Trail Run Project Logo

Connecting the Sapphire Crest to the Valley Bottom


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.0

Miles

8.1

KM

78%

Runnable

8,445' 2,574 m

High

7,822' 2,384 m

Low

1,054' 321 m

Up

1,432' 436 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Unknown

Description

I was going to describe this as a working downhill, then I looked at profile and discovered its only barely downhill over its whole length. Funny thing how memory works. I always imagined it was more down than up, maybe it's because the singletrack is mostly downhill and the rolling uphill parts are more doubletrack.

Regardless, it's a fun ridge crest connecting Bitterroot - Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 to Willow Creek Trail #300 and eventually the valley floor, something not many can claim to have done.

The trail is a continuation of Palisade Trail.

Consider this as an alternative to Sapphire Crest as we are having a hard time keeping Bitterroot - Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 clear of trees beyond Dome Shaped Mountain, and the shuttle is much shorter for this option.

From the Bitterroot - Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 (as mapped), the trail starts with a mile of sweet steep loamy singletrack. Where the trail turns to doubletrack, the Dam Lake Trail #88 splits off to the left. Keep right and continue along the ridge. Despite being doubletrack there are a few punchy climbs. After about the second climb, runners will pop up on a knoll and the trail will fade away.

Keep going in the same directions and the trail should reappear soon as it leads into a steeper descent. At the bottom the trail veers off the doubletrack. Stay on the doubletrack which is Alternate Palisades Trail #44. You'll run past Skalkaho/Little Burnt Fork Trail #149 and Skalkaho - Gird Trail #86 without ever noticing them. They are unmarked and not obvious. After some more climbing and another short downhill there will be a trail that heads straight while the doubletrack curves right. This is your trail. Climb it to reach the descent to Willow Creek Trail #300.

Contacts

Shared By:

Lance Pysher

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#31163

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#635

in Montana

#31,163

Overall
2 Views Last Month
340 Since Oct 6, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.