This ride starts at the beginning of the Wheeler Gulch trail, which branches off of the South Cottonwood Creek Trail about 2.6 miles from the trailhead and parking area.

If you head up South Cottonwood Creek Trail for about 2.6 miles, you'll see the turn on the right for Wheeler Gulch Trail.

The up and down nature of riding the South Cottonwood Creek Trail changes character on the Wheeler Creek trail, where you'll climb for about 3.8 miles.

The first mile or two is beautiful, smooth trail in the woods. It looks like some people use it for freeride/downhill, so keep an eye up the trail.

After that, you'll hit some rocky switchbacks for what feels like a long way. Enjoy the views, because they are few and far between, but they are breathtaking.

Once you hit the saddle below Wheeler Peak, the trail switches from rough singletrack to a fire road. I think most people stop here, but I felt like I was cheating if I didn't hit the high point of the saddle. To reach the summit, head up the road a little more and take a right. You'll come to a clearing in the woods and BOOM You made it! While not spectacular, the summit is a satisfying end point.

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Wheeler Gulch Trail mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    1,682 ft
  • Altitude min
    5,991 ft
  • Altitude max
    7,673 ft
  • Altitude start
    5,991 ft
  • Altitude end
    7,674 ft
  • Grade
    8.9%
  • Grade max
    0.3%
  • Grade min
    32.9%
  • Distance climb
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    108 ft
  • Avg time
    01:13:38
  • Avg reverse time
    00:43:58
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jul 24, 2024
Ideal
Avg: 4.38 (7 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 wheeler-gulch-trail trailhead (45.523820, -111.059410)
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      Wheeler Gulch Trail Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jul 24, 2024 @ 4:18pm
      Jul 24, 2024
      One rather large tree down between the two sets of switchbacks.
      Jul 10, 2024 @ 9:10pm
      Jul 10, 2024
      No more trees, great shape.
      Jun 22, 2024 @ 10:58am
      Jun 22, 2024
      Riding great. One tree down near the top of the top
      Jun 14, 2024 @ 6:10am
      Jun 14, 2024
      reporter Tree free and riding great.
      Aug 17, 2023 @ 6:20am
      Aug 17, 2023
      No more mud. Getting quite dry.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 88 rides
      • 14 miles avg distance
      All
      • 561 rides
      • Last: Oct 15, 2024

      Photos

      more »
      23 |
      Jun 16, 2024 @ 8:36pm
      Jun 16, 2024
      22 |
      Jun 16, 2024 @ 8:35pm
      Jun 16, 2024
      19 |
      Jun 16, 2024 @ 8:35pm
      Jun 16, 2024
      16 |
      Jun 16, 2024 @ 8:35pm
      Jun 16, 2024

      Trail Lists

      3 Reviews & Comments


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      Mountain Biking Bozeman Montana, Wheeler Gulch...
      582 | Aug 28, 2017 , Bozeman
      Rо̄wlin'
      240 | Aug 26, 2021 , Bozeman
      Cigs and rigs
      0:06 | | Mar 20, 2020 , Bozeman
      • By lyophilization & contributors
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