Distinctly Montana Magazine

BIG SKY 5. MOUNTAIN: The Wapiti Loops in the Taylor Fork have several riding options depending on how much time you have. Park at the Wa- piti Cabin about six miles up the Taylor Fork Drainage on Little Wapiti Rd. Start up the “Oil Well Road” until it intersects the Slide Creek trail. Say right and follow the ridge; don’t forget to take in the views of Skyline Ridge and the Taylor- Hilgard Wilderness Unit. At the Little Wapiti Trail junc- tion you can descend through the forest and out Little Wa- piti Creek for a total distance of 14 miles, or if you’re the more adventurous type, you can continue along the ridge to Pika Point or Carrot Basin. The terrain gets increasingly wild the further you go. Bring bear spray, as this is serious grizzly country. TOM OWEN, OWNER OF GALLATIN ALPINE SPORTS, recommends that tourists try the old logging roads first to test their ability. The store has maps and runs full day and half-day tours. Owen says that people from cities are used to designated trails but that when riding in the mountains, you get the pleasures of seeing meadow flowers, solitude, and satisfying exercise. DILLON 6. ROAD: RATPOD – Hands down one of the best road rides in Montana! The 130-mile Ride-Around-the-Pio- neers-In-One-Day fundraiser for Camp Mak-A-Dream takes you through the heart of the Pioneer Mountains. “We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary this year and hope to raise $2million to fund cost-free camp expe- riences for young people with cancer,” says Jennifer Benton, Event Direc- tor. “Every year people come back to enjoy the incredible views and communities along the way.” Riders travel through open rangeland, towering pine forests, and along the Big Hole River. The event is capped at 650 riders and usually fills on the first day of registration. For the cyclist seeking a real, DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Pedal over and check out more biking Go to www.distinctlymontana.com/bike113 self-supported adventure – outside of the official RATPOD event – campgrounds in the Pioneers offer opportunity for a multi-day tour once the road opens. Detailed directions and event information can be found at www.ratpod.org. HAMILTON/BITTERROOT VALLEY 7. MOUNTAIN: The Warm Springs Ridge ride begins at Lost Trail Ski area and runs 25 miles up the service road, across Warm Springs Ridge and Porcupine Saddle, out Warm Springs Creek and back on Hwy 93. Suitable for nov- ice to expert, it has several places along the way to shorten the loop and “escape” if the weather gets bad or you’re feeling the previous night’s festivities a little more than you thought. “Best single track in the area,” according to the kind folks at Valley Bikes in Hamilton, “high elevation, alpine views, smooth meadows, sections of tight technical switch- backs and fast, fun descents.” Stop into Valley Bikes or Red Barn Bicycles and they’ll show you where to go. RATPOD race outside of Dillon www.distinctlymontana.com JOHN BELOBRAIDIC 21

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