Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/690345
D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 6 44 RIMROCK TRAIL BILLINGS (MOUNTAIN) WHAT: A 4.5 mile mountain bike ride with options suitable for all skill levels and views everyone will love. WHERE: Just outside of Billings. Ride from town via the Swords Park/Black Otter Trail from Boot Hill Cemetery (corner of Airport Road and Main Street). en head to Zimmerman Park, where the easiest portions of the Rimrock trail are accessible. WHY: Billings' "Little Moab" features paved trail, slick rock, and an odd mixture of urban and rural. OF SPECIAL NOTE: On a clear day, you can't see forever, but you can spot five mountain ranges: the Pryors, Bighorns, Beartooths, Snowies, and the Crazies. THREE FORKS LOOP THREE FORKS (ROAD) WHAT: is approximately 60-mile road ride starts and ends in ree Forks. It features miles of riding alongside the Jefferson River as well as gentle climbs among isolated ranches and their fields. WHERE: Starting in ree Forks, the ride follows Route 2 along the Jefferson River past the Lewis and Clark Caverns until reaching Caldwell. e ride than turns southeast and follows Route 359 to US 287 just north of Harrison. Take US 287 back to ree Forks. WHY: An intermediate road ride. During the Jefferson River portion, riders may well see pelicans and other river fowl by the river. On the arid prairie land you'll see antelope as well delightful views of surrounding mountain ranges. WEST YELLOWSTONE LOOP PAST QUAKE AND HEBGEN LAKES (ROAD) WHAT: Affectionately dubbed the "Tour de Quake" by a local bike club, this approximately 60-mile loop takes riders across two mountain passes and two lakes: Quake Lake (formed by the 1959 earthquake) and Hebgen Lake. WHERE: e ride starts in West Yellowstone and follows US 20 into Idaho and over the Targhee Pass until the junction with Idaho/Montana Route 87. e ride then follows Route 87 over Reynolds Pass to the junction of Route 287. It then continues on US 287 past Quake Lake State Park, along the shores of Hebgen Lake, before turning south and returning back West Yellowstone. WHY: is trip is hilly to rolling. e two passes — Targhee and Reynolds — are mellow climbs. ~ This article is based on research by Jenny McCune 8 9 10 CHUCK HANEY PHOTOGRAPHY / WWW.CHUCKHANEY.COM Rimrock Trail in Billings