Bearlodge Mtn Classic Epic Course

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

The Bearlodge Mtn Classic Epic Course showcases the best riding in the Bearlodge mountains. Beginning at the Reuter Trailhead, a climb up the Reuter Springs trail and an ascent of "Bitch Pitch" will bring you to the amazing Edge trail. A flowing singletrack descent linked up with the Luge trail make the climbing well worth the effort. Climb up East Fork Quarry and Sand Pit Road. Then descend down the beautiful singletrack of the South Fork trail, followed by a climb up Ogden Canyon and the Upper Ogden trails. Finish with a descent of the Reuter Springs trail back to the trailhead.

This ride links up several short trail sections into one grand tour of the Sundance Trail System. Bring a map, look for blue diamonds with a bear paw and a letter for reference. The riding in the Bearlodge is quite difficult due to long sustained climbs that are rewarded with long sustained descents. Plan extra time than normal for a set distance until you are familiar with the area. The trail markings are minimal and riding in the Bearlodge will require you to do some route finding with a map. (Or use the MTB Project mobile app!)

Start at Trail J - Reuter Springs parking lot. You'll proceed up the Reuter trail about 2 miles, take the right out of Reuter Trail and around, then go left around a corner near the water pump house (chain link fence - you'll see a tan shed). Climb across the road toward the brown wooden sign Reuter Springs - go about 20 yards and enter the singletrack to your right and ascend Bitch Pitch...A cardio climb. Upon exiting Bitch Pitch you'll see the entrance to the Trail R - Edge trail on your right.

Follow the Edge Trail, which is a mixture of singletrack and doubletrack crossings. You'll be heading south and east over buff singletrack and baby heads. You'll come out of the Edge onto Trail B - Sand Pit. Proceed downhill over two jumps and then to the turn at Trail T - Sundance. Go left You'll go around the corner and then come to a 4-way crossing with a brown wooden sign Sundance Trail and Sandpit Trail. and you should faintly see the right turn for the Luge. Follow the Luge to the watertank - its a downhill to the right onto the Trail H - East Fork Quarry, then go left, where you'll begin and ascend up the trail to the Saddle (also known as Coyote Ridge). This saddle and 4-way trail crossing provides some awesome overlooks of the Bearlodge mountains.

From this junction, head up the two-track, Sundance trail. You'll come back to the same wooden sign as before, now go left to the 2 Flat trail. It will climb using contours and you'll come out again on Trail B - Sand Pit. Note the erosion issue to your left. Head up Sandpit (Forest Service road) for 1 mile. You'll come to the entrance of Trail S - South Fork (if you pass the cattle guard you went too far). You'll then follow the trail to the pond, crossing the dam known as Box spring. Go across the dam and the creek, and go immediately right down the South Fork Trail, a black diamond 2+ mile descent. Descend down the mountain and end up at the bottom.

Note: There's a hike-a-bike at the end. follow the singletrack north towards Trail A - Ogden Creek. You'll travel north, ignoring the turns for Tent Canyon and Tent Canyon ridge - through singletrack and then descend across into the Ogden Creek stream bed. Follow the trail and head up to the left, following the trail markers. You'll then ascend up Ogden Creek trail into Ogden Canyon

Quite a view isnt it... You'll then meander your way along the trail and discover a few creek crossings, and come out near a bridge on your left. Go across the bridge and travel down the two track to Ogden parking lot. From the parking lot you'll go up the fire road, follow the road to the wooden sign and turn left onto, Upper Ogden. You'll then enter Trail C - Upper Ogden. Cross that bridge and head on up, You'll then come out at the top, and take the left onto singletrack. Stay left to go around the corner and over the road Across the Sandpit Trail/Road and down the singletrack trail to a doubletrack road. Stay on the left side, and go down until you see another fenced structure. Stay left at the structure and follow the trail to the area you connected to Bitch Pitch. The pump house is on your right and now you'll head down Trail J - Reuter Springs to the parking lot.

Bring plenty of water or purify. Best and clearest source of water is Ogden Creek. Watch for cattle pies, snakes, elk, turkeys, mountain lions, deer. If you're here during the weekend you'll likely encounter other users, such as ATVs.

Throughout the year we have florescent pink marking paint fading on the course from previous years. Expect to ride 2 hrs if you're a pro level rider, or about 4-5 hours for most intermediate riders.